Moving on from JSA to full-time work

jmima73

Hello;

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I am starting work in September after having been unemployed for the last three years so I am THRILLED :j

I am also very confused (and worried) about how I go about sorting out tax credits and housing benefit etc when I start work :-\

Can I ring Housing benefit and tax credits in advance of starting the job or do I have to wait till I've actually started? And does anyone know how long these things take to get sorted? I have two little girls so childcare will have to be paid for, as well as food to buy and rent to pay.... really getting very stressed about it! Any advice would be great x

loony2012

You will get 4 weeks rent paid for you. You just need to sign off JSA and let them know you started work.
They will pay what they owe you when they sort it out.

Can't tell CTC until atleast your start day. It may trigger a 1 off payment too as 3 days after i did this exact same thing i had a payment in bank for change in details of employment.
Don't know about child care and such but i know JSA no longer gives out the £100/£250 for leaving JSA and getting work.
Make sure you get JCP to pull their weight and provide you some clothes for work so you look nice.

jmima73

Thank you. I didn't know JCP did that? When I mentioned it to them, they told me to ask the local council. The council have said that they can give me my first month's bus card and depending on how much money they have in the pot, they might even give a voucher for work clothes.

So do I tell housing benefit about the change before I start (ie when I sign off) or when I've started?