Redundant for the first time - need help with benefits.

Ah_forget_it

Hey Folks, would appreciate your help here as I've never claimed benefits before and I've just been made redundant. Several people have told us to move our savings which I am not going to do as I do not think it is right or ethical to do so, but I do want to see what I can do to make best use of our money. I'm totally lost having never claimed before and just want to make sure we get what's available until I get another job.

The business I have worked for the last four years has just gone in to insolvency. They have only provided me with my last three months pay slips and have confirmed that contributions were made before that, but I am not 100% sure this is accurate. From what I have read, I should be able to claim contribution based JSA. On a side note as I understand it, over £6000 and up to £16000 savings we would be limited on a sliding scale in claiming income based JSA.

We have a mortgage protection plan which should cover our mortgage for a year so I am not worried about that in the short term. My wife hasn't worked for 4 years whilst looking after our two small children, aside from that we have both worked for the last 20 years.

Reading up we should also be able to apply for Child Tax Credits which I am going to do shortly as well as Child benefit which we are already receiving. I also think we qualify for Council Tax benefit too.

I've got a couple of questions I would really appreciate help on relating to all the above.

- How do I know if enough contributions have been made for me to claim contribution based JSA?
- Is it right that contribution JSA does not take in to account any savings you have, only income based JSA?
- Should I be able to claim Child Tax Credits even though I am not working?
- If savings are taken note of, do savings count individually when applying for benefits e.g if we both have £6000 in an account do they consider that I have £6000 myself or £12000 between the two of us?
- If our savings are over the figure for which we can claim, do you think it would be taking off the excess and paying that money off our Mortgage?

Huge thanks in advance for any help.

Firefox1975

You can't deprive yourself of capital so your last suggestion in an attempt to circumvent the £16,000 rule is a no go anyway

princessdon

How do I know if enough contributions have been made for me to claim contribution based JSA?

if you earnt over the NI limit for previous qualifying years you have enough conts. The fact you don't claim CTC and have never been out of work makes this very likely that you can.


- Is it right that contribution JSA does not take in to account any savings you have, only income based JSA?

Correct - but other benefits do (Eg Council Tax, Housing Benefit etc)

- Should I be able to claim Child Tax Credits even though I am not working?

Yes but this depends on income for the year. Eg how much have you earned to date etc? also if you get a new job you will have to repay it back if you go over the threshold - they count JSA in this figure too

- If savings are taken note of, do savings count individually when applying for benefits e.g if we both have £6000 in an account do they consider that I have £6000 myself or £12000 between the two of us?

Household


- If our savings are over the figure for which we can claim, do you think it would be taking off the excess and paying that money off our Mortgage?

You can't do this. You are suggesting fraud - for a few pounds a week I am sure you don't want to have this on your record.


Also - the mortgage insurance can affect your income based claims anyway.

You are expected to live off your savings until under the limit without spending money/giving it away.

Sorry - I'm in the same position soon and it's annoying, but on the positive it gives you a real incentive to get a job

Ah_forget_it

Thanks for such a detailed reply Princessdon, much appreciated.