Might lose my job soon, can my family become homeless?

Protocol45

Without going into too much detail, I fear I am about to be dismissed from my current position.

I currently earn about £1450 per month, not including overtime. I live with my fianc! and our 5 month old son. She is on maternity leave, but if she returned to work, she wouldn’t earn about to carry us. Rent, council tax, electricity etc comes to around £1100 not including food and other things.
I’m worried sick. I’ve never been in a situation where I could lose not only my job but my home (privately rented 2 bed flat). So my question, or rather, questions.
What assistance, if any, can I get if I end up losing my job and unable to pay ANY bills?
Is there a possibility that my family will be on the streets?
Is any benefit/entitlement effected if I am sacked from my position rather than just leave?
Sorry if these are obvious questions. But I’m not thinking too straight lately due to worry. My fianc! is holding it together but I fear for the worst.
All help is really appreciated.

earthbound_misfit

First - don't panic. As a family with a young baby you won't end up on the streets. Depending where you live you might end up in a hostel/B&B - that's worse case scenario.

You should be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. Not sure if your partner gets added to your Jobseeker's claim or would get something in her own right - someone will be able to advise.

Housing Benefit - known as Local Housing Allowance for private renting tenants - is based on the cheapest 30% of properties of that size in your area. If your property is more expensive than that you will have to make up the rent shortfall from your other benefits or try to find a cheaper property.

Here's a benefit calculator that might help - remember it's not definite but usually a good guide.

If you're sacked you'll be fine, if you leave out of choice you may not be able to claim Jobseeker's as it would be seen as voluntarily unemployed.
Deep breaths, you can do it, it's not as bad as it seems.
Good luck, more people will be along to advise tomorrow, in the meantime get some sleep - it really is going to be ok!

earthbound_misfit

ps. why do you think you'll lose your job? Is there a date you'll know by? Are you looking for other jobs?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

You can claim Housing Benefit.

It is based on your Local Housing Allowance rate for a 2 bedroom property.

For the first 13 weeks you should be protected, if you could afford the rent when you moved in and have not claimed Housing Benefit in the previous 52 weeks then the full rent figure will be used in your benefit calculation then it will drop to your LHA rate.

Each Local Authority runs there own Council Tax Support Scheme - all working age claimants are expected to pay something towards their Council Tax liability - an average of 20% but about a fifth of Councils still give 100% benefit to working age claimants.

You need to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support from your Local Authority.

Protocol45

earthbound_misfit wrote: »

First - don't panic. As a family with a young baby you won't end up on the streets. Depending where you live you might end up in a hostel/B&B - that's worse case scenario.

You should be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. Not sure if your partner gets added to your Jobseeker's claim or would get something in her own right - someone will be able to advise.

Housing Benefit - known as Local Housing Allowance for private renting tenants - is based on the cheapest 30% of properties of that size in your area. If your property is more expensive than that you will have to make up the rent shortfall from your other benefits or try to find a cheaper property.

Here's a benefit calculator that might help - remember it's not definite but usually a good guide.

If you're sacked you'll be fine, if you leave out of choice you may not be able to claim Jobseeker's as it would be seen as voluntarily unemployed.
Deep breaths, you can do it, it's not as bad as it seems.
Good luck, more people will be along to advise tomorrow, in the meantime get some sleep - it really is going to be ok!

Thank you for the kind words. It does help. I looked into the calculator and it was a bit above my head. I tried best I could and it said I would get Tax credits at £60 week, 0 income support, 0 council tax support and 0 housing benefit. I think I will look a meeting with the CAB just to make sure.

earthbound_misfit wrote: »

ps. why do you think you'll lose your job? Is there a date you'll know by? Are you looking for other jobs?

In short, something happened at work, but it didn't go down too well and now I'm suspended with pay until they investigate. There is a 50/50 change of being fired, so that's why I'm nervous. If I do get the boot, it will probably be next week.

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

You can claim Housing Benefit.

It is based on your Local Housing Allowance rate for a 2 bedroom property.

For the first 13 weeks you should be protected, if you could afford the rent when you moved in and have not claimed Housing Benefit in the previous 52 weeks then the full rent figure will be used in your benefit calculation then it will drop to your LHA rate.

Each Local Authority runs there own Council Tax Support Scheme - all working age claimants are expected to pay something towards their Council Tax liability - an average of 20% but about a fifth of Councils still give 100% benefit to working age claimants.

You need to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support from your Local Authority.

Thanks again for the information, so much appreciated. As I said above, I think I did it wrong as it said I would get £0 but I will ask the CAB for advise.

Any more pointer and stories are welcome, very much so. I will also try to keep this up to date on my progress, in case in helps others.

Protocol45

I just thought I would give an update. I was dismissed from my position this morning.
I'm going to start filling in forms and seeing what's what.

paulofessex

Sorry to hear you lost your job. Like others have said, please don't panic. Concentrate on the priority bills, i.e. Rent and council tax. You will need to wait l feel until your in receipt of your last wage slip before any housing benefit claims can be processed, however don't let that delay you in getting the forms etc.

It will be worth making an appointment with the CAB as they will tell you exactly what you will be entitled too.

The job centre of course will have jobs also have a look online at their website. Don't forget recruitment agencies also.

Wishing you the best through this difficult time

princessdon

The main problem you have is that you could be sanctioned for being dismissed.

RAS

Hi

What is your Local Housing Allowance? and how does that compare with the rent? When does your fixed term contract end?

Does your missus get any maternity pay? If so when does that end?

flight747

princessdon wrote: »

The main problem you have is that you could be sanctioned for being dismissed.

That's a load of rubbish. U cannot be sanctioned for sacked as dismissed is sacked.

You only get sanctioned if you do walk out of the job or resigned yourself.

Don't listen to princessdon.

Caz3121

flight747 wrote: »

That's a load of rubbish. U cannot be sanctioned for sacked as dismissed is sacked.

You only get sanctioned if you do walk out of the job or resigned yourself.

Don't listen to princessdon.

Princessdon is correct
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@benefits/documents/digitalasset/dg_199994.pdf

If you were dismissed (‘sacked’)
If you were dismissed from your job, we’ll ask your last employer for the reasons. You will be able to comment on what they say.
Jobcentre Plus will decide whether you have lost your job because of your own actions. If we do decide that this is the case, you may lose your benefit for between 1 and 26 weeks.