Am I entitled to any benefits

moneyworrier2021

I think the answer is probably a flat out no but I am curious as to whether I am entitled to any personal benefits.

My husband works full time. £24,600 a year and that now doesn't cover all of our outgoings.

I currently can't work as I need to be available for my 6 year old Autistic Son before and after school. We claim both carers and DLA for him 

Would I be right to assume because I can't 'work' because I need to be available for my son, I can't claim anything further? JSA im guessing is a no no.

poppy12345

Universal Credit maybe possible. The carers allowance will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. You'll be entitled to the carers element of UC in with your claim. It will also include a child element and disabled child element (depending on what award for DLA it is) As well as couples standard element. Housing element too, if you rent your home.

As it's a means tested benefit you'll need to claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you'll be excluded from claiming.

Use a benefits calculator and put both your details to check if you're entitled to anything. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=5ae8eded-e931-4e04-9c0a-48fa16d23429

moneyworrier2021

Thanks for the link.

Says we may be entitled to a Council discount of about £40 a month and I could claim £40 extra on UC so I think once I've got my careers allowance sorted this month, I will contact them and pursue further 

poppy12345

If the benefit calculator says you're entitled to UC then i wouldn't wait because once you claim you won't get your first payment until 1 month and 6 days later. Then it's paid on the same date each month. Make sure that you tell them that you care for your son for at least 35 hours per week and then you'll have the carers element included with your maximum entitlement.

moneyworrier2021

Ive put a claim online so we'll see what happens. They'll probably come back and say we aren't entitled to anything.

Pollycat

moneyworrier2021 said:

My husband works full time. £24,600 a year and that now doesn't cover all of our outgoings.

Pop over to the debt free wannabe board, there's lots of people who can give you suggestions to cut your outgoings.
Very friendly, helpful and non-judgemental.
They'll ask you to do a SOA (statement of accounts).
I'm on my phone and can't find the template but if nobody else posts the link I'll do it later.