To apply for benefits?

[Shandied]

I have name changed (not really sure why) but have been a member for a while and haven't joined to do a first post intended to be goady or anything!

I have no idea about benefits, but getting really, really short of money now so wondering if anyone could advise what they would do- I did consider another forum but wasn't sure what it would come under!

I had a fairly high flying job but it was a sizable commute, 2 hours door to door each way, which although managable before having DS (unplanned but much loved) it's too much. My DH is often away with work (just home at weekends, often is away for longer periods so I'm on my own for months sometimes), which means that no childcare provider locally can provide 4 hours plus a whole working day, it wouldnt be affordable anyway. Our money is shared but be doesn't earn much in honesty, it doesnt cover all of the bills (and we took the smallest mortgage possible for the area; it was half of what we were eligible for), but things keep rising. DS is now one, I left my job when he was a month old because I knew it wouldn't be workable despite trying to think of every possible solution, and I didnt want to receive and have to pay back maternity pay. I recieved the basic level.

Anyway, I have been applying for jobs for the past 6 months, anything and everything- full time and part time although I can't do evenings because noone to have DS. I was naieve as to how hard it would be to secure any job, not because I think I'm great but just as I've always been lucky before I guess. Money is now very tight, I'm still applying but no idea if I'd be eligible for anything? Close to not being able to pay bills, I know I should have thought of this before but it was a bit of a whirlwind and definitely didn't realise the relentlessness and challenges.

Would I be eligible because I voluntarily left my job? Even if no money, are they actually useful in helping you search for work?

This is just a short time in your life, you've worked and will work again in the mean time I hope you can get some support to get past this stage.
Definitely look at the page suggested to you and do some calculations.

The rules used to be if you voluntarily became unemployed there was a 6 month period where you couldn’t apply- no idea if that’s the case now. Otherwise it’ll be entirely dependent on your total household income - it incrementally decreases dependent on the total.

OP what does your DP make? otherwise we can't help

"other than Child Benefit, all benefits are now Universal Credit for new applicants?"

This is not true! Universal credit has replaced almost all means-tested benefits, which is a lot of benefits, but it certainly has not replaced ALL benefits and there are a lot which still co-exist with UC. Council Tax Reduction is still claimed separately and that's means-tested. And there are a lot of other non means tested benefits that people can claim. Contributory benefits - new-style JSA and ESA (general rule is that people are eligible if they paid NI in 2017-2019) and other benefits such as PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance...

I'm assuming he's in the army. If so, could you not move into married quarters at his posting and get a job locally there?