tax credits and entitlements

upnorthdad

Hi I lost my job at the start of the month. I am married with a 2 year old daughter. We have applied for tax credits and housing benefit. My wife works full time £14000 a year. We are in a bit of a pickle. We rang the tax credits office today and they said we had made a mistake on the form and it looked like I was still earning. So it's going to be at least another two weeks before we hear anything. The council office has also informed us that there is a back log of claims forms. They are unsure as to when we will hear anything back. We have only had our £82 child benefit to live on all month. Do I apply for jsa or will that effect tax credits. My wife gets paid Friday after bills have been paid we will be in the same situation next month. I don't know which way to turn.

bloolagoon

upnorthdad wrote: »

Hi I lost my job at the start of the month. I am married with a 2 year old daughter. We have applied for tax credits and housing benefit. My wife works full time £14000 a year. We are in a bit of a pickle. We rang the tax credits office today and they said we had made a mistake on the form and it looked like I was still earning. So it's going to be at least another two weeks before we hear anything. The council office has also informed us that there is a back log of claims forms. They are unsure as to when we will hear anything back. We have only had our £82 child benefit to live on all month. Do I apply for jsa or will that effect tax credits. My wife gets paid Friday after bills have been paid we will be in the same situation next month. I don't know which way to turn.

It's very hard to be in this position. Tax credits are based on annual awards and last years earnings have an impact too. Your earnings this year plus your JSA (I'm assuming you have conts based entitlement) plus your wife's will be used. Depending on your wage the award may be low.

Housing benefit is not annual and may go through quicker.

Depending on how you lost your job and your previous work history you may be able to claim JSA for up to 6 months.

upnorthdad

Our total earnings for last year were £35000.

bloolagoon

Someone should be able to tell you a more accurate tax credit figure but I estimate that your income was around £5.5 this year to date. JSA will be around 2.5k plus your wife's £14k so £22k approx.

Do you have any redundancy payout and also could there be an element of gross dismissal. Have you worked mainly full time for 12-13 and 13-14?

upnorthdad

I got sacked for gross misconduct. I pushed someone at work after an acute attack of stress.

bloolagoon

upnorthdad wrote: »

I got sacked for gross misconduct. I pushed someone at work after an acute attack of stress.

Ok - please be aware that they may sanction your JSA. Still apply though just be aware they may sanction you.

Put figures into entitled 2 benefit calculator. Use your wife's earnings, your earnings to date and no JSA as this is questionable at the moment.

Re your rent figure. It will bring up your LHA rate. If you have not claimed housing benefit for the past year you should get protection for a while. So if your rent is higher the additional rent will be paid under the protection rules. I think it's 26 weeks but not sure.

If you are still stressed see your GP and consider Esa as this doesn't have sanctions

nannytone_2

do you have childcare costs?
if so, you should consider taking over the childcare yourself until all benefits are in place

nannytone_2

blondebubbles wrote: »

The household income this year would need to be less than £32,500 to receive any tax credits.

As mentioned though, tax credits is based on what you earn in the tax year rather than week to week. So at the moment you would most likely be entitled however if you returned to work in this tax year you could end up overpaid depending on when you returned and what you earned.

why 32.5k when there is only 1 child?

upnorthdad

So I've been told today we will get £11 a week tax credits. Not much to live on.

pmlindyloo

I disagree with your taking over childcare as it may be difficult to reinstate this when you get a job.

So, it is very likely that you will be sanctioned for being dismissed for gross misconduct. If you get medical proof that you were suffering from a mental illness the you might stand a chance.

I would work on the assumption that you will be sanctioned but still apply for contribution based JSA.

In the meantime go to your nearest town with your CV and look for a job - any job to give you some income. Look in the local papers etc etc.

Whatever benefits you will be eligible for there will be a waiting period.

Telephone all necessary people and let them know your current situation. Cancel DDs if necessary to stop any incurred interest. Most creditors will allow you a month's leeway if you inform them.

Make rent your priority unless to have a decent landlord who will allow you to miss a month whilst you wait for your HB (this will be backdated) Ditto for council tax - also a priority.

If you are desperate ask for a short term overdraft from the bank/borrow from family/sell something. Check the utility companies(electricity/gas/water) and see if you are in credit and ask for a cash refund.

Good luck.

sxcizme3010

Id say speak to somebody at CAB - think they do an online chat as they will go through what you are entitled to and help with forms etc. Id suggest even doing agency work until something more suitable comes up (if thats possible) but make sure you claim what your entitled to. Social security is for times like this when you need a help in hand :-)