Lost Job, what benefits

sonub4ualt

Hi all,

I am asking this on behalf of a friend.

My friend is married with three children under 16. He was at full time work and his wife works 16 hours. He purchased a house in 2022.  Recently, lost his job and has been making applications, but no interviews due to Christmas. He has a mortgage to pay and bills, which he will be overdue shortly. He can only manage about 2 more months with his savings. He mortgage is due for renewal mid 2024.

Can someone please advice if he can claim any benefits until he gets a new job. He has not claimed any so far, as he was a high rate tax payer. Considerably his mortgage is high, will he be getting any assistance from either government or local council until he finds a job. Also, he does not want have a remark on his credit profile, which is clean until now. What are his options for childcare costs, such as nursery, school meals, mortgage payment assistance etc. 

TIA

Brie

He will likely be eligible for job seeker's allowance and might qualify for  universal credit but neither will come anywhere near the salary he is used to.  Things may be reduced depending on the reason he lost his job.  Redundancy is fine, being fired or quitting is not.  But I am not a benefits expert.

What he must do, and sooner rather than later, is contact everyone he pays money to and advise them he is under a financial strain and that he needs to put payments on hold.  These will show up on his credit history but make things a bit easier for him to concentrate on finding a new role.  

Alice_Holt

He can claim new style JSA
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-jobseekers-allowance
This is based on his recent NI contributions.


If household savings are below £16k, they should check if they have an entitlement to Universal Credit. 
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
This is means-tested. 

There is no direct help with mortgage payments.  UC may be able to help with childcare costs, but also look at:
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/becoming-a-parent/help-with-childcare-costs

peteuk

Take a look at the debt free pages on this forum.

Contact all his non essential debts and advise them that due to circumstance he will pay a token payment (£5) this may help make their savings last longer and keep their essential payments going.  

Talk to the banks and advise them of the situation, a mortgage holiday may help, again for me it’s about being honest.

Good luck hopefully they will find employment soon.