Final benefits before starting new job

santacruz_2

Hi all,
I'm posting this on behalf of a friend.
She's a lone parent and got made redundant in January, she has had her council tax, mortgage and working credits which added up to about £800.
She's now been offered a job and has a start date which is two weeks short of her recieving the last payment. She has no money and won't get her first wage for another month. They are taking it from the day her benefit went in rather than the day she claimed. Is this right?

benefitbaby

Hi, I'm sorry I don't fully understand your post. Can you explain this a little more.... "They are taking it from the day her benefit went in rather than the day she claimed. Is this right?"

santacruz_2

Sorry, its hard to explain as I don't fully understand it. But she called the Job centre twice in the last two months asking what date she could start working again and still receive the last payment and they've told her a specific date. Now she's got her work start date she called up again and has been told 'Oh no that's wrong we take it from when you were in receipt of benefit payment and not when you claimed' ....it's a matter of 2 weeks and £800. Seems like they've moved the goalposts to get out of paying.
Also, on the jobcentre website it clearly states its from when you claim, it says nothing about it being 'from receipt of payment'.

So they can say we'll give you the benefit help from when you're in receipt of payment but we'll stop paying as soon as you start work rather than when you're in receipt of your wage. Which leaves the poor people who've been searching for a job and finally getting one to have a month where they have nothing and can't afford food let alone council tax and rent.

I'm concerned for anyone who has to use benefits because you can't get a straight answer out of anyone at the job centre...so if they don't know the basics then who does?! Its the honest people who suffer here because they don't know the ins and outs and I really feel that the government try to con people out of what they're entitled to by misinforming people.

Hope this makes sense..

Marisco

Do you mean there is a time lapse between the last benefit payment and her first wage? If so, it might be worth her asking about a "job grant", it's a payment for people who are starting work after being on benefits. I'm not sure of the criteria for claiming, but it's worth asking in the job centre.

BigAunty

Some benefit claimants get a run-on with their benefits but I'm not sure of the criteria for this - other posters will know.

As she's going into employment she shouldn't have much problem persuading her bank to give her an overdraft - not every finance issue is a benefit problem but can be sorted out on a personal level. She can also speak to her mortgage company if she is in danger of arrears - the Shelter website has good info for homeowners.

She would not have received 'working tax credits' while on JSA but I imagine you may have meant 'child tax credits' which she will still receive - these are paid by the HMRC, along with child benefit - money she seems to have forgotten about. Also, any child maintenance paid by the father, if this is the case.

santacruz_2

I think thats it, a run on.
She's unable to get credit thanks to the father of the child and her own naivety. Father of the child pays the bear minimum and has no job after his business fell through.

benefitbaby

If your friend has been in receipt of JSA for 28 weeks (from start date of claim) then she can get a 4 week run-on with mortgage interest help and council tax benefit.

Child tax credits and child benefit will continue to be paid however she should notify tax credits that she is starting work so that they can calculate entitlement to working tax credits.

JSA is paid fortnightly in arrears so if she starts work the day after she is paid JSA then she will get no further cash however if she starts work on the day before her pay day then she will be owed a fortnight's worth.