Able to apply for benefits?, partner works and I'll be unemployed in a month or two

yerblurt

Hi

Would be grateful for some advice please - just wondering if I'll be able to make an application for any benefits in a month (or maybe two) when I'm officially unemployed. I've been working in the past (10+ years), did an MSc full-time Sept 2009 - Sept2010, working Sept 2010 - Sept 2011, started a PhD (but it's gone a bit south), have been given 3 months money by the university to help with writing up for an MPhil, after that zilch.

My partner works 32 hours, salary (think) is ~£29k.

We have a 5 year old daughter at school, there is a childcare cost (childminder - £32 per week) who childminds until 5pm when either of us collect her. I'm doing a lot of the childcare at the moment to take a bit of strain off partner.

We have the usual bills, house is mortgaged (in partners name).

Question is - will I be able to put in an application for benefits when my money runs out? If so what are people's thoughts on what we could successfully apply for?

Currently madly job hunting too - have an interview coming up next week for part-time job (17.5hrs, pay £19k-20.5k pro-rata).

Would I be able to make an application for any benefits if I took the part-time job?

Thanks for any help

Torry_Quine

Unless you've been working and paying NI contributions while studying then you won't be entitled to JSA as your partner earns too much.

You may be eligible for child or working tax credits as a family though as I don't know the income levels.

nannytone_2

the limit for working tax credit is about 18k, and the limit for child tax credit is 26k with 1 child. ( assuming no disabilities)

you wont get any childcare help unless you both work at least 16 hours a week each.

as TQ said regarding JSA

yerblurt

gah. What a pain... despite all those years paying tax and NI.

Some bit of help in the short term would be useful, at least child tax credits.

... thought I'd be able to apply for JSA

... silly us living together eh!