Redundancy / Unemployment

antoquintos

Good afternoon,

Apologies for the length of this and number of questions, but I am facing possible redundancy for the first time.

At the beginning of last week I started a new job, and this morning I was called in to a meeting along with all of my other colleagues and advised that the business is going to be making some redundancies within the next 2 weeks. Having left a permanent position to take this role, to say I am frustrated is a understatement but at the end of the day, it is what it is.

As indicated above, we will discover the outcome within the next two weeks, but I am trying to get my head around a few things, should the worst come to the worst, so I would be grateful of any advice:


1 - How quickly are job seekers allowance payments made? I understand I need to apply and will need an assessment, but how quickly after this will I receive first payment?

2 - Where do I stand in terms of my tenancy? I am currently a private tenant, in a room in a shared house. I understand that some form of housing benefit will be available, but as above, how quickly will my situation be assessed and potential payment made? Also, should I notify my landlord as soon as I am made redundant or wait until an assessment is made?

Any help would be gratefully received.

DomRavioli

You'd need to contact the DWP for current turnaround times in your area for the JSA - it is usually within 2 weeks, although this can be different.

With regards to Local Housing Allowance (you're a private tenant so you would claim this), you would need to contact your local authority - mine has a backlog of 15 weeks, so it would be worth contacting them and informing your landlord.

Also if you wish to claim Council Tax assistance, you will usually have to pay something towards council tax - call your local authority.

antoquintos

Thanks for your reply - forunately I do not pay council tax (it is included in my rent) so that is one less thing to consider and worry about.

Hopefully things will work out but I am trying to get an idea of the steps I need to take, should the 'worst case' scenario occur

specialboy

A deduction may be made from your LHA if your rent includes other bills such as council tax.

poorlittlefish

Why on earth did your employer take you on as a new member of staff when they must have known they were in trouble? I hope for your sake that they did so because your role isn't at threat.

cattermole

JSA I would say is 2 weeks, you will get a text or phone call shortly after registering on line to go in for an interview, sign the agreement etc.

Depending on your circumstances will determine the amount of HB you will be entitled to you can find out how many bedrooms they will pay for here :-

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/BedRoomCalculator.aspx

and the LHA rates for your area can be found here, so it will give you an idea of the shortfall you might face in your rent.

http://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

Didn't realise it was 15 weeks backlog on HB blimey!! I guess all the problems with the Bedroom Tax/Subsidy is a factor in that? Doesn't really help people if they have an unsympathetic landlord though!

antoquintos

Thanks for the replies - apologies, I didn't notice that you had got back to me.

I agree, I have no idea why I was employed when jobs were at threat. I have queried this, and apparently the Directos at the company took the decision to make redundancies, whereas it was the Management staff that are responsible for recruiting. In other words, the Management team recruited me and it was only after I started that the Directors dropped the redundancy bombshell.

In fairness to the Management team, they had no idea - they too are at risk so I know this is the case. So, at present, I am just keeping everything crossed but it isn't looking too good at the moment, hence why I am trying to get ahead with planning my next steps, should the worst case scenario occur.

pmlindyloo

cattermole wrote: »

JSA I would say is 2 weeks, you will get a text or phone call shortly after registering on line to go in for an interview, sign the agreement etc.

Depending on your circumstances will determine the amount of HB you will be entitled to you can find out how many bedrooms they will pay for here :-

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/BedRoomCalculator.aspx

and the LHA rates for your area can be found here, so it will give you an idea of the shortfall you might face in your rent.

http://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

Didn't realise it was 15 weeks backlog on HB blimey!! I guess all the problems with the Bedroom Tax/Subsidy is a factor in that? Doesn't really help people if they have an unsympathetic landlord though!

Since the OP has a room in a shared house then he would only be eligible for the shared accommodation rate. However, his full rent should be paid for 13 weeks if he hasn't claimed HB during the last year.