Life is becomming a complete mess

Indie_Kid

hobbledehoy. wrote: »

Hello,

I think I am right on this. Does your hours not have to average over 16 a week to be eligible?

Only if they have a child for whom they claim CB for, or are disabled. (there is something about being 50 plus - don't understand that one)

swingaloo

Well, an update. Today it got even worse.

I got a call from the agency saying that there will be no work for at least the next 3 weeks. Son has made a claim for JSA. I rang to make a claim for JSA but have been told that it will be a joint claim with my partner and anything I get will affect his benefit as I dont qualify for contribution based JSA.

Before getting the call from the agency I rang about working tax credits. They are sending me a claim pack but have told me that when I fill it in I have to base it on the last 12 months. I explained that I had tried before to claim but taking my partners wage over the last 12 months we would be turned down. I also explained that our circumstances have dramatically changed because he is now out of work.
I was told that I have to fill in the claim form based on the last 12 months as there is no other way to do it. Once I have claimed they will refuse it- then I can appeal and say that our circumstances have changed. I asked if I could put that on the form when I first claim and cut down on the time waiting to be refused and appealing and was told that 'No, I must go through the procedure'.
So it could be weeks before I get sorted with that!!!! Also to claim you have to be working a minimum of 16 hrs a week and now I have no hours for at least the next 3.

As far as housing benefit and council tax benefit goes- I have tried to claim on line but its almost impossible. Because my son and myself are not yet getting the JSA the woman at the council office told me to fill in the online form answering the questions as things stood today and also just to put an average of my last 5 weeks wage when entering my weekly income. (itried to explain that I will not have this income for the next few weeks but was told that I can only answer the questions basd on today) so thats what I did and the calculator says we dont qualify. It just gets better!!!!!!!


To answer the other posters -- As far as maintenance goes he is going to have to reduce it but is gutted as he dosnt want his child to suffer and as she has the most vindictive mother he knows that she will retaliate by stopping contact.


There is no point in moving, the rent we are paying is no higher than average and to be honest even if we did move we could probably only find something about £20 a month less than we are paying.
We have looked into it. There is also the problem that to move we would have to find the cost of moving, deposit, admin fees etc so its just not viable.

As far as cutting down is concerned, everything is being cut to the bare minimum but trying to keep positive.

Hammyman

swingaloo wrote: »

I did apply for JSA before I first started with the agency but was not eligible for the contribution based and did not qualify for the means tested as my partner was working then. My son has applied as he qualifies and works for the same agency but in all honesty its a nightmare. Its continuously stopping and starting the claim. If he gets more than 2 days work in the week they close his claim and then he has to start all over again. The trouble is also that you only find out if your shift is on about 3 hours before your shift starts, or if its the morning shift you get to know about 8pm the night before.
Now my partner is not in work I will try to claim again.

I was working as a HGV driver for an agency so I know exactly what you mean as sometimes it'd be a 4am call with "how quickly can you get there?" Whilst its a pain signing off and on all the time, the reclaim is a rapid reclaim and the pain is a lot less than having to struggle to pay bills whilst being entitled to benefits.

One thing is if you turn down the couple of days they offer at the agency saying how it would affect you, how badly would that impact on them offering you work in the future? I know at my agencies they were quite understanding and you'd not be penalised by DWP.

sleepless_saver

hobbledehoy. wrote: »

Hello,

And how can they claim WTC when JSA is being claimed?

See my post above "Can't apply for JSA and WTC simultaneously. WTC if still working, JSA (or possibly ESA given OP's health problems) if not working. 2