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Confused about entitled.org and UC

Hi all

I'm hoping you may be able to help , I was a member a long time ago but have renewed

I've recently hit hard times, my marriage brokedown and my DH left , I then was put in a position to resign from my well paid job in a very quick manner

I have never been in this situation before and I'm confused ...I went on to the entitled to calculated which said I could look at claiming universal credit and housing benefit

But I've gone to complete the universal credit calculator which says I'm not entitled to and I need to claim job seekers ....I'm just confused and really not trying to be greedy but there is a very large difference and I don't understand why? Could anyone please advise ?

I would think some particulars may help.....I am 38 , 2 children 4 and 19 months

I was earning £45000 pa (I honestly don't know if this makes a difference) but due to things uncovered during my marriage breakdown I have huge Debts and no savings as I had to use it to move , I obviously expected to be able to rebuild but that hasn't been the case

Could anyone please advise ....why would I be unable to claim Universal credit and is it correct that JSA and HB are my only options ?

Sorry I should say I have only received child benefit recently

I really apologise if I have broken any posting standards that are used here usually I am returning after a very long break

I appreciate any help in advance

Thanks

Comments

  • Firstly in what way did you "resign", were you sacked, made redundant or just leave, it could make a difference
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Whether you can claim UC or not, will depend on whether you are in a UC full service area:
    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/jobcentres-where-you-can-claim-universal-credit

    If you cannot claim UC, then you may also be able to claim Tax Credits, and council tax reduction (from your council), in addition to JSA & HB.
    http://revenuebenefits.org.uk/tax-credits/guidance/how-to-deal-with-hmrc/contacting-hmrc-about-tax-credits/
    https://www.gov.uk/claim-tax-credits/how-to-claim

    Your local CAB / advice centre will be able to give you an indication of any entitlement.
    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/children-and-young-people/benefits-for-families-and-children/
    They will also be able to advise on any debts.
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
  • Thanks for your replies

    I don't mean to be vague I resigned but the reason was a bit delicate effectively I was asked to agree to illegal hiring practices and had an incident with a male colleague that made me vulnerable not actually sure if that makes any difference so whilst I did resign I had no choice although I realise to the DWP I effectively made myself jobless

    Thanks for the links that's great just a quick silly question....do I not need to work to claim tax credits ? Obviously I'm looking but it's not immediate

    Thanks again
  • Darksparkle
    Darksparkle Posts: 5,465 Forumite
    You may be able to claim contributions based JSA first which isn't covered by UC.

    You need to work to claim working tax credits but not child tax credits. Child tax credits will depend on your income for last tax year and estimation for this tax year.
  • Icequeen99
    Icequeen99 Posts: 3,775 Forumite
    Thanks for your replies

    I don't mean to be vague I resigned but the reason was a bit delicate effectively I was asked to agree to illegal hiring practices and had an incident with a male colleague that made me vulnerable not actually sure if that makes any difference so whilst I did resign I had no choice although I realise to the DWP I effectively made myself jobless

    Thanks for the links that's great just a quick silly question....do I not need to work to claim tax credits ? Obviously I'm looking but it's not immediate

    Thanks again

    You can claim child tax credit without working (along with JSA/HB) and/or working tax credit if you work enough hours (16 in your case). However these are being replaced by UC as well.

    Use this postcode checker https://www.universalcreditinfo.net to see whether you need to claim under the old system (JSA/HB/CTC) or UC instead.

    IQ
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