Job seeker allowance/UC

[newmomma1]

Due to circumstances, I may have to put a claim in for job seekers allowance. I've been looking at Universal Credits and because we have a mortgage I won't be able to claim housing benefit.

I have a 2.5 year old who we would take out of nursery if I lost my job. Does anyone look after their LO while claiming JSA and if so, what childcare does you arrange if you have an interview or JSA training/appointments?

If you are going to claim UC there's not a lot of point claiming contributions based ( new style) Jsa as it would be deducted pound for pound from any UC claim. Whether you get any UC would depend on your partners earnings also. It would only be beneficial to claim new style JSA if your partners earnings are such that you are not entitled to any UC.

Which you claim would depend on what benefits you currently get and family circumstances. The commitments at the job centre such as courses should take into account your child care needs.

The flexible support fund might help with child care for a job interview (I’m not sure, or whether there is an equivalent for new style JSA).

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/going-to-your-interview/