Where do I start?

[toppertop]

My anxiety is off the charts at the moment so please be kind.

DH's business is about to go into insolvency after a barrage of bad luck and circumstances. Working 12 hour days, 7 days a week for the last 3 years has not turned things around.
We are all broken, mentally and financially.

My basic wage job won't cover all our bills, even with overtime.
we have cut everything back to wire and taken a mortgage break. DH in the meantime is trying to find work, any work just to bring money in. He is currently looking at temp warehouse work.

I don't know where to start. Should I investigate UC? What about the maintenance loan DS has for uni? He was getting the minimum rate but can he now apply for more as we will no longer be able to subsidise him.

Am having constant panic attacks but trying to
Think things through rationally. Any advice very much appreciated

No, I don’t think you can change the Uni loan mid year. Does he have a job ?

Go on turn2us website you will see if your able to get extra money
it tells you exactly what is available for you

You can look into UC but unlikely you would qualify for anything unless you have other younger dependent kids. It depends what your net monthly earnings are. You cannot claim Uc if you have savings over 16k.

If you don't qualify for UC you husband could claim New style JSA ( contributions based JSA ) if he has paid NI contributions over the past 2-3 years. It can be very easily claimed online and whilst it isn't a lot and is only paid for 6 months, it could help a little.

Thank you. Our savings amount to about £5k and we have also have a 16 yo at home

You may be eligible for some UC then depending on your earnings but could be that your dh claiming JSA works out more. I would do one of the online calculators or speak to CAB for a benefit check .

I don't know where to start. Should I investigate UC?

yes, and then once you've applied for UC go to your local council - separate department and apply or apply online for council tax benefit https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction - but you have to be in receipt of UC to apply and they don't back pay it if you don't apply. Don't delay applying for council tax benefit as you don't know all the answers - put in the claim and state you've applied for UC. This is important as you'll get it back dated to when you apply

You could also apply for DHP if you rent your home https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments this benefit is juts for a short time and is from a pot of money the government give quarterly to local councils - you'll need to do a budget to show why your in a mess.

Please apply today for these benefits, large operate business don't ever think twice about tax avoidance schemes

Op I would do a benefit before you spend time applying for things you may not qualify for. You say you are working so unless you are very part time you may not qualify for council tax reduction.

5k isn't too bad

Is your husband proactive on LinkedIn?

Have you down a budget i.e. where you can cut spending?

Sorry that should say a benefit check.

Has your DS spoken to his uni/student union? There may be grants available to help him.

Thank you for all your advice.
Currently going through "Entitled to" and unsure of whether to put "yes" or "no" for "do You currently received universal credit"?

We don't currently claim but am about to apply

You don't receive it like it is asking

Thank you. Am so sorry for all the questions....
Where I am being asked "am I a company director?" do i put yes or no if we are in currently in insolvency?

Did your husband pay himself something via PAYE? Most people with their own company pay themselves mostly through dividends but a small amount via PAYE to protect their NI record. If he has enough NI contributions/credits he may be eligible for nsJSA but he should check his NI record - which is easily done online - before applying.

You may well be eligible for UC; try Turn2Us and Entitledto. If you're willing to share your salary on here we could advise as well. And you can always contact Citizens Advice on Monday morning, too.

What are your essential monthly outgoings and what's your salary?
£5k savings will potentially last you long enough for your husband to find a job.
Especially if you've taken a mortgage break; presumably that's your biggest outgoing... it leaves Council Tax, gas/electric, water, food and groceries, tv licence, internet and mobile phones... do you have car expenses? Insurance, road tax, finance payment? Any credit card or other debt repayments?
I would suggest going through this very comprehensive list - you say you've cut back but there might be a few things you hadn't thought of:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/money-help/

Yes PAYE and lower rate tax payer.

If he earns less than £11,310 in total in the current tax year (2023-2024) he could apply for the Marriage Tax Allowance which would transfer his tax allowance to you for this year; it means you'd save £252 in tax which is not a huge amount but every little helps!
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/marriage-tax-allowance/

Am currently completing the council tax reduction form.

With regard to the benefits section do I tick
"Waiting to hear" or "getting now" for UC etc?

We have an an appointment next Tuesday at the job centre to go through our UC application