Where to get advice

jonnywoods

My situation is a little bit unusual, and I find it incredibly confusing to work out what help I am entitled to. I'll try to explain...

For the past few years I've been in full-time work, earning around £30k per year. My partner works for the same company, earning around £23k. We have recently had our first child.

We are both being made redundant in July, so will be unemployed. My payout will be around £8,000, hers around £4,000.

In terms of our future plans, I have decided to take a big step, and will be studying at University from September, so will be a full-time student for the next 3 years. My partner at the moment does not have any work lined up, and we are unsure what she is likely to do at this stage.

Can anyone offer any advice as to what we are entitled to? Tax Credits of some sort? Child Tax Credits? Housing Benefits? It is all so confusing to me. Do savings or our redundancy payouts affect entitlements?

Alice_Holt

I would think contribution-based JSa could be claimed by your wife whilst job hunting.This is not means tested. Depends on NI history over last 2 years.

Certainly CTC. If your combined savings are under £16k then Housing Benefit.

Where to get advice: Local CAB, CAB online adviceguide, turn2us, entitled to, the welfare office at your uni.

Torry_Quine

Also when you are a student you will be disregarded for council tax so your wife will be liable for only75%

jonnywoods

Thank you for the replies. Are any benefits affected by savings? I also read somewhere that students can't claim housing benefits?

pmlindyloo

jonnywoods wrote: »

Thank you for the replies. Are any benefits affected by savings? I also read somewhere that students can't claim housing benefits?

Any means tested benefits are affected by savings over £6000. They deduct £1 for every £250 over the £6K up to £16000. If you have over £16000 then you can't claim means tested benefits.

Full time students usually can't claim benefits but there are exceptions. Your partner could put in a claim if you meet the criteria.

Benefits are also affected by student loans/grants so the first thing you need to do is find out what loans and grants you would be eligible for. Your university welfare department would be a good place to start. Once you know which grants/loans you are eligible for then you will have a better idea of your finances.

Here's a useful link:

http://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/money-and-funding/can-i-claim-government-benefits-as-a-student/