How do I get benefits?

[Borisboohoo]

Long post sorry

We are in a dire financial situation at the moment. My DH is out of work (left due to bullying) and I'm a SAHM. He is looking for work but can't claim job seekers allowance for 24 weeks because he handed in his notice and wasn't sacked.

My youngest is only 4 months old and breastfed so whilst it is possible for me to look for work it is not ideal (although I will if this is our only option). We privately rent a 2 bed house for us and 2 kids.

We are currently at the early stages of selling our 1 bed flat (fingers crossed) which sounds like an asset but has been a noose around our necks since we moved out 2 years ago (tenants treated it badly/rent didn't cover mortgage payments). The offer amount will pay off the mortgage but we don't have the cash for the estate agent or solicitor (so trying to sell as many belongings as poss on Gumtree etc). We are selling as the tenants have left and it was so stressful renting to them we really don't want to do it again.

We have no savings and have credit card debt/loan repayments. At this moment we are living off our credit cards but know this can't continue.

If my partner was still in work we could cope with the one wage and the flat situation. If we didn't have the flat to deal with we could cope better with my DH's job loss. It's just unfortunate that the tenants left at the same time as he left his job.

I have looked on the gov's website and I think we are entitled to child tax credits but when I did the calculator it said no because of my DH's earnings from the last tax year. There wasn't anywhere to put that those earnings have stopped.

If the flat sale goes through (remember we get NO profit from this, just more debt) then I think we can claim housing benefit and council tax benefit.

My question is (finally!) should i applyby sending off for the forms or should I go to the jobcentre? Would it make more sense to talk to a person or will they just ask for the same info on the forms? I really don't know how this works. I feel like I shouldn't be asking for help as we got ourselves into this situation.

Sorry this is so long. I know we sound like a pair of numpties but it's just a case of things going wrong at the same time. We live so frugally as it is and have zero family support. We'd rather not claim anything but unfortunately not all our bills are payable by credit card and we have only the child benefit as a cash income.

Any help or advice would be gratefully received. TIA.

Nightmare isn't it? Good luck!

Did he ever claim jsa?
Even if he was sanctioned you can then claim reduced hardship payments.

Always claim and let them make decision.

Sorry MissMarple I didn't see your message till now. I am pleased to say that we have a new buyer for the flat who has offered more! Fingers crossed that this one goes all the way to the end. If it doesn't we will have to let it and maybe change our long term view - think about renting it for ever. I'd rather not though, really didn't enjoy being a landlady!

The freelance work has really given DH a boost, he is networking amongst his work friends and getting word of other projects/job possibilities. It's amazing what a bit of good luck can do for you.

I can only say thanks again to everyone who has been supportive/given advice to me. You truly have helped us.

I meant sorry to lagoonhaze for not seeing your message. I responded to MissMarple . That's interesting about claiming jsa anyway and seeing what they say. I think if he doesn't get any more work after this one project I think he is allowed to start claiming it anyway as it will have been 24 weeks. Or maybe not with this project? Why isn't the system clear?!!

Glad its going well, I know exactly how worrying it is

Thanks. Sorry to hear you have experience of this too. Hope your fortunes are on the up .

Getting there, My 'D'P of 9 years ran off with OW in January. Leaving me 6 months pregnant, with no family & having to find somewhere to live.

Its bloody scary, Im back to work in December so I will just have to be careful with outgoings ect. Like everyone, Its a struggle.

Thank god for the support on here!

If you leave your job you can be sanctioned for up to 26wks. However there is also a hardship application you can do which generally means you get paid reduced rate JSA if you are entitled to the income based version (something like 75ish for couples) .

Always claim and let them decide. You may have been entitled to help with your mortgage after 13wks and any subsequent unemployment would have linked back to this.

God that's crap Callmedreckly. Hope you and the baby are well. Glad you have found help on here, do you have any RL support too?

lagoonhaze - I wish I'd found you months ago!

Im very lucky that friends from work rallied round, Including helping me through labour & bringing round meals for the first few weeks.

Family are 300 miles away, but on the end of the phone. Just got to keep going, it works out in the end.

They sound like friends worth keeping . You should be so proud of yourself. And thank you for taking the time to think of me .

We are looking at huge financial problems.

I looked at what we could cut down on and I discovered that council tax can be spread over 12 months instead of 10.

Also look at your local food bank.

Thanks SoWorried, I didn't know that about council tax. I don't think we need a food bank yet fingers crossed however, I have been thinking that when we are properly back on our feet I should start donating to one to kind of repay the help we have been given.

We also moved dh high interest car loan onto a 0% credit card and went to minimal monthly payments. That saved about £150 a month. Once we are sorted then we will increase the payments again.

Once you have lodged your tax credits claim, write to them saying your income this year is much less than last year (think has to be at least £6000 difference). Ask to have your award assessed on your current year's income. If you haven't already done this, of course!