What if anything can we claim?

HARAS0310

Hi

I am a first time poster!

My husband left his job last August due to huge levels of stress and long hours, the intention was to take about 6 weeks off and then look for something else.

He has a professional qualification and lots of experience so after researching jobs with agencies before handing his notice in he thought it would be OK.

However, since then the employment market in his field has nose dived.

He is either over qualified or as he was told today '' not asking for a high enough salary'':mad:

I work part time and earn approx £550 a month, this doesn't go very far!

Because he left his employment himself he has been unable to claim JSA, we cannot claim working tax credits as I am not a single parent and he has already earned £16 this tax year.

We got our child tax credits reinstated but that was it.

Is there anything else we can claim as it seems very unfair that six months on we are still trying to pay our mortgage ( more than my income) and everything else?

The annoying thing is shortly after he left the company went bust and everyone else was made redundant!

Any advise appreciated

Dunroamin

WTC aren't only for lone parents - how many hours do you work?

HARAS0310

That's what I thought, I work 25 hours a week, but when I rang I was made to feel grateful that I could re-claim my child tax credits. He basically told me that my OH should move out!

Torry_Quine

When you say he can't get JSA has he actually applied or is he assuming? Usually they ask the reason for leaving the job and contact the employer for confirmation. They can then sanction him for up to 26 weeks but it's usually much less. Of course that presumes he's paid enough NI contributions as he wouldn't get income based due to your income.

HARAS0310

No, he has to wait 6 months, which is up this week.

Torry_Quine

HARAS0310 wrote: »

No, he has to wait 6 months, which is up this week.

Who told him that, you should claim as soon as you can. He would probably have been getting it for most of this time.

HARAS0310

Thanks, do you know if they will backdate it?

Torry_Quine

HARAS0310 wrote: »

Thanks, do you know if they will backdate it?

They don't backdate unless you can show a good reason why you didn't apply when first eligible.

HARAS0310

LOL, it was the 'charming chap' on the phone previously

Dunroamin

HARAS0310 wrote: »

That's what I thought, I work 25 hours a week, but when I rang I was made to feel grateful that I could re-claim my child tax credits. He basically told me that my OH should move out!

One person in a couple has to work for a minimum of 16 hours (soon to be 24 hours) for them to be able to claim working tax credits.

karenx

HARAS0310 wrote: »

No, he has to wait 6 months, which is up this week.

So did he actually apply and was told he didnt qualify for another 6 months? As you can be sanctioned for upto 26 weeks but that can only start from date you applied.
So if he is only going to be applying now, you could find he is still sanctioned for a period of time for leaving his employment.
And no it wont be backdated at all