I'm so worried right now I can hardly think straight, and I'm just hoping someone can help me understand what benefits my family might be entitled to.
I recently went back to work part time (3 days a week) following the birth of my DD and a years maternity leave. When I got pregnant my boyfriend had a full time job, as did I, and we basically had no money worries - I had literally never claimed any benefits at all (as the one time I tried to get the dole I wasn't entitled to any money as I was deemed to be dependant on my then boyfriend). Not long into my pregnancy my DP was told that the business he worked for was closing down where we live and relocating to the other side of the country and so he was given 6 months notice he was going to be made redundant. He managed to get a temporary job the week after his permanent job ended but yesterday was told that he was being let go next week (not the end of March as we were expecting).
Currently we get child benefit but that's it. I have put in a claim for tax credits a couple of weeks ago but have yet to hear back from them. My DP will claim JSA as soon as his job ends, assuming he can't get work before then.
I earn £1,100 a month before tax, have less than £1000 savings and work 22.12 hours a week. We have a mortgage (which will basically be most of my takehome salary - the rest of which currently goes on childcare while I'm at work).
How much is JSA? Can we get council tax or housing benefit? Is then anything I would be entitled to that I haven't claimed? Also are tax credits backdated at all?
I'm so so worried that I feel sick to my stomach - my Dad has multiple cancers and is very unwell right now and I need to not be so stressed about money because I need to be strong for him and my DD. Can anyone give me any advice?