Both redundant,disabled son. No idea on benefits

Welshmum2disabledson

Hi, I am a mum who has just lost their job through restructuring, but not eligible for redundancy payments as I've not worked there long enough. I'm devastated not just about the loss of income. I worked hard for them and in return they were really kind in being flexible with my hours so I could fit in my sons Drs appointments and take him to/ from school ( he is disabled).

Worse still, my husband has just been told that he is being made redundant. He is the main wage earner. So we have just sold our only car and adding that to his redundancy we will have over £16,000 in the bank. But that won't last long if we can't find jobs and we have a huge mortgage to pay etc.

Thankfully we don't have much on the credit card bills.

We were fortunate to be in work earning enough that we never considered claiming any sort of benefit.
But now we are worried that we won't be able to cover our basic necessities. Our 2 children are primary school age.

Our youngest son is disabled and needs a lot of direct support and help from us ( he is registered visually impaired & has regular pediatrician appointments as he blacks out, has hormone problems and continence issues even now at age 7) someone mentioned about DLA and carers allowance and mobility. I have no clue what all this is.

We are desperately trying to find jobs as we don't want to apply for benefits but I think we will be forced to soon. We are so naive and know nothing about benefits please help and let us know what sort of benefits we might be entitled to as I'm feeling sick with worry.Thankyou

mgdavid

no direct help, sorry - but suggest you copy your post across to the Benefits board
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=139

McKneff

Please don't worry too much and apply for benefits. You are entitled to them.
You will be fine.


Come back on here for support,

Welshmum2disabledson

Thankyou so much for your kind words and suggestion to post this in the benefits section

merlin68

You need to claim dla and if awarded middle or high rate you can claim income support and carers allowance. Whilst you have 16k it will stop you getting most benefits, but you can claim jsa couples rate for six months which is £112 a week. Also child tax credits of £115 a week and child benefit of £34

merlin68

just reread if your son is registered visually impaired you should get high rate dla.

sleepless_saver

Have a look at this site (turn2us.org.uk) to check what benefits you might be entitled to, and to get more information about benefits generally. You might also find it useful to make an appointment with CAB for advice.

asajj

Sorry to hear that - you said you haven't worked for them long enough. How long you were with them ?

WillowCat

You can each claim contributions based JSA while you are seeking work if you have enough NI contributions paid. This is not means tested.

Child tax credits are also not means tested. As said above, claim DLA for your disabled child - again not means tested and is paid regardless of whether you are working.

Even once your husband has found another job, if your son needs as much care as it sounds, if he gets awarded at least middle rate care you can claim carers allowance for yourself. This is not means tested provided you don't yourself earn more than £100 ish a week.

Good luck, and don't worry, there's more help available than you think.