Are we really only entitled to JSA???

Danili

OH was made redundant a couple of weeks back. He had only been with the company for 6 months and so is only getting a weeks pay and his outstanding holiday (a week) as settlement. I'm SAHM as hasn't been worth me working with the price of childcare for our children (3). The house is mortgaged and in my name - we have no savings.

He is desperately trying to get a job (as am I) but despite searching all day, registering with countless agencies and going to a good few interviews is has as yet been unsuccessful. We went to the job centre yesterday and they have told us that he is probably entitled to JSA but I'm not as I haven't been working.. he has to go back next week to find out for certain. They told me to ring tax credits who told me that we aren't entitled to anything as he has learnt just over £40k so far this year - is this right??

I am worrying myself sick. Surely we must be entitled to something??

Comms69

You're entitled to JSA rate as a couple I believe. But obviously also entitled to child benefit and potentially housing benefit and council tax credit.

Icequeen99

Danili wrote: »

OH was made redundant a couple of weeks back. He had only been with the company for 6 months and so is only getting a weeks pay and his outstanding holiday (a week) as settlement. I'm SAHM as hasn't been worth me working with the price of childcare for our children (3). The house is mortgaged and in my name - we have no savings.

He is desperately trying to get a job (as am I) but despite searching all day, registering with countless agencies and going to a good few interviews is has as yet been unsuccessful. We went to the job centre yesterday and they have told us that he is probably entitled to JSA but I'm not as I haven't been working.. he has to go back next week to find out for certain. They told me to ring tax credits who told me that we aren't entitled to anything as he has learnt just over £40k so far this year - is this right??

I am worrying myself sick. Surely we must be entitled to something??

Unfortunately that could be correct for tax credits. It isn't that you aren't entitled to them- but you may get Nil because they look at annual income so if he has had a fairly high salary since April, that could wipe you out of tax credits until next April.

IQ

stoozie1

I imagine that if he's earnt 40k to date this year, he will be eligible for a tax refund once he isnt working.

pmlindyloo

What the Job Centre meant was that your OH may be eligible for contribution based JSA (based on his NI contributions if he has been working for the past 2/3 years.)

As you haven't been working then you would not be eligible for contribution based JAS.

If he is entitled to contribution based JSA then you can be added to his claim.

If he is not entitled to contribution based JSA then he can make a claim for income based JSA and add you to his claim.

You can apply to the council for council tax reduction in either case.

As you have a mortgage you would not be eligible for help with that for 39 weeks of being on JSA so not any help for now.

You need to telephone your mortgage lender and explain the circumstances. They may allow you a payment holiday, to go on interest only for a while or extend your term.

Also telephone your utility companies and check whether you are in credit with any of them and ask for a refund.

If you have any debts then contact your creditors and explain the situation and pay a nominal £1 a month whilst you are sorting yourself out.

You can post on the Debtfree Wannabe forum for further help with any debts.

Also, check that whether you have any cover for your credit cards (if you have them) through PPI.

Also, have you checked whether you had any mortgage protection (people often forget they have this)

It is going to be difficult financially so have you family who can help out?

Finally, and I am sure you are doing this, do not be fussy about what kind of jobs you apply for. Walk round your local town. There are often jobs available at this time of the year on a temporary basis, whether it be in restaurants/pubs/supermarkets/whatever. Take whatever you can to tide you over.

Good luck!

theartfullodger

Earnt over £40k so far this financial year (I presume you mean financial year) would mean annual earnings of some £56.4k+...

Suggest you run the benefits checkers the government link to to see what he might be entitled to..
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

& check out if you would eventually get help from SMI for the mortgage - IF you were claiming JSA or ESA
https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest

How much (total borrowed, monthly amount due) is the mortgage? And roughly what is the property worth, please? Presumable your mortgage lender knows you have no job...??

Surely you must be entitled to Child Benefit?

He should certainly apply for JSA so he gets at least something, and it helps get some other things.

Hope you & kids get through Xmas OK.. Tough times, tough times..

bigbill

If he gets income based JSA (IBJSA) with you included in his claim, you would get full child tax credits at around £170 weekly for 3 children as long as this IBJSA is paid.

sheramber

bigbill wrote: »

If he gets income based JSA (IBJSA) with you included in his claim, you would get full child tax credits at around £170 weekly for 3 children as long as this IBJSA is paid.

As explained above tax credits are worked out on annual income not just benefit received now. As earnings are already over £40k tax credits will not be due.

Are you claiming child benefit? If his income does not exceed £50k for the year child benefit would be due.

Danili

Thanks everyone! Really helpful advice.

Previously we haven't had child benefit as he was earning over the threshold but I have now managed to get this years backdated. If by some form of miracle he ends up earning over 50k we will have to pay it back through his tax. Will worry about that later if need be..

My house is worth about £575k with a repayment mortgage of £156,000. The repayments are £750 a month - I managed to fix a good rate for 5 years a couple of months back. My mortgage company don't know that I'm not working, but I was when I got the loan.

Unfortunately most of the seasonal work around here was filled about a month ago. We are not proud and will do anything legal to bring some money in! Have been selling lots of stuff and eating our way through the contents of the freezer. Really hoping that all the hours spent job hunting will be worth it and he at least has something lined up by christmas.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

Comms69 wrote: »

You're entitled to JSA rate as a couple I believe. But obviously also entitled to child benefit and potentially housing benefit and council tax credit.

No. They have a mortgage.

xylophone

Previously we haven't had child benefit as he was earning over the threshold but I have now managed to get this years backdated. If by some form of miracle he ends up earning over 50k we will have to pay it back through his tax. Will worry about that later if need be..

Did he not consider pension contributions?

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/sep/28/child-benefit-pension-contributions-higher-earners