Not Entitled to Anything?

Gypsum_Fantastic

Hi folks.  I'm after some advice on my situation.  We seem to have fallen between the cracks somewhat and we're a bit stuffed, financially.  Any help or advice would be great!

• My wife works 2 days a week as physio in a private hospital.
• Our 1 y/o baby was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and coeliac disease in Sept.
• Wife took unpaid leave to train nursery staff in coeliac & diabetes care & insulin pump operation.
• Nursery all trained up, wife returned to work.
• Then Coronavirus came.  Nursery shuts.  No other childcare options available* so wife can't work.
• Wife not furloughed as her workplace remains open.  She had to take unpaid leave to look after the baby.
• Wife also has her own business decorating weddings.
• All weddings cancelled.  So no income from that either.

*We've looked into it and no other nursery within a 25 mile radius is able to accommodation our baby's additional medical needs.

Previously, her income was 75% physio work, 25% wedding work.  Now she's getting nothing whatsoever.  As I understand it she can't get the self-employment grant as that's not her primary income.  We get Disability Living Allowance for the baby and we've applied for Carers' Allowance months ago but heard nothing back.

Is there something I'm missing here?  It's literally impossible for her to work, because of Coronavirus, and yet she is receiving nothing whereas most other people seem to be receiving something at least.

Any advice gratefully received

poppy12345

Universal Credit maybe possible but this will depend on circumstances. As it's a means tested benefit then you claim as a couple. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

A claim for UC will end any tax credits you may already be claiming.

Gypsum_Fantastic

Thanks for that Poppy.  I just tried that but it tells me we're not entitled to anything.  Probably because I'm on half-decent money.  Unfortunately my income alone won't cover our overheads.  Eeeek!

sharpe106

Can you take a mortgage holiday to lower your bills for  few months?

jayzor

Have you spoke to the nursey you usualy send your child about when they are likely to be back open again? It seems like most nurseries should of been opening from 1st June.

kingfisherblue

Firstly, I would contact Carer's Allowance. It generally takes a few weeks, but shouldn't take months. Ring and ask for an update.

poppy12345

kingfisherblue said:

Firstly, I would contact Carer's Allowance. It generally takes a few weeks, but shouldn't take months. Ring and ask for an update.

Under normal circumstances a claim for carers allowance can take between 8-12 weeks, delays could be increased now due to odvious circumstances. Although if the OP was earning more than £123 per week (after deductions) before April then they won't qualify in the weeks they were earning more than that amount.

kingfisherblue

poppy12345 said:

kingfisherblue said:

Firstly, I would contact Carer's Allowance. It generally takes a few weeks, but shouldn't take months. Ring and ask for an update.

Under normal circumstances a claim for carers allowance can take between 8-12 weeks, delays could be increased now due to odvious circumstances. Although if the OP was earning more than £123 per week (after deductions) before April then they won't qualify in the weeks they were earning more than that amount.

Yes, I'm aware of that, but the OP said 'months ago', which implies at least three months, maybe more.

calcotti

I’ve never understood why Carers Allowance claims take so long. It seems one of the simplest benefits to assess.

Grumpy_chap

Mortgage / loan payment holidays may be possible.
Defer tax payments.
Maybe eligible for BBLS in connection with the wedding decoration self-employment?

Icequeen1

Gypsum_Fantastic said:

Hi folks.  I'm after some advice on my situation.  We seem to have fallen between the cracks somewhat and we're a bit stuffed, financially.  Any help or advice would be great!

• My wife works 2 days a week as physio in a private hospital.
• Our 1 y/o baby was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and coeliac disease in Sept.
• Wife took unpaid leave to train nursery staff in coeliac & diabetes care & insulin pump operation.
• Nursery all trained up, wife returned to work.
• Then Coronavirus came.  Nursery shuts.  No other childcare options available* so wife can't work.
• Wife not furloughed as her workplace remains open.  She had to take unpaid leave to look after the baby.
• Wife also has her own business decorating weddings.
• All weddings cancelled.  So no income from that either.

*We've looked into it and no other nursery within a 25 mile radius is able to accommodation our baby's additional medical needs.

Previously, her income was 75% physio work, 25% wedding work.  Now she's getting nothing whatsoever.  As I understand it she can't get the self-employment grant as that's not her primary income.  We get Disability Living Allowance for the baby and we've applied for Carers' Allowance months ago but heard nothing back.

Is there something I'm missing here?  It's literally impossible for her to work, because of Coronavirus, and yet she is receiving nothing whereas most other people seem to be receiving something at least.

Any advice gratefully received

Your wife could have asked her employer to furlough her due to caring responsibilities, although can't make them do so. And the deadline is coming up so probably not much help now.