What am I entitled to?

icelandic_queen

I have been made redundant but I'm on 'garden leave' and I"m just wondering what I can claim. I'm in a bit of a pickle because my father who has MS and also prostrate cancer fell down the stairs last week and I may need to officially become his carer. My mum has underlying entitlement but she broke her arm a while ago and it hasn't healed properly so I was already a carer anyway! If I claim the Carer's Allowance will I still get the contributions based JSA and what about my child tax credits as I'm on my own with 3 kids. My ex currently gives me 100 pound a month as he has had his hours cut just before Christmas. I would really appreciate your help and thanks in advance.

Indie_Kid

If you claim carers, you can't claim JSA - to claim JSA, you must be fit & avaliable for work.

icelandic_queen

Ok. Thanks for that. Will I get just the Carer's Allowance and Child Tax Credits, if any?

Indie_Kid

You can claim income support if you meet the income criteria for it. (savings between £0 & £16k)

icelandic_queen

Thanks. My 'garden leave' runs out in the middle of June so should I go to my local office on the Monday morning or do you have to make an appointment? Sorry for so many questions but I've never signed on and it's all new to me!

sunnyone

icelandic_queen wrote: »

Thanks. My 'garden leave' runs out in the middle of June so should I go to my local office on the Monday morning or do you have to make an appointment? Sorry for so many questions but I've never signed on and it's all new to me!

For IS you need to be on carers allowance before you can claim it and that will take approx. 2 weeks if your mum reliquishes it now (you cant get it until after she has stopped getting it but an "lost" money will be repaid to you once your claimis live)

bestpud

How old is your youngest child?

icelandic_queen

My youngest is 11 in August. Will I not get IS?

sunnyone

icelandic_queen wrote: »

My youngest is 11 in August. Will I not get IS?

You will if you are awarded carers allowance, you cant claim as a single parent though because of the age of your youngest.

kingfisherblue

I'm a carer and single parent and I get income support, carer's allowance, child tax credits and child benefit. I also get help with my mortgage, don't pay council tax, and get free school meals for my kids. Although my youngest is ten years old, I don't have to transfer to JSA as I have an underlying entitlement to IS because I am a carer.

Single parents, even if they are carers, have to attend a work focused interview every six months until the youngest child is eighteen.

sunnyone

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I'm a carer and single parent and I get income support, carer's allowance, child tax credits and child benefit. I also get help with my mortgage, don't pay council tax, and get free school meals for my kids. Although my youngest is ten years old, I don't have to transfer to JSA as I have an underlying entitlement to IS because I am a carer.

Single parents, even if they are carers, have to attend a work focused interview every six months until the youngest child is eighteen.

You put it so much better than i could and as your similar situation you can give much better information.