Claiming IS after redundancy

LL30

Apologies, I am somewhat of a benefits virgin (apart from a slight play with tax credits). I am being made redundant on 18th Sept and I am hoping to claim IS (single mother) whilst I try and get a new job (first interview tomorrow - I am praying!). I will receive 2 weeks stat redundancy pay, as well as 2 weeks wages at the end of the month, so I am wondering when I should put my claim in. Would they count it from 18th Sept, or would my redundancy pay affect this? Can you order the forms in advance or do they like to make things as difficult and drawn out as possible?

Due to my employers interesting interpretation of redundancy rules, I'm now in a position of having to cancel my working tax credits claim and thus my help with child care costs (great - how do I pay the first months up front when I do get a job after being on IS??Lost on me I can tell you!) I am wondering if they will stop my claim completely and make me apply again, or do they just take the working and childcare element off and continue with the child tax credits - or do they need proof I'm applying/getting income support. Sorry I'm going in circles here, just trying to cover the possibilities before i make a t1t of it all.

Also, I am aware that if you work on average 16 hrs, you can claim working tax credits. Just looking for views on the following (how dodgy/how much of a stupid idea etc): If i were to get a job before 18th Sept, but it was due to start 1st Oct, how bad would it be not to cancel my claim and leave it to run, and then report my change of circs in Oct to include 30hr + element, and apply for more childcare. That way i could save this months money to pay for the first months childcare...I could claim that on average, I have worked 16 hours a week (it's just 2 were at 0 hours...) tenuous I know...

Any responses appreciated...stabbing in the dark here!

cosmic-dust

LL30 wrote: »

Apologies, I am somewhat of a benefits virgin (apart from a slight play with tax credits). I am being made redundant on 18th Sept and I am hoping to claim IS (single mother) whilst I try and get a new job (first interview tomorrow - I am praying!). I will receive 2 weeks stat redundancy pay, as well as 2 weeks wages at the end of the month, so I am wondering when I should put my claim in. Would they count it from 18th Sept, or would my redundancy pay affect this? Can you order the forms in advance or do they like to make things as difficult and drawn out as possible?

Due to my employers interesting interpretation of redundancy rules, I'm now in a position of having to cancel my working tax credits claim and thus my help with child care costs (great - how do I pay the first months up front when I do get a job after being on IS??Lost on me I can tell you!) I am wondering if they will stop my claim completely and make me apply again, or do they just take the working and childcare element off and continue with the child tax credits - or do they need proof I'm applying/getting income support. Sorry I'm going in circles here, just trying to cover the possibilities before i make a t1t of it all.

Also, I am aware that if you work on average 16 hrs, you can claim working tax credits. Just looking for views on the following (how dodgy/how much of a stupid idea etc): If i were to get a job before 18th Sept, but it was due to start 1st Oct, how bad would it be not to cancel my claim and leave it to run, and then report my change of circs in Oct to include 30hr + element, and apply for more childcare. That way i could save this months money to pay for the first months childcare...I could claim that on average, I have worked 16 hours a week (it's just 2 were at 0 hours...) tenuous I know...

Any responses appreciated...stabbing in the dark here!

All pay will be taken into account including your four week run on of working tax credits.

Your child is under 7? Just making sure you are in fact eligible to claim Income support.

LL30

4 week run on of working tax credits? What's that then?

So I'm guessing I need to wait until I've had my last pay to then claim?

Yes little one was one on Friday (and currently screaming in her cot, which she has decided is evil) I was told IS is better than JSA as you don't have to sign on. To be honest, the whole thing fills me with dread, but it's got to done. Just hoping it's a very temporary measure!

Thank you for your help, appreciated!

LL30

Bump, please

cosmic-dust

LL30 wrote: »

4 week run on of working tax credits? What's that then?

So I'm guessing I need to wait until I've had my last pay to then claim?

Yes little one was one on Friday (and currently screaming in her cot, which she has decided is evil) I was told IS is better than JSA as you don't have to sign on. To be honest, the whole thing fills me with dread, but it's got to done. Just hoping it's a very temporary measure!

Thank you for your help, appreciated!

You don't have to sign on with Income support as you say but you do have to attend six monthly work focused interviews.

Don't delay claiming, do it as soon as you finish your employment.
Tax credits four week run on, is just as it sounds you get a run on for four weeks after if your work ends.