Confused

Mythi

Hi all

I was made redundant on 31 August, I had my telephone interview with JS on 2 September and the 'face to face' interview on 3 September. I have 'signed on' once since then and am due to sign on again next week.

When I had the 'face to face' interview the lady told me she thought I would be entitled to Job Seekers Allowance (income based) however when I did the benefits entitlement thing on direct.gov.uk it said I would be entitled to JSA (contributions based). On the basis of the interview at the Job Centre I spoke to the local County Council about free school meals and my local Council about Council Tax benefit; I was assured by both that I would be eligible to receive both of these. Today, however I have received letters stating that my JSA application has not been processed as far as they are aware and that I am therefore not entitled to receive these benefits.

I have tried to contact the DWP numerous times today but although I get connected whenever I choose option 2 (JSA) its continually engaged.

Could anyone throw any light on the following please?

How long does a new application for JSA normally take?

If I'm awarded contributions based JSA am I not be able to claim for free school meals and council tax benefit?

I've worked since leaving school at 16 and have paid class 1 national insurance since then (I'm 46 now).

I receive child benefit for my daughter, along with maintenance from my ex partner for her (through the CSA). I also receive Child Tax Credit (I have notified them of my change in circumstances)

info: I'm a single parent. I have one child of school age. I was made redundant from a full time position, I was employed by them for 11.5 years. I have a mortgage and I dont have any savings other than my redundacy pay which is under the £6,000 threshold.

Apologies for the long post but I am really confused as to what I should be able to claim.

CIS

If you currently have no/low income then you can claim council tax/housing benefit in the meantime based on your income and then put through a change of circumstances once the JSA is paid.

Oldernotwiser

CIS wrote: »

If you currently have no/low income then you can claim council tax/housing benefit in the meantime based on your income and then put through a change of circumstances once the JSA is paid.

The OP has a mortgage, so HB not applicable.

It sounds as if you'll be eligible for means tested JSA which doesn't make you eligible for anything else except CTB, I'm afraid.

How old is your child?

Mythi

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

The OP has a mortgage, so HB not applicable.

It sounds as if you'll be eligible for means tested JSA which doesn't make you eligible for anything else except CTB, I'm afraid.

How old is your child?

Thank you.

She's 15.

With regards to the mortgage, I have a mortgage payment protection policy which I am in the process of claiming against.

Indie_Kid

You might be entitled to free school meals if you receive CTC, have an income of under around £16k per year but don't receive WTC.

Oldernotwiser

Mythi wrote: »

Thank you.

She's 15.

With regards to the mortgage, I have a mortgage payment protection policy which I am in the process of claiming against.

That must be a relief! I asked about your daughter in case she was young enough for you to claim IS but that isn't the case.

Mythi

Yes a relief indeed!

Update: I've been notified today that I have been awarded CB JSA until 6 March 2011 (I hope to be in work well before then!!), I've spoken to the Council and they are looking at my application for Council Tax Benefit. I have heard nothing further regarding free school meals for my daughter.