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Original poster

Need Help. Benefits and starting work.

29 replies

londongirl1978 · 02/02/2018 12:34

Hi

New to the forum.

I'm a mum of a 3 month old.

My partner lost his job 3 weeks back. He was earning 34k a year self employed.
He has now been offered a job for 21k a year but he is not sure if he can take it.
We have put through all our claims for housing benefit and tax credit. And he is waiting on claiming jobseekers.
Our rent is 1k a month and I am on statuary maternity till July but won't be returning to work.
We are not sure how much help we will be entitled to as it's a massive drop in wages and I only get £140 a week maternity pay.
I see tax credits go on last year's earning but that is relevant now as we are struggling now. That money has gone.
I have tried the entitledto calculator but I'm not sure how much to believe what it says.
Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

Do you think we would be able to claim anything seeing as his wage is low and I'm on maternity pay aswell.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Canyouguess · 02/02/2018 12:36

How did he lose his job if he was self employed?

Ring benefits line or pop in to local council benefits office. They are generally helpful.

gamerchick · 02/02/2018 12:36

Why can’t he take the job? You may not have the option of not returning to work. The dole will be asking why he didn’t take the job and he will have to give a very good reason.

Original poster
londongirl1978 · 02/02/2018 12:38

He was working for the same guy for 3 years. The boss liked his employees to be self employed.

The reason is we would seem to be no better off taking the job

OP posts:
gamerchick · 02/02/2018 12:40

But you can’t tell the dole that though, also it doesn’t have to be permanent and it’s easier to find a job when you have a job. Surely he would rather be working than sitting at home looking for a job?

Original poster
londongirl1978 · 02/02/2018 12:42

We might even be worse off

OP posts:
Original poster
londongirl1978 · 02/02/2018 12:45

Agree 100%. He wants to work. It's we are not sure the salary will pay our bills.

OP posts:
Bluedoglead · 02/02/2018 12:46

You might have to go back to work.

delilahbucket · 02/02/2018 12:49

You cannot possibly be worse off with him getting £21k a year salary vs benefits surely?! Unless you are in London, that is a fantastic salary and much higher than what most earn. It would look like you won't be entitled to any benefits if he takes the job, other than child benefit. I believe the cut off point is a household income of £26k for one child with no childcare costs.

Canyouguess · 02/02/2018 12:50

Bluedoglead

Certainly not from a benefits perspective. OP has a 3 month old.

Canyouguess · 02/02/2018 12:51

Unless you are in London, that is a fantastic salary and much higher than what most earn.

£21k.

I don’t think many would regard that as a “fantastic salary” supporting a family.

Bluedoglead · 02/02/2018 12:51

So what? She can go back to work in a month or so. And earn and then she won’t have to claim as much in benefits.

It’s ridiculous not to -she has a job to go back to and her partner could mind the baby

Original poster
londongirl1978 · 02/02/2018 12:52

We are I London. Travel alone is 230 a month.
21k is not alot in London.

OP posts:
Canyouguess · 02/02/2018 12:52

What’s your salary OP?

Bluedoglead · 02/02/2018 12:53

So then you can’t afford for you not to return to work and you have to go back, surely?

Original poster
londongirl1978 · 02/02/2018 12:54

140 a week maternity pay

OP posts:
Bluedoglead · 02/02/2018 12:55

What’s your actual salary in your job? Maternity pay amount isn’t all you’d earn if you were out at work full time.

Original poster
londongirl1978 · 02/02/2018 12:58

24k. But I can't go back as I was a nanny. They won't have me back

OP posts:
Bluedoglead · 02/02/2018 12:58

Why can’t you get another job?

Roomba · 02/02/2018 12:59

Has he only worked for the one guy for the last few years? Not helpful short term, but I would look into whether he should have been technically classed as an employee and should therefore be entitled to redundancy payment. HMRC had a big crack down on employers classing their workers as self employed to avoid tax and NI. May be worth taking advice on?

Gazelda · 02/02/2018 13:04

There are other jobs you can apply for, surely?
I don't think your DP has any real choice but to accept the job and continue job hunting for a better paid role.

Original poster
londongirl1978 · 02/02/2018 13:16

I'm not allowed to work on maternity pay. Government says so

OP posts:
Gazelda · 02/02/2018 13:19

But you could start working again once mat pay finishes. Or earlier if things are really tight and you can find a job that pays more than 140 per week (and cancel your mat pay claim, obvs).

Bluedoglead · 02/02/2018 13:19

But if you return in the first six months or so you have the legal right to return to exactly the same job.

Raver84 · 02/02/2018 13:20

Your husband has to accept the job and continue to look for something else. You need to find a job towards the end of your mat leave. If childcare is the obstacle look for evening or weekend jobs. If you are a nanny offer a reduced rate for exchange of taking your baby with you. You have loads of options.

Bluedoglead · 02/02/2018 13:21

And of course you can return to work and earn a salary. I did it because I couldn’t afford a long maternity leave.