Benefits advice needed- first time claimant

callaspadeaspade

Dear moneysaving people......

I do hope somone here can help, as this is all a bit new and scary for me!

I have been on a temporay contract at work since last July, and have been unable to find full time work despite having applied for a LOT of jobs. However, I recently was offered something for 16 hours, and, knowing that my temp contract was coming to and end, took it rather than risk being completely unemployed.

I've been trying to work out online if I can claim any kind of benefits at all, as I am going to be unable to make my mortgage payments on 16 hours income. However, it appears that 16 hours is too much to claim JSA, but not enough to claim working tax credit. I belive that Income support is linked to JSA though, so I'm not sure if that is out of the picture too!

The service charge on my flat alone is £95 per month, the ground rent 17 and the mortgage £388.....so the maths is self evident. I did have a payment protection plan for the mortgage but found out that it had that many exclusions ( including temporary work) so that it was not worth the paper it was written on.

Can somone advise as to where to start? I fully intend to keep applying for jobs, but it is apparent that in trying to do the right thing, I may have stiched myself up!!

I am a single person, no children and have taken a lodger to help with the bills a bit.

kingfisherblue

Income support is primarily for single parents of young children, and for carers. WTC is payable only to people over 25, but I think you have to work 30 hours a week. Could you get another part time job to make up your income and your hours? You will pay basic rate tax on a second (and third) job, which is 20%, but without the personal allowance that you get on your first job, but it is still likely to be financially worthwhile.

Jowo_2

There's a benefit forum on MSE. Post your details there and give your age.

Evilm

For jobseekers you have to be working under 16hrs... so if you could drop an hour maybe you could apply for that? Not sure how much that would benefit you though.

callaspadeaspade

thanks.....

I have been looking for another part time job but there is nothing out there....I think the main problem is that I have both a degree, postgraduate diploma and another postgraduate qualification in a very specific area and the part-time, lower pay employers run a mile.

It really is quite silly that we have a system where it is apparent that the best thing I could have done is got myself pregnant 6 months ago (when I first knew my job was under threat) and then sat back and waited for the job to end!

I'll post on the other forum as recommended......

Thanks........