Still seeking advice on benefits...

CIS

It depends whether the JSA under the hardship grant is classed as income based JSA. surestart only look at income based JSA, but its worth asking.

Otherwise you have 3 months from the date of birth to claim, so get in your WTC/CTC claim as soon as possible , either apply online at the time (you need to register in advance) or fill as much of the form in advance as possible and have it ready to post as soon as you have an award notice(if you register online, you can print a copy and they oftern appear online a few days quicker than you get them in the post)

starlite_2

He he..yes i have the forms and have filled them in as far as possible..can you tell how desperate we are!?
Still trying to get through to the job centre..but keeping fingers crossed.

starlite_2

Bad news.
Just got passed from Catford to Belfast, then three different departments within them, then back to general London office ,then to somewhere in Scotland and finally to a really nice lady who tried her best and was very sympathetic but said all she can do is send me leaflets about what I can possibly claim (as if I need them after the help from mse'rs), and to apply for a crisis loan, which i have done twice recently but been declined for.
They had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned the 'hardship rules' or for that matter the 'surestart grant' ...argh!

CIS

sounds like you where sent to a call centre, these handle benefit appointments and job applications. I dont think that they are trained to handle benefit enquiries.

If you are a jobcenteplus area, they should be able to tell you in your local office otherwise if you are still in an old style jobcentre area,youshould still have Social Security Offices who should be able to help with benefits.

Try printing the pages off and visiting your local office. I'll have a look and see if I can dig up anything further.

CIS

Have you tried claiming HB/CTB, your joint income may be a little high, but it may be worth a try.

http://www.boston.gov.uk/web042000/housing/calc/wbc.htm

Social fund guidance (may be worth a read) ,

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/sb16/

starlite_2

well the problem is I am all but housebound with SPD from pregnancy so I can't manage trips to the offices..I understand it may help me, but i have done it twice recently and was knocked out for the next couple of days..

starlite_2

p.s you'd think this would count me as 'inacapacitated' right..but apparantly not..ho humm...

Lyndsay_21

Just to let you know you DONT have to be 25 to collect WFTC me and my oh are 23 and we've been getting it over a year. so apply you are entitled

CIS

WTC is payable for:
Over 25 and working over 30hrs p/w
or
Over 16, working over 16hrs pw and disabled
or
Over 16, working over 16hrs pw and responsible for a qualifying child/young person

helen21_2

I am right in thinking you have to be either over 25, or disabled to claim the working tax credits without having children, this is why starlite is unable to claim as she hasnt got any children yet.