HELP!!

paul_shaw79

Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction??....Pleeease! My wife is currently on maternity leave from her job, but along with her last pay slip of the financial year she's also recieved her P45 as she's been laid off due to the Coronavirus outbreak. I work (on the books) in construction but have been told I'm being furloughed at the end of the week so I'll receive 80% of my usual pay. What benefits can we claim now that my wife is jobless??

calcotti

If needed look at eligibility for Universal Credit 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.

Both the above are means tested so there may be no entitlement depending on how much you are earning.

Is your wife expecting your child or has she given birth and is looking after her/him?

paul_shaw79

Hi Calcotti, she gave birth on 04/03/2020 & was on maternity leave for a month prior to her being laid off.

calcotti

paul_shaw79 said:

Hi Calcotti, she gave birth on 04/03/2020 & was on maternity leave for a month prior to her being laid off.

So your maximum UC entitlement would include a standard couple allowance and a child element (also a housing element if you rent). A part of your wages would be ignored but then a deduction of 63% would be made and if there's anything left that would be the UC payable.
As previously noted there are online calculators to help you assess entitlement  https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
You are excluded if you have capital over £16,000.