Unemployed benefits

[themalster]

Hi guys,

I was let go as a temp worker back in October and have not found work since. I have since applied for and currently receive Job Seekers Allowance.

However, As I have no income whatsoever, I am struggling to pay my mortgage and utility bills as well as Council Tax (of which I have applied for single persons discount)

Can anyone tell me how I find out if I am entitled to any other form of benefits to help me out financially? I have tried hard to refrain from claiming anything else as I don't want to be tarred as a 'sponger' but I am sinking fast.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[bednobs]

could they help you at the jobcentre where you sign on?

[bednobs]

https://www.turn2us.e...DetectCookieSupport=1
or try here

[themalster]

I tried asking but they were more interested in getting me out once i'd signed on.

[themas]

You should be entitled to Council Tax benefit, which will probably pay all your council tax. Contact your local authority.

After 13 weeks of unemployment you may well be entitled to help with the mortgage interest. The Job Centre really should have gone over this with you - or it should have been done in the initial phone contact which I assume you had. If you can't get anywhere with them, contact your local CAB for help.

[Buenchico]

As Themas states, if you're receiving only JSA you almost certainly shouldn't be paying Council Tax at all. (I'm on JSA and my Council Tax Benefit covers my full payment for Council Tax).

You should have been asked if you wanted to apply for CTB when you first registered for JSA. Your local council office can supply you with the paperwork to do so now. (If you live in an area which has both 'district' and 'county' council, it's the district council which you need to contact. If you live a long way from the relevant office, phone them up and they'll post the form to you).

If your National Insurance contributions were fully up to date when you left your last job you'll be receiving Contribution-Based JSA. That will last for 6 months. You'll then be transferred to Income-Based JSA. (If you didn't have enough National Insurance contributions the time on Contribution-Based JSA will be shorter or non-existent).

Once you're on Income-Based JSA you'll be entitled to SMI (Support for Mortgage Interest):
http://www.direct.gov..._low_income/DG_180321
You'll also be entitled to certain other benefits, such as free NHS prescriptions, eye tests and (within certain limits) free spectacles.

Chris

[themalster]

Thanks Chris.

I am currently on contribution based JSA. But with no income whatsoever, the mortgage is my main concern.

Someone did mention to me that i could get support with the interest on the mortgage and i will be discussing that when i next go to the Job Centre.

Thank you so much for the info

[themas]

The rules on this are complex (like much of the benefit system!). The 13 week waiting period for help with housing costs started from the date your claim for contribution based JSA was made. That claim should also have been treated as a claim for income based JSA & details of your mortgage payments should have been taken when the claim was dealt with. At the end of the 13 week waiting period, your housing costs get included in calculating your entitlement to income based JSA & the result is that you become entitled to both income based (which is necessary in order for you to get the housing cost help) & contribution based JSA.

Go back to the Job Centre people on this. Do not take no for an answer. If you can't get anywhere with them, do go to your CAB for help.

[factor-fiction]

Yes, you are on contribution based JSA rather than Income based JSA.
Do you have any other household income? Or any significant savings ?
If you ask at the Job Centre they will help.