Best combination of benefits?

crass

I am gong to be made redundant on the 9th January and will then have to claim some sort of benefits until I can get another job, which may take a while given that the unemployment figures keep rising

This will be my situation (per MONTH)
My earnings: £0

Wife's earnings: £242.57
Wife's DLA - care: £318.93
Wife's ESA: £469.30

Wife's DLA - mobility: £222.73 - This all goes to the motability scheme

We own our bungalow with £55k outstanding on the mortgage.
Approx 3k savings

So from this what is the best combination of benefits I can claim?

I have read about Income Support and JSA, and both are the same amount.
I also would qualify for carers allowance as I care for my wife about 60 hours per week, pretty much all the time I am not working! I know there is a carers premium, but would this affect the amount of DLA or ESA that my wife receives?

I think we would also qualify for some council tax benefit.

Any help in explaining the mix of benefits would be gratefully received.

Also if it matters, my wife is currently pregnant with our first baby due in May. I know that when the baby is born we will also get Child benefit and maybe child tax credit.


Thanks!

Notmyrealname

Sadly the way it is done you end up with the same money in the end but just from different pots. Get Carers and you lose contribution based JSA which pays more.

I would claim contributions based JSA and council tax benefit although TBH I doubt you'll get council tax benefit.

paddygirl

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

This should give you an idea.

I would apply for JSA and HB. You should get both.

MissMoneypenny

paddygirl wrote: »

I would apply for JSA and HB. You should get both.

They won't get HB, as they have a mortgage.

crass

Thanks for the turn2us link paddygirl, it has explained a lot!

While my wife is on ESA I can claim contribution based JSA for 6 months. Carers allowance would only reduce my JSA and I would end up with the same amount.

After that I wouldn't be able to claim anything?
I can't claim income based JSA or IS as my wife is on ESA, correct?
Would I then be able to claim carers allowance after contribution based JSA finishes or would that count against my wifes ESA also?

rogerblack

Is your wife on contributory, or income-based ESA?
If she's on contributory, then you could claim carers, without it impacting her payments.

crass

I think she is getting income related ESA. The letter is very confusing, saying she is not entitled to ESA, as not enough contributions. It then says she will receive £108 ESA per week. I assume this must be income based then.

midnight_express

You are only entitled to JSA if you are actively seeking work. If you intend to be a full time carer you would not be entitled to it. Who is going to be caring for the baby ?

Who cares for your wife when you are at work ? Are they claiming carers allowance ?

paddygirl

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

They won't get HB, as they have a mortgage.

sorry, I meant council tax...:)

crass

midnight_express wrote: »

You are only entitled to JSA if you are actively seeking work. If you intend to be a full time carer you would not be entitled to it. Who is going to be caring for the baby ?

Who cares for your wife when you are at work ? Are they claiming carers allowance ?

At the moment I prepare food etc for my wife to eat while I am at work. Most of the time I am at work she spends sleeping. No-one claims carers allowance.

So after May when the baby comes, if I were to be a full time carer we could only claim ESA between us I think.

drwho2011

crass wrote: »

At the moment I prepare food etc for my wife to eat while I am at work. Most of the time I am at work she spends sleeping. No-one claims carers allowance.

So after May when the baby comes, if I were to be a full time carer we could only claim ESA between us I think.

In addition to this, after baby comes you would get weekly:

Child Benefit: £20

CTC: Approx £50

You can model your circumstances for next year on the turn2us site for rough figures, based on what info you've given they should give you a reasonable idea despite being based on the 2011-2011 entitlements.