Who is best for first time benefits application advice???

missyp123

Hi there,

We have never been on benefits before (apart from the £20 odd pound we get pr wk for child benefit) but my husband may be out of his job soon. We have been searching and applying but nothing .

I have just finished my non payed training in health care and am waiting to be cleared for shifts so am not earing as yet.(Am on a year's leave from university and return in October 2012).

We may need to apply for housing benefit and whatever else we may be entitled too if nothing comes up.

I know the job centre deal with benefits however my in laws had to apply earlier this year (for the first time too), they are both 60 and the job centre really messed them around.
Every bit of info they got from one person was wrong when they spoke to someone else, proof sent in the post and by hand went missing, when they called to make a small change the computer never got unpdated and there claim was stopped etc etc

Is there anyone else who come recommended that could explain what we are entitled to, and at what point we can claim?

I am getting incresingly worried as time goes by, we have been through the worst time over thet last 2 years and now were having to worry about paying the LL and how we are going to feed ourselves.
We have no back up (eg credit cards etc) incase there is a gap in paments? what do we do

Any help please?

karenx

Google entitled to, and pop your details into there as if your partner is not working and it should tell you what you are entitled too

lightning15uk

hi

the best place i ahve found for information was by ringing the benefits advice line 0800882200 they were really helpful and you do not need to give them personal information just give them your circumstances, i hope this is of some help to you.

missyp123

thank you both, i will do both of these, glad i have this site for help!

suelees1

lightning15uk wrote: »

hi

the best place i ahve found for information was by ringing the benefits advice line 0800882200 they were really helpful and you do not need to give them personal information just give them your circumstances, i hope this is of some help to you.

not always, it depends who you speak to.

If you're both well one of you needs to claim Jobeekers Allowance for the two of you by ringing 0800 055 66 88 where they will take your claim over the phone. This is also the first port of call for housing benefit (if you're in rented property) and council tax benefit. You should also let the Tax credit office know of your change as I assume you're claming that already by mentioning child benefit. if not you need to claim it by asking for a claim form 0845 300 3900.

Whatever you need to provide try to get a receipt. You really do need to keep on top of it, as you mention a lot of things can go wrong even though it should be straightforward.

If it's mortaged property you claim additional JSA after 13 weeks. you should be sent a form MI12 during the waiting period but if not ring them back and ask for one.

Morglin

You can also Google 'welfare rights' for wherever you live - this often brings up advice centres who will help you to sort out what to claim.

or, the CAB:

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm

Lin

Anubis_2

This is unfortunate and a reflection of how things are today People suddenly finding themselves out of work, I really empathise with you.

The Benefit Enquiry Line as mentioned is usually a goid resource, and Googling for welfare rights as Morglin states is also good advice.

Use the entitled to calculator too, and I would advise double checking any information.