Help! First post - advice urgently needed.

MacReamoinn

This is a first post but I'm sure that somebody has an answer for me. It was originally posted on the redundancy board but it was pointed out that it would be better here - so apologies to any moderators.
On Friday I received a rather curt phonecall telling me that the organization I provided a service for (Tuition for adults with learning disabilities) were 'withdrawing from my services' effective from this weekend. Needless to say this came as rather a shock as, given the current circumstances, this was my sole contract.
What I need to know is where should I go next? I'm married, with a mortgage and 2 children, and both my wife and I are self-employed. However, my wife's income is negligible so we couldn't live off that unless it takes off exponentially.
I need to know where we stand vis-a-vis WFTC (Which we already get) and/or benefits and what my next step should be. I've booked a meeting at the CAB for next week but would really appreciate any advice before then to (hopefully) stem the rising tide of panic.

Caz3121

how long have you been self employed and were you working PAYE prior to this. As far as WTC and CTC go there may be little change this year as we are so far into the tax year. However if you are receiving childcare funding for the children through tax credits this will stop.
It is more complex for JSA when you have been self employed - you could make a claim but whether you will actually receive any payments will depend on your NI contributions Apr 08-Apr 10 (hence the question on whether you were employed or self employed then) If you do not have the correct contributions for CBJSA then you would be considered for Income based but if your wife earns more than £102 per week there will be no payment

Aarons_mummy

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Put your details into this calculator as it will be in a few weeks and you can model roughly what you will be entitled to.

MacReamoinn

Many thanks to Caz3121 and Aarons mummy for your replies. I've been self-employed for the past 11 years so have only paid the quarterly NI self-employed contributions. My main concern is that we'll be able to get some sort of help (Mortgage Interest Relief - or whatever it's called) with our mortgage. Obviously, if there's a way round this without signing on I'd be more than happy as I'm aware that both of us being self-employed is a headache vis-a-vis JSA, etc.

Oldernotwiser

Your eligibility for means tested JSA will depend on the amount of your wife's income and your eligibility for help with mortgage interest (SMI) will depend on whether you can claim means tested JSA. In any case, you won't get this help for the first 13 weeks, so you'll need to contact your lender.

cavework

Did you have a written contract with the client who has terminated your services stating a required notice period?

MacReamoinn

Again - thanks to oldernotwiser and cavework for replies. Sadly there was no written contract between us apart from an initial agreement that either party could withdraw from the contract. Whether that would normally include an (unspoken) 'reasonable notice' period is a moot point and, hopefully, one the CAB can answer.