Advise on benefits/claiming JSA

FieldHammond

Okay I am asking on behalf of my parents who are experiencing severe financial issues.

The low down.
My dad is now 61, will be 62 this year and is a self employed bricklayer. He hasn't worked for 3 years due to losing his last job. At the time they coped on mums wages but she has had to cut down and dad still can not find full time work. Rising costs have seen bills increase.
Now finances are getting strained. They are living on basic food etc and I am helping where I can.
So we finally convinced Dad to sign on. He got a letter today and all it said was they couldn't pay him from 2nd April. No other reasons.
Just waiting to call them tomorrow.
So I am wondering if the reason is because he hasn't paid NI as he has been out of work.
Or maybe its because we hadn't submitted a payment type as his bank account has only just been opened. (though on the same day, the paperwork for a Post Office account opened by them, arrived)

Anyway aside from the JSA worry, I would like to know where I can go for help for benefits.
They live in a council house.
Mum works about 32 hours a week and her wages barely covers rent, utility bills perscriptions and food. Some nights its just beans on toast.
Yet there appears to be no benefits for them. It seems wrong.

They once got HB but it was taken away as mum done a few extra hours overtime to earn some money to pay an extra bill. So now she is terrified it will happen again. She only gets £20 a week WTC

What exactly can they do? Its not fair. They have worked all their lives and now need the help.
I hope he isn't denied JSA, even an extra few quid a week will help as I am having to help pay for food.

Torry_Quine

He isn't entitled to JSA as he hasn't the contributions for contribution based and as your mother works then he won't get income based either.

FieldHammond

But even if he signs on (with no money) will it help my parents get benefits and they only get WTC.

Is there anything else we can look into. Finding a job at his age is hard and mums wages are not covering the bills and we have trimmed them as much as we can

Torry_Quine

FieldHammond wrote: »

But even if he signs on (with no money) will it help my parents get benefits and they only get WTC.

Is there anything else we can look into. Finding a job at his age is hard and mums wages are not covering the bills and we have trimmed them as much as we can

The only advantage from signing on is to get NI contributions which will go towards his pension. If he has enough for that it isn't worth it.

How old is mum?

FieldHammond

mum is 59 and struggling to keep up with her hours but wont cut them as they need the money. Its a horrible situation.

Maybe he can get benefits for his medical problems. The name is a funny one but basically he needs medication to live and if he doesn't take it, its bad and even has an emergency injection of his medication incase he can't take it orally. ( I know I am reaching!!!!!!!!!) I can dream!
I just want to help them as the benefits system is screwing them.

Torry_Quine

FieldHammond wrote: »

mum is 59 and struggling to keep up with her hours but wont cut them as they need the money. Its a horrible situation.

Maybe he can get benefits for his medical problems. The name is a funny one but basically he needs medication to live and if he doesn't take it, its bad and even has an emergency injection of his medication incase he can't take it orally. ( I know I am reaching!!!!!!!!!) I can dream!
I just want to help them as the benefits system is screwing them.

As he's over 60 then he is entitled to free prescriptions.

FieldHammond

He does get them thankfully and he qualifies for pension credit in september. its the months inbetween I am worried about.

As my mum works on average 30-35 hours a week hopefully we can apply for housing benefit this year. Gonna try it.

Torry_Quine

FieldHammond wrote: »

He does get them thankfully and he qualifies for pension credit in september. its the months inbetween I am worried about.

As my mum works on average 30-35 hours a week hopefully we can apply for housing benefit this year. Gonna try it.

Would a pre-paid prescription work out cheaper for her if she has a few things?

Horseunderwater

When you say they are struggling to survive financially what do you mean exactly? Have they tried to apply for housing benefit again, and or council tax support - they may get something they may not but they should at least try. Once your Mum gets to 60, she would only need to work 16 hours to get working tax credit but she should be entitled to the 30 hour element at the moment. Are her earnings more than £17.5k per year gross? If not she should tell Tax credits of her actual income as soon as possible as she may get a bit more.
Your Dad should have been getting free medicines since he reached 60 years of age. Not sure if he could get a refund with out receipts but all he needs to do is fill in a form to get the card I believe. GP should have one to fill in. It might be worth asking to see if they would do a refund based on what he has been prescribed without a receipt. Or if he does not need a card then they should just tick the over 60 box on reverse. It might be worth your Dad applying for DLA - if he is unsafe to go out on his own due to his medical condition as he could pose a danger to himself and others. Sadly he would not get ESA now as he missed the boat for same reason as JSA. He might get at least low rate mobility which is £21/week.