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Original poster

Should I be claiming JSA or something similar?

6 replies

airborne · 07/02/2011 13:06

I have 2 DC's, one is at school and the other is at state nursery for 15 hrs per week. My DP was made redundant, so is now on JSA and due to a recent illness he is receiving some Disability Living Allowance. I am desperately trying to find work to tide us over but am not having any luck. I am 4 months pregnant and I doubt this is helping in my quest for temporary work. I have not signed on, I didn't think I could as previously I was the one at home looking after the children. Can I/should I be entitled to Job Seekers Allowance?

OP posts:
compo · 07/02/2011 13:11

You'd be entitled to maternity allowance I think once the baby is born

Chil1234 · 07/02/2011 14:03

Why not have a look at this link? Turn2us. If you input your circs you should be able to see if there's any other help available.

Original poster
airborne · 07/02/2011 14:45

Don't think I am entitled to Maternity Allowance as I am not working and the last period of work I had was too long ago to qualify, (if I've read Direct Gov correctly)

Oh Thanks Chil, I'll do that.

OP posts:
Orangeflower7 · 08/02/2011 11:06

Sounds like a tough time for you all. Just a thought- if he is claiming DLA can you therefore claim Carer's Allowance? And when the baby comes you may be eligable for Incapacity Benefit for 12 weeks or so, if you can't claim Maternity Allowance. I'm not sure about that though as it is changing to ESA? and may depend on your NI contributions...how about the Citizen's Advice Bureau? They could go through it all with you and may know of anything helpful in your area. For example I saw something in our local paper recently saying there was a fund for families in difficulties which I'd never heard of before.

Hope this helps and things get better for you soon. We had an awful time with a 6 week old baby, a toddler with the 15 hrs funding, and dp was self-employed and really did his back in, was bed-ridden it was terrible. It felt awful at the time, I was only just coping with the children and felt this awful guilt couldn't do more eg financially, but it passes but at the time can feel disasterous! Good luck

iskra · 08/02/2011 19:02

If you are actively looking for work claim JSA.

You wont be able to claim any MA unless you've worked 26 of the preceeding 66 weeks or something like that. I always forget the exact figures.

CAB is a good idea, might be able to facilitate a crisis loan if you are struggling to pay your electric or something.

8rubberduckies · 08/02/2011 21:22

Based on your family's low income you will be able to claim JSA at the moment, or try Carers Allowance. Also, are you claiming council tax benefit and housing benefit?

Go and get some advice from an advice agency or CAB quick, before they all close down because of the cuts Sad

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