26 and accepting an Apprenticeship job!

laurenweird

After two and a half long long years of unemployment my partner has finally been offered a job :j

We are super super happy, but this is an apprenticeship - which means he is on the rate for that. He will be working around 37 hours a week and should come out with just under £100.

Now, this is less than we actually get on jobseekers (joint claim) so will we still be entitled to housing benefit? Will he qualify for working tax credit (we have two young children as well)?

Unfortunately I don't see us being better off, but just so happy we have work I don't mind - as long as we can manage so just wondering where we stand

(on top of all this I hope to start University in September:o)

jobseeking_help

Lauren

Your partner has done really well as I understand that if an employer takes on an apprentice aged over 24 the employer has to pay the training costs whereas it's free for 24 year olds.

Undoubtedly it will be tough financially but I do hope it pays divdends for the future.

Do contact your local council's housing dept and ensure they are made aware of changes to your circumstanes so Housing Benefit can continue. Housing Benefit may well cease automatically with JSA ceasing.

Some 'old' JSA advisers were also benefit advisers so see if any one there can assist. gov.uk site is not user friendly but all the information is there.

Also has section that tells you how the housing benefit will be effected - follow links for Housing benefit calculation