DH just lost his contract, what to do?

[ihavenewsockson]

DH is gardener/ grounds maintenance.

He's just lost his main contract.

Registered self-employed, can he claim JSA or housing benefit or anything?

It seems really unlikely that anyone is gonna want to take on a gardener at this time of yr.
Any advice appreciated.
TIA.

Yes to JSA if not working & available 40hrs per week.

Yes to HB and council tax benefit if on low income. Housing benefit for rent only, not mortgages.

So sorry to hear your news

Tax Credits a possibility depending on your circumstances.

we already get tax credits as earnings are not above the threshold- but won't they cancel these as he is not working?

we do rent so will contact the council re: housing benefit.

it really sucks.

at least we rent and the coucil can help us out. i really feel for the ones recently who lost jobs/redundancies with a mortage etc.

No you will just lose the £735 30 hour element for the 108 days left until April, but if you phone them & tell them your income for this year is for example £3000 less than last, then your Tax credits will go up until April.

ok, thanks lou.

we're going to the jobcentre in the morning, then to the council to sort out housing benefit.

should i ring tax credits before or after these two are processed?

sorry for all the questions.
Thanks for your help.

Housing benefit takes into account your income from Tax credits, so call them now.

Thanks Lou. Really appreciate it.

Does JSA really apply to self-employed contractors? Surely it's the very nature of being a contractor that there will be times with no contract?
(Am in same situation come end of Jan).

Yes, you can get income-based JSA - the only difference is that it won't contribute towards your state pension credits in the same way as contributions based JSA does.

I am recently becoming more informed about JSA and self employment. It is def not as straight forward to claim as if you had lost a regular job, as "periods without work are considered normal" and they want alot of info about your past income if you do try and claim.

Take bank statements, payslips, accounts for the past year if possible, when you put in a claim, and don't expect any money quickly.

Thanks for clarification Jas!