Benefit Entitlement

[BagPussAA]

Hi Guys,

I work full time but am on a fairly low wage of £14500. Mr Bagpuss was made redundant last year and has been on contribution based JSA since then. This is about to end and my wages will not be enough to pay the bills and put food on the table. We are about to declare bankruptsy so debt is no longer going to be a problem but we still do not have enough money to live off. He has been told that becuase I work full time he will not be able to get income based JSA, housing benefit or Council Tax benefit. Have been to CAB and they were a waste of space. Does anyone know if we would be able to claim any other benefits as I am now getting worried that we will not be able to pay the rent and be made homeless!

Thanks in Advance

[redcrx]

why not try this site http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

[theshedman]

He might not be able to claim housing benefit but you may as it's you who is working. If you are on a low enough wage you may be able to claim something. Just apply, if you are earning too much they will tell you.

[B00]

I feel for you Bagpuss.

Mr Boo was made redundant earlier in the year, and was forced to claim JSA, like your husband he was categorically told, that was only for a 6 month period and that we'd get nothing after that.

Quite how the longterm unemployed manage to work the system is beyond me. It does seem if you were working, and are looking for another job, they screw you over, yet hand money over fist if you sit on your ar3e all day with no intentions of ever getting employed. Makes my blood boil it does.

Sorry, i can't help, just wanted to sympathise- hope he gets a job soon, good luck :-)

[sara3]

you should look into Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits (if you have children), free school meals, free prescriptions etc.

also, if his JSA stops you may then be able to claim Housing and Council Tax benefits.

[B00]

She wont get none of those, well deffo not free school meals and precsriptions sara, as she works. I only know as i looked into it when Mr Boo lost his job, but as i work we were screwed.

[boxtops]

Bankruptcy is quite a big step, bagpuss - it will affect your ability to get credit for (I think) the next six years. Is this the only way out? I am sure you have considered all other options before you go for that one.

[sara3]

okay, thanks B00.. my apologies BagPuss.. but it's worth applying for anything, in my opinion.

[homedeeth]

just *** to the dole office!!! they're not going to check up on you.

[dotty.]

WTC even on the over 50 element has to be on an income of less than 14500, I thought I would get WTC on 16,500 but I don't, with having to pay all the bills and travel to work I am worse off than someone who is on a lower income I think.

[Dris]

Aw good luck -cant add anything to whats been posted but you desreve everything you're entitled to...

B00-has you man got a job yet? What a worry it must be nowadays.

[B00]

Hey Dris, sorry for not replying before now, early night and all that.

Yeah, it took him 4 months, but he got one, thank Gawd!

[BagPussAA]

Thanks Guys for all your answers. I have spoken to the Tax Credit people and I am entitled to the grand sum of......... £12 per week! I just hope that Nr Bagpuss gets a job soon otherwise we will be sleeping in the car!

[factor-fiction]

Do you have children? If not then your household income is probably considered to be too great for benefits.
Contribution based JSA only applies for 6 months so if he was made redundant last year I'm surprised he's still getting it.
I know it's annoying- if you weren't working you'd probably be no worse off because you'd get benefits, so I can see why some people choose not to work.
If it's any consolation £14500 is probably more than you'll be bringing in when you are retired.
Bankruptcy is a big step- have you taken advice?

[BagPussAA]

Factor30.. Unfortunately Bankruptsy is our only option. We have taken advise from Debt Free Direct as well as a legal aid solicitor and we do not have enough disposable income for any other option. Thanks for your help