Not Eligible for JSA or UC not sure what to do.

Errie

I am at my wits end. My partner was laid off a couple of weeks ago and there is no chance of him being taken back and furloughed. He had been there less than 2 years so isn’t eligible for redundancy, and can’t challenge being laid off. As he had not paid enough NI up to March 2019 he can’t claim JSA and because I work we aren’t eligible for any UC. My salary will just about cover our rent but literally nothing else. In a normal time my husband would be able to find work pretty quickly, but most of his industry has a recruitment freeze. 

All the support put in place by the Government during the Coronavirus crisis is dependent on being in employment or qualifying for benefits. We feel totally ignored and abandoned and increasingly desperate.
 Now my company is suggesting that they may be asking everyone to take a 20% pay cut - this would mean that my salary wouldn’t even cover the rent, let alone anything else. What can we do? 

mattyprice4004

Supermarkets are looking for staff - hand out CVs the old fashioned way (where safe to do so) or email them in. 
Delivery drivers are also needed, as are other 'key worker' functions - there's still lots of work out there.

Good luck! 

Errie

Thanks for the suggestions, this is a bit complicated as he has an underlying health condition which means he should be self isolating, so while he would be willing to go for jobs like this it isn’t advisable.

poppy12345

Errie said:

Thanks for the suggestions, this is a bit complicated as he has an underlying health condition which means he should be self isolating, so while he would be willing to go for jobs like this it isn’t advisable.

Has he received a letter from his GP advising him to isolate for 12 weeks? He only needs to self isolate if he's received that letter.

Hermann

Have you checked the Universal Credit situation with an up to date online calculator?

calcotti

Errie said: ...because I work we aren’t eligible for any UC. My salary will just about cover our rent but literally nothing else. 

If your salary is just enough to cover the rent it seems very unlikely that there is no entitlement to UC. UC includes a basic amount plus help with rent.

Lots of information here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/. 

There are online calculators to help you assess entitlement  https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Be aware that claiming UC will end any Tax Credits, Housing Benefit or other means tested benefits you currently get. If you are getting these try and check your entitlement before deciding whether to claim UC.

You will be excluded from UC if you have savings over £16,000.

You may also be able to claim Council Tax Reduction from your local council

Errie

@calcotti Our rent is high and my husband was the main wage earner so while we can manage for a month or so, beyond that is going to be tricky. I have checked on all 3 calculators and we also spoke to the council and are entitled to nothing. My salary is enough to cancel out any help but not enough to survive on 🤷🏼‍♀️. We have a little in savings, about £500, nowhere near £16k unfortunately.

@poppy12345 I’m guessing the guidance for underlying conditions has changed since I read them - which is good, things are changing so quickly it is hard to keep track! I’ll get him to check out some of the local job boards to see if there is anything he can do.

Thank you 😊