Please can someone help me

FatVonD

Hi all, I am new to claiming benefits and would appreciate a bit of advice about what's what as I need to make a decision about something this weekend.

The fixed term contract I have been working on ends on Friday and I have been offered a part time minimum wage job (20 hour contract on £7.05 per hour) and was then planning to claim WTC and CTC (my son is 20 in August) as my husband is also on a low salary (£7,000pa)

My husband however moved out last Wednesday and it has thrown all my plans into turmoil. I don't know now if I would be better off not taking the job and claiming JSA instead but I haven't a clue as to what other benefits you are entitled to in each scenario.

If I take the job and apply for WTC and CTC is that all the help I will get and I have to still pay council tax etc?

If I sign onto JSA what other benefits would I been entitled to?

I think I've given all the pertinent information but if I've left anything out, please ask.

dippy3103

Is your son still in full time education? Do you still get child benefit for him!

Alice_Holt

Very Broadly -

JSA is £73 pw, you would also get Housing Benefit (if you rent) and Council Tax support.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/in-work-or-looking-for-work/benefits-for-people-looking-for-work/#h-how-much-jobseeker-s-allowance-can-you-get

Re: Tax Credits - if the separation is intended to be permanent you are able to claim as a single person.
http://revenuebenefits.org.uk/tax-credits/guidance/how-do-tax-credits-work/understanding-living-together/

CTC depends on your son being in full time non-advanced education or approved training.
http://revenuebenefits.org.uk/tax-credits/guidance/how-do-tax-credits-work/entitlement/ctc-elements/

Council Tax Support / HB - if you on a low income you may still qualify for help.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/housing-benefit/help-with-your-rent-housing-benefit/
https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction

You could try a benefit calculator (entitledto, turn2us) to give an indication of how much better off you would be working.
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

Your local CAB would also be able to do a benefit calculation,
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-we-provide-advice/advice/

NeilCr

Alice, as ever, gives great advice

I'd definitely say go to your local CAB for a benefit calculation and any other advice/support they may be able to give you. You are in a difficult and complicated situation that a face to face conversation will surely help. Much better than what folks will say on an online forum

Good luck!

FatVonD

Thank you all, I hadn't thought of the CAB, I will look for my closest one, but if I'm not going to take the job I really should let them know this weekend and I am working all week so won't get a chance to get to the CAB before then.

FatVonD

dippy3103 wrote: »

Is your son still in full time education? Do you still get child benefit for him!

No, he's not in full time education, he is looking for work and i do get CB.

FatVonD

Alice, I have a mortgage (in my name only), what would the equivalent of housing benefit be for a homeowner be called, please?

kingfisherblue

FatVonD wrote: »

Hi all, I am new to claiming benefits and would appreciate a bit of advice about what's what as I need to make a decision about something this weekend.

The fixed term contract I have been working on ends on Friday and I have been offered a part time minimum wage job (20 hour contract on £7.05 per hour) and was then planning to claim WTC and CTC (my son is 20 in August) as my husband is also on a low salary (£7,000pa)

My husband however moved out last Wednesday and it has thrown all my plans into turmoil. I don't know now if I would be better off not taking the job and claiming JSA instead but I haven't a clue as to what other benefits you are entitled to in each scenario.

If I take the job and apply for WTC and CTC is that all the help I will get and I have to still pay council tax etc?

If I sign onto JSA what other benefits would I been entitled to?

I think I've given all the pertinent information but if I've left anything out, please ask.

Minimum wage is £7.20 an hour.

Also, if your son is not in education but looking for a job, I don't think that you should be getting child benefit and CTC for him - he should be claiming JSA instead. You could have an overpayment to pay back.

FatVonD

Okay, thanks, he was at college but dropped out, I will let them know.

I was sure they said £7.05 but the contract hasn't arrived yet, I will check that too.

p00hsticks

FatVonD wrote: »

Alice, I have a mortgage (in my name only), what would the equivalent of housing benefit be for a homeowner be called, please?

There;s Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) - but you need to be on certain benefits for this and it doesn't start to be paid for 39 weeks

https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest/overview

sheramber

Have you notified the Child Benefit office that your son has left full time education/

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19

When approved education or training ends

When your child leaves approved education or training payments will stop at the end of February, 31 May, 31 August or 30 November (whichever comes first).

Child tax Credit is not payable after the child reaches 20 years so ,no, you will not get CTC.

For WTC you need to work 30 hours a week as you are no longer responsible for a child, unless you are aged 6o.

You could use a benefit calculator to see what you can claim
http://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou