Am I entitled to benefits?

[Mercier1]

I’m currently on mat leave from my job which is 3 days per week I earn 25k. I have 2 kids. I am at the point where my mat leave payment is zero. My husband has been off sick and is about to go to statutory sick pay. I’m pretty distressed about money. Im going back into work tomorrow to plan my return but on the meantime are we entitled to any help?? Even back at work my income won’t cover us. Have tried using benefit calculators but find them confusing because of our circumstance.

Thanks for the input spent ages with CAB but she knew less than me. She advised I call the helpline for child tax credits. Currently have never had a benefit so all new to me

Child tax credits is a benefit. If you're currently receiving them then, if you meet the hours requirement you can also claim working tax credit. Working tax credit is based on annual income though, so that may mean you're not entitled. As your income has reduced considerably you should ask them to do a calculation based on the currrent tax year, not the last one.

It you don't qualify for WTC you should look into UC. A few people are better off on UC, and that may be the case for you as it's based on current monthly income. If UC is applicable, you should take advice on when to put in your claim, as if your husband still has a larger payment expected from work (if he is paid in arrears), if that payment is made after you apply it will be counted against your entitlement for the following month.

She advised I call the helpline for child tax credits. Currently have never had a benefit so all new to me

You cannot get child tax credits if you have never had a benefit, it's a legacy benefit, so are working tax credits. They will both be gone entirely soon .

What's your h's plan for going back to work long-term?

If you do not already receive child tax credits then you can't make a new claim for them now. I can't believe a CAB adviser said that, clearly doesn't know the basics.

As others have said don't delay in claiming Uc as it cannot be backdated. If you post basic details- ages, kids ages, rent and whether council or private ( if private would need the local housing allowance for your area ) and net monthly earnings that you are expecting to receive then I can do a rough calculation.

As you have a big mortgage your H really needs to be working with you on how the pair of you will support your family because sadly the benefits just aren't there to top you up anymore with that salary, at best some assistance with childcare costs.

www.gov.uk
In the search type apply for universal credit

Apply

You will receive an invite to attend in person, you will need to take identification & they will advise you about benefits

Do not delay

They can't help you, if you don't apply

@timshelthechoice he freaked out when I told him I was going to CAB today, he’s just not in a fit state to see past his nose atm. He has no plan for returning to work, and is completely fucked mentally. He is suicidal and I had to call the police last week as he went missing and I thought he was going to kill himself. It’s absolutely hellish. The situation is fairly complex and I don’t want to say too much but yeah its pretty bad.

@Babyroobs we have a mortgage on our own house. My kids are 8 months and 4 years. I earn 25k when back at work fully. He will be on stat sick pay after this pay check end of the month which is £90 a week? Agree the lady seemed to be wasting both our time. Thanks for your time

Has he seen a psychiatrist? Sadly if he's that bad off it may be you'll have to sell the house because the benefits won't pay for any part of a mortgage, maybe to a place with a smaller mortgage? It's unfortunate but you're in a bad way financially. Is there any chance you can earn more money? UC is going to take some time to pay out, 5 week minimum.

He needs to engage with healthcare professionals if he's that ill.

Yeah, SSP is about £90/week. Any chance of taking a mortgage holiday or going interest-only for a while?

Need to look into a mortgage holiday potentially. Mentioned selling the house when he was in a bad way but the house move was an component of what messed him up and I think the stress of that really upsets him. I’m in a pretty loose loose situation tbf...

@Mercier1 I don't have any practical advice (I'm not in the UK and don't know about benefits there) but I just wanted to wish you well. Unfortunately I have a lot of experience with mental health and I know how hard it can be. I hope your husband can get the help he needs.

@Episcomama that’s really kind thank you x

Suggest phone bank that you have the mortgage. They may offer a mortgage holiday or interest payment only

You still need to make the Universal credit application

If he is sick, he should not resign. He should be referred to occupational health if it's a big company.
Some big companies have a help line that employees can phone
He may be allowed a phased return to work etc

It’s a small tiny business who don’t have policy’s HR etc and he’s not really got a manager. Hard to explain. He’s loading with the board of directors who are saying SFA bar we won’t be paying you as of mid sept.

What are your net monthly earnings assuming you get paid monthly ?

@Babyroobs I think £1400 before my childcare vouchers?

Ok so you may get around £200 a month Uc based on your partner having 4 x weekly pays of SSP in a monthly UC assessment period. If he is paid it weekly then there will be some months where Uc will be less. UC is calculated on what Pay & SSP is reported in your monthly assessment period then you get paid UC seven days later. I think maybe it would be calculated after childcare vouchers come off, so might be a bit more maybe ?

Also if your dh was long term ill then he may be assessed for the limited capability for work element of UC which may be extra money added onto your claim some months down the line if awarded the LCWRA element. I don't think this can be awarded until SSP ends, I'm not absolutely sure.

@Babyroobs thanks so much