please someone help me work out this nightmare of Jobseekers and income support

[TheNatty]

hi guys, im having an awful time with the jobcenter atm.
i am 33 weeks pregnant with my third child. my other children are 3 and 2.
i have a husband who is a full time student and therefore unable to work,

he had to stop working because his work decided (halfway though his degree) not to fix his rota around his classes and he was in danger of failing based on attendance.

i applied for jobseekers as i was 27 weeks when i finished work, and was told to do this for two weeks then switch to income support.

they have lost my documents and are saying they dont know when my claim for JS will be worked out let alone paid.

now some woman on the phone has told me income support is a single persons benefit and i cant claim it, nearly three weeks after putting in the claim.
they have also told me there is no record of my claim on the system.

i dont know where i stand on this, the only income we have is student loan (not due till september the next payment so that does not help) housing benefit and tax credits.
the housing benefit does not cover the rent there is a 100 shortfall, and the tax credits just about does food and electric and gas.

so am i entitled or not, what the hell is going on and why doesnt anyone know in the DWP!!!!

please could someone with brains help me find my way through this mess?

sorry i was 27 weeks HUSBAND finished working, i havent worked since pregnant with child no.2

At 33 weeks pg you would probably not qualify for JSA as you wouldnt be job seeking. IS would not be payable as you have the income from student loans.

Sounds like you are claiming all you should be, student loan, HB (although I thought this was restricted if a student), CB and CTC. IS is only usually payable to loan parents with caring responsibilities.

If you have not worked since child number two, its unlikely you have paid enough NI contributions to qualify for MA. I cant think of anything else that would apply as you havent lost any income if already a SAHM anyway.

Your husband may have to look at working again around his studies, most students work around classes to increase their income - particularly if they have a family to support. Supermarkets and call centres often have shifts in the evening to suit students.

Failing that, if you cant survive on his student loans, then maybe he needs to reconsider if studying at this time is beneficial to the growing family. OU courses allow study times to be set by the student so can easily be fitted in around working.

I cant think of anything else either, but would try contacting local benefits office again and ask if there is anything else that you can get help with. Go down with a list of income and expenses to show them.

They should also be able to tell you if your family will be better off with husband working part-time - even 16 hours a week should entitle you to working families tax credit.

Also, have you looked at reducing your expenses? Switching electric and gas suppliers for example? Can you cut down on clothing costs and food bills?

Moneysavingexpert.com is a fab site. Its really empowering when you can save a few extra bob a month on things, with minimal effort.

Obviously, this is a stressful time for you too, and you need rest, but is there any talents that you have that you could put to good use in next few weeks? Can you paint (canvases)? Sew?