Not sure about benefits

teaandcakeordeath

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help me? My husband is currently out of work after being self employed for 3 years- he is looking hard and has had a few interviews but hasn't got anywhere unfortunately. The job centre advisor basically kicked him out of the job centre saying that he wasn't entitled to their help. He has tried to claim JSA (after I begged him to) but is not eligible for contribution or income based (I earn £20k ish per year before tax).

We are just about surviving (we don't have extra money to save/ go on holidays/ buy clothes/ go out etc.) on my income and I've slashed as many 'luxuries' as I can- my car, even though I need it for work, is next to go if I can find a buyer. Is there any support that he/ we are entitled to? We don't have children and I am the sole name on our mortgage (he couldn't go on mortgage as didn't have enough of his self-employed accounts). We don't get WTC/ CTC/ HB etc. I have no idea if there's anything available as I've never claimed any benefits.

It's not something I want to ask but at the moment we're really struggling along! Thank you!

RAS

You need to look at www.turn2us.org.uk but it is unlikely. Have you check m ortgage interest support?

Also go over to the Debt free wannabees and ask them to look at your budget and the Money Saving Old Style forum for budget living ideas.

Sparkles87

Depending on your ages, your working hours and income, you may be able to claim working tax credits.

nannytone_2

the OP earns too much for working tax credit ... the cut off is about 18k for a couple.

miss piggy is almost right... this site is about giveing advice.

but more importantly, it is about giving CORRECT advice, and not just making it up as you go along, like she does

teaandcakeordeath

Jeepers! I'll have a look at turn to us- thanks for that advice. I work full time (37.5 hours) and earn 20k-ish. I'm sure we'll be entitled to sod all as usual! Was just having a wild hope that I was wrong. I wish the government would consider sharing tax codes between couples like some of the Scandinavian countries do. Then we wouldn't need to even think about what we're not entitled to!

Whilst children are definitely on the agenda I don't want to use them as a 'ticket to benefits!'.

teaandcakeordeath

Just been on turn to us- not entitled to anything. Will have to keep fingers crossed husband can get a job soon or bankruptcy awaits. Yay.:eek:

McKneff

I dont actually see why you are cross about not getting benefits when you are earning £20K a year. My OH and I are pensioners and live on half of that.

And no, apart from 160% state pension we dont claim anything from the government.

BigAunty

If you are not entitled to benefits, then your other options include upping your income (see the Up your Income Board) or slashing further your living expenses.

To help with this, download the MSE budget planner and work through the whole site to find out how to be even more frugal - finding the cheapest energy, insurance, telecoms tariffs and so on.

See the Old Style Money saving board for ultra thrift - cheap recipes and so on.

Housing benefit is only for tenants, not homeowners. The mortgage interest scheme isn't for homeowners in employment.

Gentile

teaandcakeordeath wrote: »

Just been on turn to us- not entitled to anything. Will have to keep fingers crossed husband can get a job soon or bankruptcy awaits. Yay.:eek:

Sad as it is, you are considered to be in the bracket who absolutely do not deserve any support. That is the way the government works. The government policies do not target individual cases but rather a broad spectrum.

One might say that when you were both in jobs you could have saved for rainy day and used it now when your husband is job hunting. But then when someone works they do want to spend that money on holidays, cars etc. Now with so many taxes and sky high living expenses its even more difficult to save anything.

So there it is, a couple with no kids is in free fall. But if a kid or two emerges into the scenario and if the couple decide to "split" the situation dramatically changes and quite possibly might shower riches beyond the wildest dreams. Fill your boots !

CharlieBilly

I got told by cab that once my ESA runs out my partner has to support me and she earns around 7-8k a year and I got told I wont get much help if any maybe small amount of council tax. With that we pay mortgage (low) and other bills. The amount they claim we need is very low so your 20k earnings probably cancels out any help

helena88

McKneff wrote: »

I dont actually see why you are cross about not getting benefits when you are earning £20K a year. My OH and I are pensioners and live on half of that.

And no, apart from 160% state pension we dont claim anything from the government.

Maybe so but are you paying a mortgage as well?