I need advice on claiming benefits. Husband just lost his job.

nervousnelly_2

I've just been on the line with a very kind lady at the LA. She told me I should apply for JSA if my husband can't, then I can claim housing benefit etc with my JSA documents

GwylimT

nervousnelly wrote: »

I've just been on the line with a very kind lady at the LA. She told me I should apply for JSA if my husband can't, then I can claim housing benefit etc with my JSA documents

Good luck with your job hunting, don't forget to inform your landlord if you receive HB as they may have to inform their insurer and mortgage lender if the property is mortgaged.

Pollycat

Good advice about checking out the old-style board for ideas on menu planning, cooking in bulk and freezing in post #4.


I'd also suggest that you post on the Debt Free Wannabe board.


There is a template on there where you can complete a Statement of Affairs (SOA) and the good people on there will give you excellent advice on how to reduce your outgoings.

nervousnelly_2

We have had tax credits stopped for a year because of his earnings. It's over the top limit. I am just surprised they will not offer any help at all even though now we're earning zero... but that's life..

Voyager2002

nervousnelly wrote: »

We have had tax credits stopped for a year because of his earnings. It's over the top limit. I am just surprised they will not offer any help at all even though now we're earning zero... but that's life..

Call them and tell them about the change of circumstances... they will re-assess if the difference is significant.

Voyager2002

Torry_Quine wrote: »

However he will probably be sanctioned for his JSA as he was sacked and this can be up to six months.

Probably is not the same as certainly... depends on what the employer says, what he says, who the decision-maker decided to believe...

Voyager2002

nervousnelly wrote: »

Also, I have a credit card. I owe £1700 on it, but I really don't think I should be paying it off now that we're not employed and even if we get on benefits, I really don't think I should be using benefits money to pay it off. Is it possible to declare bankruptcy or something like that to stop paying the card?

Not paying your card would ruin your credit rating, perhaps for the next six years. Decide whether that matters to you. If not, call them and ask them to freeze the interest and offer to make token payments (say a pound a month).

nervousnelly_2

I just called the HMRC and they said there's no way they are paying out anything now based on my husband's earnings so far. they have updated our circumstances but say I need to call them on 6 April again to put a claim in.

pebbles88

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-adviser

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Nelly, go to either of these sites & put your circumstances in, it will give you an estimate of what you may be able to claim.

X

nervousnelly_2

I just saw the CAB adviser. Been told he Will be sanctioned for up to 3 years from claiming JSA and I can't apply for myself only as we're a couple application... That's really bad. Because we can't get HB or anything if we don't get JSA