Couple with baby, do we both need to sign on JSA?

JohnyBM

I am going to soon be losing my job of many years as is everyone in my company which is going bankrupt.

We have a baby so will we both have to look for work and sign on at jobcentre or only me?

shop-to-drop

Only if you are both going to be looking for work.

JohnyBM

shop-to-drop wrote: »

Only if you are both going to be looking for work.

Thanks for the reply. But still do not understand.

Only I will be looking for work as wife is still feeding every few hours and we do not want to get baby on to bottle just yet.

Would we still get the same JSA money for a couple if only I am looking for work?

shop-to-drop

You will claim jsa for you only but if you are elligible for means tested benefits in addition you will claim them for yourself and your dependents.

McKneff

She still should sign on for work and JSA, nothing to stop her looking for work even if she is breast feeding. It could be months before she finds one.

All babies need feeding every few hours, part time hours possibly?

The job centre will guide you as to what you can claim.

epitome

If baby born in the last 15 weeks she can claim IS for both of you until baby is 15 weeks old.

However, it's not the best plan as you won't get your NI credits paid.

The best plan ***assuming the child benefit is in her name*** is for you to claim JSA the day after your job finishes. If you finish on a Friday then phone on Friday and claim to start from Saturday.

You claim JSA for both of you and only you will have to attend the jobcentre and look for work.
She does not ***have to*** sign on or claim JSA(nic only) it is entirely voluntary for her.

What day and time will be your last working hour?

JohnyBM

Thanks all. I am still confused.

Very simple question. If only I sign on, will I get less JSA than if we both go and sign on?

JohnyBM

According to the benefit calculator, we should get;

£113.68 Child tax credit
£111.45 JSA and £33.70 child benefit every week.

It does not say anything about if we both have to sign on.

Can any one on here who really knows about these things tell me how old does the baby have to be before the mother has to sign on? Or is it OK if only the Dad signs on will you still get the £111.45?


Edit: I have just put the figures in as if I was single and everything is the same except for JSA which would be £71.00 per week.

So my real question is how long before we both have to sign on for instance when the baby is 2? Or will it go down to £71.00 wk if only I sign on not both of us?

shop-to-drop

JohnyBM wrote: »

Thanks all. I am still confused.

Very simple question. If only I sign on, will I get less JSA than if we both go and sign on?

I think that is going to depend on your personal circumstances. For instance you and your wifes NI contributions, your savings etc. Have you tried using any of the benefit calculators?

JohnyBM

shop-to-drop wrote: »

I think that is going to depend on your personal circumstances. For instance you and your wifes NI contributions, your savings etc. Have you tried using any of the benefit calculators?

Thanks Shoptodrop, I just edited my last post after your post sorry.

We r income based, and no income no savings at the moment until I find another job.

Do you know how old the baby has to be before the Mother has to sign on as well to still claim JSA for a couple?

pmlindyloo

JohnyBM wrote: »

I am going to soon be losing my job of many years as is everyone in my company which is going bankrupt.

We have a baby so will we both have to look for work and sign on at jobcentre or only me?

You are likely to be entitled to some redundancy pay if you have worked for 'many years' even if your company is going bankrupt.

See here;

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Pay/DG_10026695

This may well alter your entitlement to benefits.

Another question - sorry

Why do you say that you will be applying for income based JSA?

Haven't you being paying your NI contributions while you have been working or weren't you an employee?