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Original poster

Redundant since January and only claiming £73 a week.

38 replies

Greenbutterlfy566 · 25/03/2020 21:14

My OH was made redundant in January and we are now living on £73 a week. Myself and DC are disabled and I am high risk.

Due to redundancy pay we cannot claim any other benefits. I really don't know what to do.

OP posts:
LIZS · 25/03/2020 21:17

Live on some of the payout?

LIZS · 25/03/2020 21:19

Do you claim pip or carers' allowance?

Original poster
Greenbutterlfy566 · 25/03/2020 21:19

And then what?

OP posts:
LouQoo · 25/03/2020 21:20

He will have been paid a certain amount of weeks redundancy pay. Statutory is £525 per week, once the period that is covered by redundancy pay has ended, you will be able to claim benefits.

Should you not be claiming disability benefits for you and your children anyway? Or is that the £73 a week you are currently claiming?

LIZS · 25/03/2020 21:24

Once the amount dips below the savings allowance you can claim uc.

littlemissmuffins · 25/03/2020 21:31

That IS Universal Credit. £73 a week after rent (IF you are lucky and don't have 30% of that taken off for debts or the loan for the 5 week wait to get payment, and IF your rent is within the lowest bracket for your area).
500,000 people are about to realise what living in universal credit actually means. The reality of living on that little money.

Babyroobs · 25/03/2020 21:34

£73 a week is the rate for a single person on Uc with no housing costs. If you have rent to pay and you have kids you will get extra elements, if you have disabled children in receipt of DLA then you get disabled child elements and are exempt form the benefit cap. If you have a disabled child on your claim you can also get carers element.

BarbaraofSeville · 25/03/2020 21:35

Do you get disability related benefits, which aren't income/asset related?

CB or does the redundancy payment take your income above the higher income threshold?

Original poster
Greenbutterlfy566 · 25/03/2020 22:12

Thankyou all. I already claim a small amount of dla for one child and I claim carers allowance.

Yes the redundancy payment takes us over the threshold.

OP posts:
Original poster
Greenbutterlfy566 · 25/03/2020 22:49

Is anyone else in the same position?

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 25/03/2020 22:53

This isn't really coronavirus related, is it?
It sounds as if you (as a family) are claiming all the benefits you're entitled to.
Partner gets nsJSA, child gets DLA, you get Carer's Allowance. Not entitled to Universal Credit because of savings over £16k.
As a PP pointed out, you'll be able to claim UC once your savings fall below £16k.
Remember you're fortunate to have that safety net. Most people don't.

AnotherEmma · 25/03/2020 22:54

Actually you didn't say whether or not you claim PIP for yourself?

Original poster
Greenbutterlfy566 · 25/03/2020 23:15

Yes it is coronovirus related as my OH needs a job. however, I am a high risk and the goverment is telling everyone to stay at home.

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 26/03/2020 05:46

You're not really living on £73 pw if you have other benefits and a redundancy payout.

You just need to live off the redundancy payout for as long as it lasts or falls below the threshold, being as frugal as possible to make it last and look into the mortgage and other credit help schemes.

Look at moneysavingexpert for advice on whether it's a good idea to use these - eg you might pay more interest so should probably only be used if absolutely necessary.

Next tax year, which starts in a week or two, you will be entitled child benefit again and also make sure he keeps up with his tax returns if you've received child benefit that needs to be paid back. Or was he a higher earner so you've not received any recently?

User286400 · 26/03/2020 06:22

You are supposed to live on the redundancy money, that's what it's for.

I would get him to look at jobs and see if there are any which he will be able to to taking into consideration your high risk.

TheWitchwithNoName · 26/03/2020 07:13

If you are self employed I’m assuming money saved to pay your tax counts as savings?

Itsnotthatcomplicated · 26/03/2020 07:22

For now you need to live in the redundancy pay out. That's what it's for.

It's clearly a significant amount, which is why you cant claim more in UC.

Can he go get work at one of the supermarkets?

MarthasGinYard · 26/03/2020 07:29

We both lost our jobs 6 months ago

Claimed JSA runs out this week

Now have zero income

BarbaraofSeville · 26/03/2020 07:39

If you are self employed I’m assuming money saved to pay your tax counts as savings

I imagine this is the case, but if so, would it be possible to do the 2019/20 tax return on 6 April and pay the tax bill straight away, so you don't face the prospect of having to spend your tax money on living costs?

It's not deprivation of capital because it's not really your money. Similiarly, if you have any outstanding invoices to pay in your business, get them paid?

Note that I am not an accountant, so anyone thinking of doing this should ask a qualified professional in case this wouldn't work or would lead to other problems. But to me it does seem to be something that may help.

Original poster
Greenbutterlfy566 · 26/03/2020 12:40

Thankyou everyone.

Why are we meant to use the redundancy pay to live, when workers are being told to stay at home whilst getting paid and get to keep their savings?

OP posts:
Itsnotthatcomplicated · 26/03/2020 12:49

Why are we meant to use the redundancy pay to live, when workers are being told to stay at home whilst getting paid and get to keep their savings?

Who is being told that?

At the moment people whose companies are open are working, where home if possible.

Where a company may have to temporarily close, but will be able to be open after, staff will be given 80% of their wages.

Many will be using savings, if they have the to supplement it.

What do you think redundancy money is for?

The question is why do you think you shouldnt have to use it?

Hoggleludo · 26/03/2020 12:52

If you don't want to live on the redundancy pay. What do you want to use it for?

Redundancy pay is for living on? No?

AnotherEmma · 26/03/2020 12:53

Some employed people are getting paid leave, not all - many are working from home while also juggling childcare, others are getting unpaid leave or have simply lost their jobs. The government is providing some financial support for people who have lost their income as a direct result of coronavirus.

Your partner lost his job in January so that was not a direct result of the current situation, although it does of course affect his ability to get a job now. However, the standard rules for means-tested benefits apply, which is that working age people with savings over £16k are not eligible. Those rules apply to everyone. Some might be able to get other help (despite their savings) but it won't be means-tested benefits.

QuillBill · 26/03/2020 13:30

Why are we meant to use the redundancy pay to live, when workers are being told to stay at home whilst getting paid and get to keep their savings?

That's what the redundancy money is for, living on until you get another job.

The Coronavirus is not some free holiday on the government. There are four adults in my family.

One is working from home. Full time.
One is self employed in the food industry, he has a takeaway, which is limping along. He's taking orders by text and Facebook message and only one customer is allowed in at once.
I'm a teacher so I'm still working.
One works for the NHS so still working.

Original poster
Greenbutterlfy566 · 26/03/2020 13:56

Quill. My point is there are no jobs because of coronovirus

OP posts: