Slightly complicated situation,advice on benefits would be great!

Sirzig · 20 January 2020 at 12:07AM

Hi,my wife sadly passed away in december from cancer leaving me with 3 children (11,9+5).im 42 and have been with current employer for approx 15 years am currently signed off with stress which enables me to take care of my children day to day but this obviously cant continue,soon i will be on half pay then statutory sick pay which wont be enough to pay the bills.ive claimed child benefit and bereavement support payment already which has been helpful and benefit calculators suggest im entitled to about £320 a week but realistically how do i apply for this?if im currently in employment how can i leave my work and claim benefits?surely voluntarily leaving a job immediately excludes me from claiming universal credit etc?
I get the impression work would happily be rid of me as restructuring of the company makes my job fairly obsolete but i imagine they will offer flexible or part time hours in a different role in the company,neither of which would be suitable as i either wouldnt earn enough or wouldn't be able to fit school runs in as work is 30mins away.
Sorry for rambling on,Any advice on how to handle the situation would be helpful!thanks

Rubyroobs · 20 January 2020 at 12:23AM

You can claim Universal credit. You may be asked to look for work as your youngest child is at school , however your work coach can give you ' easements' on your work commitments as you have had a recent bereavement. Hopefully this would be the case for at least 6 months. Bereavement support payment should not be deducted from UC entitlement for the first 12 months I believe. If you did want to consider part time work then Uc would top up your wages . So sorry for your loss.

huckster · 20 January 2020 at 7:58AM

If you can stay employed with the current company, that might be in your best interest.

What support do you need to stay in employment ?

There is not enough information in your post to offer best advice. Such as do you have any Housing costs ?

Use a benefits calculator such as Entitledto or Turn2us. Remember that Universal Credit is a benefit for people both in work and not in work. Childcare costs can be included in a UC claim, for which 85% of the costs are included in UC entitlement up to about £1100 (2 children or more) per monthly assessment period.

Perhaps start a discussion with your GP and your employers about a phased return to work. Find out from school and other childcare providers what help is available. It might be possible if you are in a position to do so, to start off doing reduced work hours, so you are around to take children to school and pick them up. Then later increase your hours, if this is possible.

It can be much easier to find work, if you are already in work. As soon as you give up for a period, although you may have good reasons, it can be be a struggle to obtain a new job. Don't get stuck in a benefits trap where you solely rely on benefits payments, if you can avoid doing so.

Sirzig · 20 January 2020 at 9:21AM

Thanks for the replies, fortunately my wife was very sensible and had took a life insurance policy which paid our mortgage off so i dont have those worries,i dont have any family who could take or collect children from school so realistically my working hours would be10-2pm each day which my company may accept but would also be losing £25 a week diesel if i commute and am aware come school holidays i cant work?

calcotti · 20 January 2020 at 9:41AM

Rubyroobs wrote: »

YYou may be asked to look for work as your youngest child is at school , however your work coach can give you ' easements' on your work commitments as you have had a recent bereavement. Hopefully this would be the case for at least 6 months.

Work coach actually has no discretion over this. Work search requirements must not be imposed for 6 months following the death of a partner and claimant is not required to be available for work.

UC Regulations - Regulation 99

sheramber · 20 January 2020 at 11:22AM

Are there any after school/breakfast clubs?

My grandson goes to breakfast club at his school at 8am.

He goes to after school club when school finishes. He is collected by the after school club and escorted to their premises. He also goes there all day in the school holidays.

xylophone · 20 January 2020 at 11:24AM

Have you asked other working parents at your children's schools what childcare arrangements they have?

I wonder whether it would be possible for you to continue to work but use the services of a childminder for the school run/school holidays etc?

Sirzig · 20 January 2020 at 12:01PM

Yes i considered the breakfast club and after school clubs but was very aware that the children have lost their mum and didnt think dumping them with school for longer hours would be helpful for them but im also trying to be realistic ive worked all my life and never believed i would find myself trying to claim these benefits!

kazwookie · 20 January 2020 at 12:06PM

Go into the school and speak to reception, about what clubs etc they do have, and consider one or two days a week for your children

Also ask about child minders / holiday clubs etc

There is no harm is gathering information, even if you don't use it all.

Sorry for your loss

xylophone · 20 January 2020 at 12:56PM

children have lost their mum and didnt think dumping them with school for longer hours would be helpful for them but im also trying to be realistic ive worked all my life

For the moment you have a breathing space as you are "signed off" - take as much advantage of this as you can to help yourself and your young children through this very distressing time.

https://www.cruse.org.uk/ a source of support for you all?

Do look at a phased return to work/shorter hours etc and any benefits to which you might be entitled in your situation.

pmlindyloo · 20 January 2020 at 1:59PM

It is possible to claim Universal Credit in your circumstances although you may not be entitled to any money until you go onto half pay.

As previously said your bereavement payment will not be counted as income for one year.

And as also said, you will not be required to look for work for 6 months after a bereavement.

This is a good link with a link to a support service as regards benefits.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/claiming-bereavement-allowance-and-other-benefits

You said that you are entitled to UC according to a benefits calculator. Was this for when you went on half pay?

You can put different scenarios into a calculator to take account of different circumstances.

Claiming UC will give you a chance to explore different options as regards childcare and will also give you a chance to work with your employer as to how they may be able to help.

It must be a very difficult time for you so do take your time to adjust and look after yourself and your children. My condolences.

Edit:
If you were able to go back to work on a part time basis which fitted in with your childcare then you still might be able to claim UC. UC is for those in work as well as those who aren't.

Slightly complicated situation,advice on benefits would be great!

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free