Wife losing job...What do we claim for?

karenx

You cant claim income support no, thats for lone parents and sick/disabled.
She can claim JSA if she loses her job but she will have to be seeking full time employment to get this.
Why would you want to work less hours if your partner is not working? Surly that should mean you work more to make up for lose in income

mrcow

trw wrote: »

As for me yes i can get 20 hours in, however thats not enough to live on. I have been looking for a day job for months and nothing. I apply for at least 1 a day and still nothing, Couple of job interviews here and there but no luck yet. The problem is saturday night, because we will both need to work it. Otherwise we could of worked around it. So you see the problem.
Please don't say to me "Well you could of looked for a job ages ago". I have, i don't want to be in this position but I am. I have been looking but unfortately its too late now, so again help!!!

Maybe you need to have another look at your CV and how it comes across to employers.

Also, perhaps you need to have a rethink about what type of work you are looking for. Broadening your horizons a little could mean that a lot more jobs come up on the radar.

What type of work do you do, have you done in the past. How many years experience do you have?

trw

I persoanlly think my CV is good and so do other people. I'm applying for most jobs out there. Problem is I dont have any experience in retail or office or anything, just security. Ive tried getting a day job doing that, doesn't seem to be any. I don't know about the 16 hours thing, I thought if I worked under 16 hours you are entitled to something? Sorry if that sounds silly, I really dont no much about benefits. So is JSA all shes entitled to? What about some sort of tax credits or help with the rent?

mrcow

trw wrote: »

I thought if I worked under 16 hours you are entitled to something?

If you work OVER 16 hours per week then you may be eligible for working tax credit. Is that what you're getting confused with?

mrcow

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_and_tax_credits_for_people_in_work.htm#working_tax_credit

mrcow

Also, are you currently getting any child tax credit?

If not, you need to look at applying for this.

trw

I get working tax credits and she gets child tax credits. So if she does lose her job, shes entitled to Child tax credits (which already claiming) and JSA?

zzzLazyDaisy

If she was working days before she went on maternity leave, then she is entitled to return to the same job when she goes back. She also has the right to ask for her hours to be adjusted to accommodate her child care responsibilities.

Speak to ACAS they will explain her rights.

Other suggestions: you could get a full time job to support your wife and child and/or she could look for another part-time job in the day time.

If you need help working out what benefits you will be entitled to if she stops work and you continue to work part-time hours, put your details into entitledto.com and it will give you a pretty fair idea.

Alternatively the CAB will do the calculation for you.

Indie_Kid

That depends if she's paid enough NI in the last 2 tax years.

Tigsteroonie

I can't see that anybody else has suggested this ....... Have you tried putting your situation & income figures into http://www.entitledto.com , this would advise you approximately what amount of tax credits you should receive, and also any entitlement to Housing Benefit to assist with the rent.

(LazyDaisy posted it while I was writing!)