Housing Benefit question

incorrect_2

I am asking for a relative. Young couple with one child 7 months old they currently rent privately, she can't return to work yet due to complications following the birth, maternity pay has ended. He works full time and earns £23000 their rent is £550. Would they be able to get any help towards the rent just until she is able to get back to work?

pmlindyloo

incorrect wrote: »

I am asking for a relative. Young couple with one child 7 months old they currently rent privately, she can't return to work yet due to complications following the birth, maternity pay has ended. He works full time and earns £23000 their rent is £550. Would they be able to get any help towards the rent just until she is able to get back to work?

It is possible that they may be eligible for HB. The best thing to do is just apply - form from local council.

The mum may be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay whilst on additional maternity leave. Reading this link it appears to be a complicated issue.

http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/wp/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/sickness-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/

She could get a fit note from her doctor and then put in a claim to her employer following the usual sickness procedure out lined in her contract.

If they say she is not eligible then her employer should issue her with a form SSP1 and then she could put in a claim for contribution based ESA. (she will need a fit note from the doctor and have paid NI contributions for the last two tax years)

All rather complicated.

In these circumstances she should seek advice from CAB/similar or just ask her employer/claim ESA and see what they say.

Hopefully someone will come along and see about tax credits (not my area of expertise.) They will want to know the earnings of mum during 2014/2015 and what the expected salary of both during 2015/2016.

incorrect_2

Thanks for the quick reply