Benefits For Unemployed

[johnk]

my daughter is about be sacked (for being an idiot so I don't need any sermons just practical advice!) . She is a divorced mother of 2 boys 7 and 11 and has her house on a mortgage. Can anyone tell what benefits she will be entitled to?

[DrFilth]

i would get her to go to her local cab office for advice, you may be able to get online help

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/get_advice.htm?gclid=CjgKEAjwkpacBRCNlprWw-u-nBwSJACwHiw-YLeVsP5UlVmWn6hHpkYQKhKAZ-qfUntSedsNuXKJJPD_BwE

[factor-fiction]

This may help too
http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

[Neveracrossword]

Haven't you asked this before, some time ago?

[factor-fiction]

That was in 2012, Neveracrossword, so I assume this is a new case
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Business-and-Finance/Question1194507.html

[Neveracrossword]

Yes, I know the other post is quite old - I just thought the previous experience (if it's the same daughter) would have been helpful anyway!

[johnk]

Last time she managed to keep her job, forgot I'd asked before. It's not over yet but looks pretty sure now.
Thanks for your help everyone and if you think of anything else let me know

[sherrardk]

I think there is about a 13 week period that you can't claim any benefits that you might be entitled to if you are sacked.

[factor-fiction]

I've heard that mentioned on here before, sherrardk- but on the last two occasions I signed on for JSA I just said my job had come to an end and they didn't make any enquiries as to whether I had been sacked, made redundant, temporary contract completed, etc

[johnk]

Factor, that's useful to know!

[sherrardk]

Maybe it's some sort of urban myth.

[THECORBYLOON]

Trust me, claimants need to say why their employment ended. Even if you say the contract ended, a check with the former employer can be made. If you've been sacked, the employer will always be contacted and THEY have to show there was misconduct. If you leave voluntarily, YOU need to show there was a good reason. If misconduct is proven or there is not a good reason for leaving, the JSA will be sanctioned (not paid) for thirteen weeks but any days between the employment's ending and the claim starting will be deducted from that sanction period.

[johnk]

What happens if JSA isn't paid, does she starve and become homeless?

[black_cat51]

could she look for another job?

[THECORBYLOON]

She will get JSA until a decision is made to sanction if appropriate. A Hardship application can be made if she is sanctioned and if awarded, the JSA will be paid at a reduced rate but she will not get that for the first two weeks of the sanction unless she is in a vulnerable group.

[black_cat51]

what would constitute a vulnerable group TCL?

[THECORBYLOON]

Claimants are in a vulnerable group if they 
Are pregnant.
Are looking after children.
Are single and looking after a 16 or 17 year-old. 
Have a disability. 
Have a long-term physical medical condition. 
Are caring for someone who is long-term sick or disabled. 
Are a young person who has left local authority care in the last three years. 
Are aged 16 or 17, subject to certain rules.

[johnk]

Black, yes she will look for another job but they are few and far between.
Corby, thanks, that's a great help. Do you know anything about housing benefit, she pays a mortgage so I don't suppose there's any help with that?

[factor-fiction]

https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest/overview

[THECORBYLOON]

If she is a home owner she will not qualify for Housing Benefit but she may be entitled to Council Tax Reduction (this replaced Council Tax Benefit in April)Your daughter may qualify for help with her mortgage interest after thirteen weeks but only if she is entitled to income based JSA and not Contributions based JSA.