Jobseekers allowence and working

nicky7175

I have a query if anybody could help with... ive recently come off income support and gone onto job seekers fortnightly signing on... I am currently working 5 hours as a dinner lady in my sons school and obviously have been told to search for more work... Ive been offered this eve a cleaning job eves 12.5 hours a week... Which in total would be 17.5 hours a week... Im just wondering if that is enough to come off of job seekers as a single parent.. Obv it would not be worth me taking the other job if I still have to sign on every two weeks and can still only keep the 20quid of the money.. but confused really

gingergee

17.5 hours is enough to get wtc/ctc. You'd also more than likely get help with rent etc (if needed). You wouldn't need to sign on anymore, in fact, you'd be able to sign off!!! lol x good luck and well done x

ditzyat50

I think you are entitled to working tax credit if you are a single parent and working a minimum of 16 hours. 24hours if you have a partner. But I may be wrong. perhaps other posters may be able to advice further.

nicky7175

Thankyou I am hoping that is the case... but after a visit to the job centre today and 4 calls nobody has returned my calls...so much for them helping!!

jfdi

Yes - do it!

You must make an appt (if you decide to take the 2nd job) with your Jobcentre Adviser for around the time you start it - you could be entitled to £250 Job Grant, 4 weeks full H Ben & CT Ben paid (both 26 weeks of getting IS/JSA to qualify),and £40 a week for a year (In Work Credit) (52 weeks of IS/JSA to qualify) - BUT, if the Adviser doesn't process these through for you it'll be a challenge to get them! They can also kick start your Working Tax Credit for you.

Good luck! And enjoy your escape from the Jobcentre.

nicky7175

Funny I was told today on the phone I do not need an appointment I just phone a number to come off of jsa and done and dusted.... im sort of wary of taking it as dont want to be down on money for the first month waiting for pay etc and also trying to work out how much I will get housing and council tax benefit ( dont want to be out of pocket again) again I went to the council offices today to speak to somebody but you just get pushed to a phone and then told no cant help as cannot do your claim until you start work!!! very fraustrating