Any deadline to claim JSA & housing? @complex crossroad

moontan

Hello! Does anyone know if there is a deadline - and what - to claim benefits: JSA and housing benefit, i.e. time between losing job and claiming benefits?

My story is complex and probably would fit under few other categories. Was made redundant on 16th Dec, verbally. Was asked to leave and promised 1 month's pay. A week later received an agreement in which my dismissal was named as "TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Your employment was terminated without notice on 16th December 2016".This term is often used when an offence/misconduct was the reason for dismissal.

Even in the dead of Christmas&N/year I was hoping to find a job. So far 1 interview per week, but still no job. My biggest issue is that my landlord does not welcome DSS and asked me to move out if I intend to claim benefits. So right now i have to find a place to rent where I would be accepted as benefits claimant - BEFORE I claim benefits.

Moreover, if and when I go to Jobcentre that agreement is the only document I have from my employer. So I have nothing to prove I was made redundant - and Termination without notice doesn't sound good at all. So i wonder how it will be seen by JSA assessor(s)?

Also, been on benefits before and know - housing benefit never covers the rent fully. That's where my savings went. What is the best way to survive this?

All advice welcome, whichever part of my post you might relate to. Thanks in advance!

marliepanda

If the housing benefit doesn't cover your rent, then you have no option but to either use savings or find a cheaper property. There's no way around this (you could apply for Discretionary housing payments but they are just that, discretionary, and are not awarded without a good reason)

You do not need to inform your landlord you're getting HB.

You need to apply asap as backdating is limited.

pmlindyloo

As you say, several strands to this.

First of all, your previous employment. Did you question your dismissal? Were any meetings (disciplinary for example) convened with your employer as to why you were being dismissed without notice? How long had you worked there? Probably a good idea to post on the employment board for advice about this. As you have indicated, dismissal without notice is usually because of gross misconduct. This needs to be sorted out if you intend to claim JSA as you may receive a sanction and be unable to claim for some time (possibly, you would have to apply for Universal Credit if you are single) The Job Centre Plus would certainly contact your employer to find out the reasons for the dismissal.

Your best option is to put in a claim for JSA (or UC) and see what happens.

As regards your housing your landlord cannot unilaterally say that you have to leave. How long have you been there? What kind of tenancy do you have. The landlord would have to give you notice for possession (if you aren't in a fixed term tenancy.)

There is also a 13 week protection period for housing costs. If you could afford the rent when your tenancy began and haven't claimed HB in the last 52 weeks then you will have your full rent paid for 13 weeks if you claim means tested benefits.

Since your post contains several different strands you may be wise to seek advice from CAB or a welfare advisor

moontan

I've been renting here since mid-March. No contract, just verbal agreement, rent in cash...

I've been out of job just over 1 month.

It would be problematic to prove my rent cost if I claimed at my current address as have no proof of my transactions of paying rent.

marliepanda

moontan wrote: »

I've been renting here since mid-March. No contract, just verbal agreement, rent in cash...

I've been out of job just over 1 month.

It would be problematic to prove my rent cost if I claimed at my current address as have no proof of my transactions of paying rent.

Sadly you won't qualify for the protection period.
You also won't get housing help (either Hb or UC) without a proof of liability for rent. You need to get a tenancy agreement...

Not sure how we can help you in this situation.

moontan

Tragedy.

Back to my main question - is there a deadline to claim benefits?

Bogalot

There is no deadline to claim, but you will not qualify for backdating without very good reason. It's rarely a good idea to delay claiming.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

marliepanda wrote: »

Sadly you won't qualify for the protection period.
You also won't get housing help (either Hb or UC) without a proof of liability for rent. You need to get a tenancy agreement...

Not sure how we can help you in this situation.

Or a letter from the landlord confirming the rent details.

marliepanda

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Or a letter from the landlord confirming the rent details.

Well I was considering the fact he does not want to let the landlord know he is claiming benefits. A letter may flag up things more than generally asking for an agreement, who knows.

moontan

The landlord knows that I am out of job - and is aware that I am to claim benefits, but doesn't want me to while living under his roof. He would not provide any letters, any details.

So I am looking for job - and a place to live where I could claim benefits. Yet to find either.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

moontan wrote: »

The landlord knows that I am out of job - and is aware that I am to claim benefits, but doesn't want me to while living under his roof. He would not provide any letters, any details.

So I am looking for job - and a place to live where I could claim benefits. Yet to find either.

So how does he expect you to pay the rent? You have already lost 5 or 6 weeks help towards your housing costs!