Back to work

[lorraine777]

Can anyone suggest anything. I have been at home for 11 weeks now with my newborn child. From next week I will have to return to work which I was hoping I did not have to for at least 2 years. The problems I have had is that I cannot get CTC or the sure-start grant and receive only child benefit and 139.00 per week maternity money. My husband will look after little one until he gets work but I was so surprised at the system and how little help you get does anyone have the same or similar issue?

[Lilaclily]

Your husband would be entitled to job seekers wouldn't he ?

[LIZS]

If your husband is out of work can he not claim JSA and potentially Housing Benefit, free prescriptions etc or jointly Income Support. If he becomes a sahd he don't be deemed available for work.

[lorraine777]

Thank you for the responses but he's not entitled apparently not paid into it enough and we cannot get income support apparently because I am working for an agency. The system is mind blowing and we have tried every avenue but wandered we have missed anything. Thankfully we get free prescriptions, housing benefit and council tax paid a little which helps but living from my income alone is heavy going. I will ask him to try job seekers again but looks like from next week I will go back until he gets something and then come off the housing and council tax benefit, less hassle it seems. Thank you again

[LIZS]

He needs to claim income related JSA. Has he perhaps been sanctioned because of the circumstances of his previous employment ending.

[lorraine777]

I will ask him and take a trip to the jobcentre, thank you so much for this as he has been turned down before but never asked is he could apply for income related. Let you know the outcome, thanks again. Glad I joined mumsnet