Husband giving up work to mind children...

nixxx_2

I'm 38 and my husband is 50. Hubbie is giving up work completely to look after our 2 and 1 year olds as we are getting more and more in debt trying to pay for full time childcare. I've worked out that we should be able to manage as we should get housing benefit. I earn 19,000 annually. Our LHA rent allowance is 138.40 p/w. We pay 196.00 p/w to a private landlord. We have no other savings or income (plenty of debt though!)

I'm just looking for some advise as to what benefits I should be claiming for and when? Been to the local CAB but wasnt helpful. Hubbie's last day of employment is 7 Oct.

We've never been on benefits before so its a bit daunting. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

cte1111

Make sure you tell the tax credits as soon as your husband has finished work. Make sure you specifically tell them that you are no longer using child care as I have found they don't always change this.

Presumably you also get child benefit, no need to tell them anything as this is not work or income dependent.

I wouldn't have thought that you would be entitled to any other benefits, as you have a reasonable income. However not an expert so other posters may be able to help more.

nixxx_2

We werent getting any childcare tax credits we were using the voucher scheme so thats been stopped already.
It is specifically the tax credit system I dont understand. Will the tax credits only change next april, and even then only to show Hub worked half a year? So will we have to wait til april 2013 before we get what we're entitled to? I'm so confused as to how it all works!

I believe that housing benefit should kick in straight away and will reduce as the tax credits increase. Is this right?

cte1111

The tax credits change as soon as you tell them about your change in circumstances. It will take them a few weeks to work out your entitlement, but then they should start paying you tax credits for the remainder of this tax year.

You need to work out how much your husband has earnt this year and they will then use that to work out what you should be receiving.

Not sure about housing benefit, I've never claimed it sorry.

welshmoneylover

nixxx wrote: »

I'm 38 and my husband is 50. Hubbie is giving up work completely to look after our 2 and 1 year olds as we are getting more and more in debt trying to pay for full time childcare. I've worked out that we should be able to manage as we should get housing benefit. I earn 19,000 annually. Our LHA rent allowance is 138.40 p/w. We pay 196.00 p/w to a private landlord. We have no other savings or income (plenty of debt though!)

I'm just looking for some advise as to what benefits I should be claiming for and when? Been to the local CAB but wasnt helpful. Hubbie's last day of employment is 7 Oct.

We've never been on benefits before so its a bit daunting. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'd be very surprised if you can claim HB on an income of £19k.

MrsManda

Try modelling your circumstances on the benefits calculators on direct.gov and turn2us to see what you may be able to claim.
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=action%3Dentitlement%26pageno%3D16

slscarborough

welshmoneylover wrote: »

I'd be very surprised if you can claim HB on an income of £19k.

I beleive you will only be entitled to minimal HB/CTB on that income and probably around £400.00 a month child tax credits. Dont think there is anything else you will be entitled to I am afraid.

slscarborough

slscarborough wrote: »

I beleive you will only be entitled to minimal HB/CTB on that income and probably around £400.00 a month child tax credits. Dont think there is anything else you will be entitled to I am afraid.

Just checked HB/CTC and it appears you will be entitled to £60 a week.

hcb42

isnt this a very backwards step? Giving up work when he is able to do so - just to go on benefits?

sunnyone

hcb42 wrote: »

isnt this a very backwards step? Giving up work when he is able to do so - just to go on benefits?

Havnt you heard, its the in thing, on here at least................

Fiver29

slscarborough wrote: »

Just checked HB/CTC and it appears you will be entitled to £60 a week.

Really? :eek:

I must be doing something wrong. I get less than half that wage, and I'm not entitled to that much HB