Where do I begin...Help needed please :)

St0lli

My current job is due to end on 27th April (its a contract position). I've been for interviews etc but so far have not been able to secure another job. I'm at my wits end worrying about how I will manage to pay my mortgage and other bills (including credit cards) if I don't find another job. I'm a 48yr old single mum to a 13 yr old, and haven't been unemployed before so I'm unsure as to where I go from here. Will I only be entitled to Jobseekers allowance or will I get any additional help? I already receive Child Benefit and Child Tax credit which is around £109 per month. Do I just go to the unemployment office on Monday 30th or should I be doing anything before then? Any pointers as to what I would be entitled to would be a great help. Thanks!

Scarlett1

you will be entitled to JSA and council tax benefit, probably mortgage interest payments after 26 weeks (think), get your forms now and fill them in and send them off as processing claims can take up to 4 weeks, you wont get any money straight away but at least it will start the ball rolling

St0lli

Thanks for your reply... 26 weeks?? Blimey, thats an eyeopener!!! I would have thought most houses would have been repossesed by then...

Is jobseekers allowance a set amount and the same for everyone?

Sorry to be a pain but this is all new to me... I already get 25% discount of CT for single occupancy so will I still get more?

rachnbri

As you're a lone parent you'll be entitled to Income Support (although you can claim jobseekers if you prefer - it's the same amount of money) It's about £59 a week and is means tested so if you have savings, investments etc that could reduce the amount you're entitled to. Mortgage help doesn't usually start until 39 weeks after you claim but it does depend on when you took out your mortgage. Also you may get more child tax credit if the amount you have been getting has been reduced due to your wages - make sure you call the tax credit helpline and inform them of your change of circumstances. The maximum amount is about £47 per week for one child. You will be entitled to council tax benefit which should cover the full amount of your council tax - this should be dealt with at the same time as your income support claim.

To make a claim to either Income Support or jobseekers allowance you need to call 0800 0556688. They'll take some basic details from you and then call you back to complete the claim form over the phone. Then they'll make you an appointment at the jobcentre where you'll see someone who'll go through the forms and take any evidence they might need such as pay slips and after that you'll see an adviser who tell you what help they can offer with regard to finding another job etc.

Have you any insurance policies which would cover your mortgage/credit cards while you're off work?

Good luck.

daisy_doughnut

i woul have thought you could make a claim for income support
for you you would recieve around 55-60 pounds per week
for child tax you need to tell them that your income has changed an you will recieve around 45 pound per week
you should also recieve full CT discount
as for the mortgage scarlett is right

good luck

St0lli

Thanks both Rachnbri and daisy doughnut

Unfortunately I don't have mortgage protection cover as when I began my previous contract position I was advised the policy only covered me if I was in permanent employement so I cancelled it. I've only recently racked up the credit card bills and didn't take out cover as this job was supposed to be made permanent and therefore I didn't see an issue with paying them off....

How can I have reached this age and still be stupid and naive?!

rachnbri

You're not stupid or naive hon - you just made a decision based on the info you had at the time.

You should be able to get loads of help from the lone parent adviser at the job centre to get another job asap. You'll see one when you make your claim so make sure you make use of any support they can offer.

TOBRUK

St0lli wrote: »

Thanks both Rachnbri and daisy doughnut

Unfortunately I don't have mortgage protection cover as when I began my previous contract position I was advised the policy only covered me if I was in permanent employement so I cancelled it. I've only recently racked up the credit card bills and didn't take out cover as this job was supposed to be made permanent and therefore I didn't see an issue with paying them off....

How can I have reached this age and still be stupid and naive?!

If it's any consilation I had to leave work because of illness over 7 years ago and I was panicking, the uncertainty of coping financially etc I did have payment protection on my credit card and I made a claim, paid for a report from GP but they would not pay up - they will find a way of not paying, there was an item about this on watchdog the other day. I will never bother with payment protection on anything ever again.

I have a mortgage and was worried about losing the house etc I had to wait as rachnbri said about 39 weeks for any help with interest payments. This was very difficult but you will get through it. I suppose it is the fear of the unknown.

Try and think positive, if you have your health you are in a position to look for work and you will manage, something will come up. I wish you well and try not to get too stressed.

Becles

Just a thought:

can you take payment holidays or underpay on your mortgage? If you can, this would give you a little breathing space to find a new job.

St0lli

rachnbri and TOBRUK, thank you so much for your kind words and support. It all just feels very scary at the moment and I don't want to let my parents know as they will only worry about me and I want to remain positive for my son... I'm going to an agency today to see if I can get temping work to see if that would financially more beneficial than claiming benefits. Thanks again!

Becles - Thanks for the suggestion, I'll definitely give them a ring and find out what the options are.

You've all been a great help - THANKS!!