benefits question

Sharra

Hi I hope this is the right place to post this question.
My partner has just been made redundant and I'm trying to work out what we'll be entititled to until he finds a new job.
I think he should be able to claim contributions JSA and we should get some working tax credits too as I work part time.
My main questions are - do they take into account any redundancy payments when calculating whether he gets JSA and the tax credits? Also, we have payment protection on our mortgage, so we should get about £500 towards paying it a month - is this taken into account when calculating our benefits?
Many thanks if anyone can shed some light on this.

Crabman

Hi Sharra, I've moved this to the 'Benefits and Tax Credits' Board

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]!!!!!![/EMAIL].

Rabiddog_2

entitled.to .....a great quick and simple website

cabbage

HI

contribution based jsa is based on NI contributions. Savings, partners etc usually don't affect it. Its payable for six months. If after six months your OH isn't working he would have to claim income based jsa which is means tested and the whole household income and savings are taken into account. On both, you have to sign up to the jobseeking agreement and fulfil general criteria

If you have kids then you should still be entitled to Child Tax Credit but you need to let HMRC know of your drop in income and get your award adjusted now.

You may also be entitled to Working Tax Credit if you work 16 hours or more per week and are on a low income. There are rules about people without children, people working with disabilities and people who are 50+ returning to work but I am assuming these don't affect you so I won't go into them here.

In any event. you need to let HMRC know about your change of circumstances so that they can adjust your award accordingly and again when your husband finds work (fingers crossed).

As for Payment Protection Insurance - I'm not 100% sure but I think it goes straight to the mortgage lender and therefore its not payable to you. My advice would be to disclose this and any redundancy payment on any application for benefit and then you are covered as you have disclosed it and not forgotten to let them know.

You can check your benefits on entitled to, via CAB or your local authority's Welfare Benefits Section.