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Am I entilted to anything

Hi I lost my Job in September last year and since have been unable to find any other work, I have also been unwell and am on antidepressents at the moment
the Doctor asked me if I needed a sick note but as I was not in work said I did not need one. I have always paid tax and NI but as I am married I did not know if I was entitled to anything, even if I was able to go back to work but couldnt find anything would I get any benefits ?
Sorry to be thick but have only ever claimed once before I was working at the time and had injured my back
My husband and I are really struggling with money and have just taked my car off the road :mad::mad:
Any help please

Comments

  • sam_star86
    sam_star86 Posts: 22 Forumite
    hi, i think you could claim contribution based jobseekers for six months, but someone more knowledgable than me will be along soon! x
  • elektra-2007
    elektra-2007 Posts: 612 Forumite
    I dont think if you are married you could claim anything, If you have children you maybe entitled to Tax credits, If not and you hustband has a low wage i think you maybe entitled to some tax credits or help with rent. If your hustband is on a good wage then prob not.
    Maybe working out a plan to cut back for a few months whilst you start to feel better then start looking for work again.
    Good Luck
  • ilovecushions
    ilovecushions Posts: 409 Forumite
    You can get 6 months job seekers. Thats it if you have no children. I'm in same position and am setting up my own business, I can't face going to job center every fortnight so am doing all I can to do something I enjoy to earn a little bit of money. It's surprisingly easy to register as self employed just two forms to fill in.
  • krisskross
    krisskross Posts: 7,677 Forumite
    you could look to claim ESA contribution based if you have the required N.I contributions
  • sunnyone
    sunnyone Posts: 4,716 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    janibrown wrote: »
    Hi I lost my Job in September last year and since have been unable to find any other work, I have also been unwell and am on antidepressents at the moment
    the Doctor asked me if I needed a sick note but as I was not in work said I did not need one. I have always paid tax and NI but as I am married I did not know if I was entitled to anything, even if I was able to go back to work but couldnt find anything would I get any benefits ?
    Sorry to be thick but have only ever claimed once before I was working at the time and had injured my back
    My husband and I are really struggling with money and have just taked my car off the road :mad::mad:
    Any help please

    Married women have the same rights as everyone else if theyve paid there NIs they can claim contribution based benefits in there own right regardless of there husbands wages etc.

    Its 2010, not 1960
    I dont think if you are married you could claim anything, If you have children you maybe entitled to Tax credits, If not and you hustband has a low wage i think you maybe entitled to some tax credits or help with rent. If your hustband is on a good wage then prob not.
    Maybe working out a plan to cut back for a few months whilst you start to feel better then start looking for work again.
    Good Luck
  • claire0710
    claire0710 Posts: 61 Forumite
    Yes, if you get a sick note from your docs you can claim contribution based employment support allowance (if you have enough NI contributions) - this is a little over £65 a week during the assessment phase which lasts 13 weeks. If the medical assessment rules you fit to work you will be moved onto jobseekers, otherwise you will stay on ESA which has 2 elements and after 13 weeks the payments increase a little.
  • janibrown
    janibrown Posts: 281 Forumite
    Thanks for everyone's advice
    Jani xxxxx
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