Benefits while working part time. Advice needed please.

FOXGLOVE_2

I've been working part time for past year or so while I've been studying.I foud out yesterday that I didn't get into the course I've applied for this term so was advised to contact the Jobcentre to see if I can claim Jobseekers Allowance. I have a meeting with them on Friday.

I currently work 12 hours a week in this job and my wages are roughly £330 every four weeks. I'm finding it impossible to pay my share of the rent, bills etc so know that until I can find a full time job, I do need help financially. I'm not really clued up on benefit rules or anything but someone did tell me that if I worked 16 hours or more each week, I could claim working tax credit.

I went on the HMRC website to find out if i qualify but it said I would need to work at least 30 hours a week? If I managed to get my employer to increase my hours to at least 16 hours, would this be better for me?

Having this year out from studying is gonna be hard so I am also considering a part time course that will boost my chances of being accepted for my course next year. Is part time study + part time work an option if you've put in a claim for benefits?

Stressed.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Indie_Kid

You may find that your wages are too high to claim JSA. However, you can sign on to get NI paid.

Whether you can claim tax credits at 16 or 30 hours depends on whether your disabled or a parent receiving child benefit. If neither, you need to be over 25 and working 30 hours per week.

Duncombe

FOXGLOVE wrote: »

If I managed to get my employer to increase my hours to at least 16 hours, would this be better for me?

Yes, because you would be earning more money.

FOXGLOVE_2

My tax code still reflects that I am a student and earling less than threshold so no tax or NI is coming out of my wages.

If my wages are too high then do I just have to continue as I am? What if no full time work comes my way? I can't chuck in this job and sign on, even though i would be much better off.

God, I am now dreading this thing on Friday.

aimee0763

FOXGLOVE wrote: »

I've been working part time for past year or so while I've been studying.I foud out yesterday that I didn't get into the course I've applied for this term so was advised to contact the Jobcentre to see if I can claim Jobseekers Allowance. I have a meeting with them on Friday.

I currently work 12 hours a week in this job and my wages are roughly £330 every four weeks. I'm finding it impossible to pay my share of the rent, bills etc so know that until I can find a full time job, I do need help financially. I'm not really clued up on benefit rules or anything but someone did tell me that if I worked 16 hours or more each week, I could claim working tax credit.

I went on the HMRC website to find out if i qualify but it said I would need to work at least 30 hours a week? If I managed to get my employer to increase my hours to at least 16 hours, would this be better for me?

Having this year out from studying is gonna be hard so I am also considering a part time course that will boost my chances of being accepted for my course next year. Is part time study + part time work an option if you've put in a claim for benefits?

Stressed.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

You are allowed to do courses whether part time or full time if you are claiming benefits even with JSA I am not sure in your circumstance won't you be able to go full time with your current job until you sort out your course. I too agree your wage is pretty high for TC.

Indie_Kid

aimee0763 wrote: »

I too agree your wage is pretty high for TC.

It's not - £330 every 4 weeks works out at just under £4300 per year.

FOXGLOVE_2

Duncombe wrote: »

Yes, because you would be earning more money.

I know, problem is this - working 16 hours would leave me entitled to no help? (I think) and still not enough to cover bills etc.

Indie_Kid

It depends - do you have any children for whom you receive child benefit for, or are you disabled?

Benefits_Bod

If you are not a full-time student, it seems highly likely you would be entitled to Housing Benefit.

If in doubt, claim anyway. Sure, it takes time, but it puts the council in a position where it must make a formal decision. Fully disclose all your circumstances.

FOXGLOVE_2

aimee0763 wrote: »

I too agree your wage is pretty high for TC.

Tax Credits isn't an option - been told I need to be working 30 hours or more a week. Been asking all summer for extra shifts at work to help me out but the type of work I do, some days are busy, some not so my employer just phones me day before. I can only ever rely on my 12 contracted hours.

If my income is too high for Jobseekers Allowance, would I get any help with my rent? I always thought you had to be on an income related benefit before you could qualify for housing benefit?

FOXGLOVE_2

sh1305 wrote: »

It depends - do you have any children for whom you receive child benefit for, or are you disabled?

No and no.

The category I fall into says TC only applies if working 30 hours or more so I won't be applying for it.