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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Desperate dp lost job.. What do we do.

51 replies

JustAskingForAFriend · 19/11/2018 12:28

So dp changed job 2 weeks ago for one that should of been better for us. He'd left a really good job.
The job didn't work out they said they couldn't afford him and got rid in trial period. There was Saturday.
He's just been for an interview now and he's got the job to Stert 1s week in Dec.

We dihdnt get much TC and had out 4 weekly payment on Fri.
I need to go online and update tax credits that's he's no longer working.
I'm guessing that will trigger to UC. Do they transfer it or do we?
We don't know yet how much the new job is, they're putting figures together and letting know. But it's only likely to be in the region of 20k.
Weve just about covered bills to end of Dec. Rest will have to go on cards for groceries etc.
I know the UC horror stories but we have no choice whatsoever. It sucks.
Im gutted as he tries so hard. I hadn't lonh given up my job after mat leave as we thought the other job would of been perfect. And we can't afford childcare and have no help at all with childcare.

OP posts:
newyorkartist · 19/11/2018 13:26

You say the new job only pays around £20,000 which sounds like a part-time position.

Ah @SusannahL, you've been missed. Not.

SusannahL · 19/11/2018 13:28

Well yes I know unskilled jobs are very poorly paid, but the OP did say that her husband had left a very good job, so I assumed he had some sort of qualification or skills.

somethingunsualcauseicanthink · 19/11/2018 13:31

Well yes I know unskilled jobs are very poorly paid, but the OP did say that her husband had left a very good job, so I assumed he had some sort of qualification or skills.

Maybe he took the first job available so that there would be money coming in

Cranky17 · 19/11/2018 13:32

*Shouldn't he be looking for full time work?

You say the new job only pays around £20,000 which sounds like a part-time*

I think you are being goody and taking the piss or have Know idea about the real world either not a great attitude

Karenoid · 19/11/2018 13:41

I would contact hmrc and ask them directly about whether you'd switch to UC rather than listen to incorrect advice on here.

Taken from low income tax reform group website:

In areas where the full service of UC is available, it is no longer possible to claim tax credits unless an exception applies. Existing tax credit claimants will not be affected unless they have a change of circumstances that ends their tax credits claim, they choose to claim UC instead of tax credits or they need to claim UC to access help with housing costs or out of work support. It is expected that most existing tax credits claimants will be moved to UC between July 2019 and the revised date of March 2023.

Allaboutmeandyou · 19/11/2018 13:47

I think the whole idea of UC is to wean people off benefits completely. I could be wrong and I think they do ask you to come in every so often to help you find work even though you are in work. The whole UC system confuses me they may pressure you to find work.

LakieLady · 19/11/2018 13:51

What karenoid said is incorrect. If UC has been rolled out in your area any change of circumstances will trigger a change over. This includes a change of income.

Sorry, it doesn't. Only certain changes will trigger a switch to UC, eg making a new claim for a "legacy benefit" ie ESA/JSA/IS/HB/TCs. If your income changes, or you move house but stay in the same council area, it doesn't. It's just a change of circumstances.

PattiStanger · 19/11/2018 14:01

You'll probably get more accurate help if you post in the legal or money or specific benefits topic if there is such a thing.

AIBU isn't a good place for proper advice on such an important issue

Babyroobs · 19/11/2018 14:01

It will only trigger a move to UC if he puts in a new claim for income related job seekers allowance. If he has paid enough NI contributions over the past few years he may be able to claim contributions based JSA instead. I guess it depends on your situation. If you currently get working tax credits then I think there would be a 4 week run on.

Babyroobs · 19/11/2018 14:03

A change in income will not trigger a switch to UC - that will only happen if you make a new claim for one of the six means tested benefits that UC replaces.

Bombardier25966 · 19/11/2018 14:09

If you currently get working tax credits then I think there would be a 4 week run on.

This is correct. If you lose your job there is a four week grace period for WTC. If you start work again within this period your claim continues as before.

There's some shockingly bad advice on this thread (and some accurate and very helpful). For those in the former category, please think before posting incorrect information that can have such a significant impact on someone's life.

mumsastudent · 19/11/2018 14:14

ring up CAB make an appointment & look up turn2us we are coming up to Christmas - its a pig but could he or you do Christmas job ie weekends or whatever fits to tide you over? he could still keep eye open for better job - seriously if offered a good job (too good to be true or any other) look up on internet to see what the company is like as employers ie have they done this before to other people also check "glassdoor" website - & check company finances out on web they have to submit accounts - check news to see if this company is in news as being in dicey financial situation. The dishonesty of some organisations is staggering - I am really sorry this happened to you. Years ago my dh was made redundant several times & it seemed that it was always a Christmas present that you didn't want

Babyroobs · 19/11/2018 14:17

Op - I would look at him claiming contributions based JSA ( called new style JSA in a full service Uc area), then you can continue on tax credits for now. If he has not paid enough NI contributions to claim New style JSA then it would be up to you whether you want to switch to Uc or just manage on the tax credits for a few weeks until wages come in again. Please be careful - if/ when you ring to claim new style JSA because it is all the same number to phone now and sometimes the poorly trained advisors will try to advise you to claim UC which you need to avoid if at all possible. Be insistent that it is New style JSA he wants to claim. It is possible to check his NI contributions online first if you are not sure he will qualify. It will be tax years 2015-16 and 2016-17 they will be looking at. If he qualifies they should email him a claim form.

Alanna1 · 19/11/2018 14:22

Perhaps go and speak to citizens advice re being triggered to UC.

PrivateDoor · 19/11/2018 14:27

I know you say you are only interested in UC, but personally I wouldn't want to rely on it, especially when you only have a short period of a couple of weeks until his new job starts. If you are desperate, sell some stuff and look for seasonal jobs that either of you can do, as other posters have said.

UC has been a nightmare for most people from what I have saw, so I would do absolutely everything I could to avoid it personally.

£20k doesn't sound like enough for you all to live on, is there any chance that you could work even evenings or weekends to bump it up a bit? Maybe it would take some of the pressure off him then support you all and might help you put a few £££ away to cover should anything like this happen again.

Merryoldgoat · 19/11/2018 14:29

@SusannahL

You do know that ‘good job’ can be a subjective term?

The fact there is an existing claim for tax credits suggests OP’s partner is not likely to be a high earner.

UpstartCrow · 19/11/2018 14:44

Phone ACAS straight away! They are as dodgy as fuck.

Original poster
JustAskingForAFriend · 19/11/2018 15:08

Thank you will update tax credits online and go from there. And if need be try and sort uc online.
it is FT 8 to 5 min to Fri. So above min wage. X

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 19/11/2018 15:25

Op did you read what I advised about the contributions based JSA ?

Ollivander84 · 19/11/2018 15:27

@SusannahL a FT job working as emergency services can be £22,000
Working for a luxury car brand FT - £21,000
I have qualifications and a degree but that's probably my max wage

5fivestar · 19/11/2018 15:29

I’d be tempted to just manage until he starts work, say nothing and stay away from UC.

Original poster
JustAskingForAFriend · 19/11/2018 15:30

Yes just read it lol.
He starts new job 3rd Dec. I cavbt do evenings as his self employed job is evening work.. Wedding's etc so its difficult tonworj around bookings.
He's definitely paid all NI.

OP posts:
Original poster
JustAskingForAFriend · 19/11/2018 15:34

Like I say bills will be paid until end of Dec. Its just general living, groceries and food.. We'll get by.

I was just thinking long term too.. Our tax credits is low because they're basing on last Yr and me working. And his old job was a bit higher paid ( but moved for less travel etc),
Its just so gutting that he tried to do best by us and its slapped him. In the face. :(

OP posts:
PickAChew · 19/11/2018 15:45

You say the new job only pays around £20,000 which sounds like a part-time position.

In your ivory tower, maybe, SuzannahL

TheWiseWomansFear · 19/11/2018 17:35

@SusannahL £20k could be part or full time depending on the job. Surely you understand that many people earn under 20k full time?

I work 40+ hours a week and get 17k....