Benfits for a divorced mother of 2

[johnk]

My daughter is about to be sacked. Does anyone know what benefits she is entitled to?
She's a divorced mother of two with a mortgage and has never been out of work before so doesn't know what to expect.

[ummmm]

Why is she being sacked?

She can apply for job seekers allowance, council tax benefit, child tax credits and she can apply for help towards her mortgage costs. I think they only help with the interest payments though.

Tell her to contact her mortgage provider asap...they will tell her what route to go down and they are more likely to be understanding if she's upfront with them and keeps them informed.

[emmie]

definitely sacked not let go? with a redundancy payment, package, because they may affect any money she could get in benefits early on.

[cg51]

also, if sacked, could be disbarred from jobseekers allowance for up to 6 months

[emmie]

advice from citizens advice bureau would be a start, provided she is here in UK.

[johnk]

Thanks everyone. She's being sacked not made redundant, it's a case of any excuse to get rid of people cheaply and she got dropped in it.
Cg do you still have to make a claim for jobseekers even if you won't qualify?
Um what are tax credits, if she's got no income she won't be paying tax.
Em CAB sounds like a good idea

[emmie]

john is there any valid why she is being dismissed, has she been in the job a long while, because they have to have any number of reasons for a person to be got rid of, verbal warning, letter warning and usually Human resources, personnel would be involved. If the company is not that big, and she hasn't been there long that might be different. CAB very good place to start, and look at the reasons for dismissal, as most companies cannot get rid of the person without just cause.

[johnk]

It's all being done officially although the penalties are inconsistent. The hearing is next week but they are obviously determined to sack her even if there's a tribunal

[ojread2]

https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/how-to-claim

This will tell her all she needs to know
Personally I would also call ACAS and quickly

[emmie]

totally agree with oj, get to ACAS pretty smart, i reckon though i don't know enough about the matter that she is being somewhat railroaded.

[johnk]

She was involved in an argument with a member of the public when in the works van. This person complained and the company have taken his side and called it gross misconduct evn though it hasn't been in the past. She is the union rep so that's why they want her out! She'll be putting in an unfair dismissal claim and is gathering evidence of the inconsistent and one sided approach to the complaint. However in the short term she needs something to live on.

[tonyav]

This as the smell of victimization to it imo.

[emmie]

get some professional help, definitely CAB for a start, doesn't sound like a solid case against her, unless this wasn't the first time?

[johnk]

Tony, defineately, the other union rep is in a similair position
Em, She's had a warning some time ago but never anything like this
She has got legal advice but the company seem willing to take the chance or unaware of the legalities!!

[tonyav]

What does the unions solicitor say about this, johnk ?.

[johnk]

Tony, they're not really saying anything as far as I know, when she doesn't tell me it's usually bad news

[themas]

If the Union's any good they should be able to help her with benefit info. However, CAB may well be be better.

Tax Credits are nothing to do with whether she'll be paying tax. She can start a claim by phone - 0345 300 3900, but don't do it till she's actually unemployed.

Job seekers allowance may be a problem for a while - depends what attitude they take to a gross misconduct dismissal.

[johnk]

Themas, thanks I've put that number in my book, cheers

[THECORBYLOON]

The law regarding Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and employment ending through dismissal or leaving voluntarily (LV) changed on 22.10.12. Folk who are dismissed for misconduct or who LV will be sanctioned (have their benefit stopped) for thirteen, twenty-six or 156 weeks. In this particular case, if misconduct is proven, it will be thirteen weeks or the period the employment would have lasted if that is shorter. Any period between the employment ending and the date of claim for JSA will also be deducted from the sanction.

[ojread2]

corby, i know it used to be similar years ago, but if you dont get JS would the amount you are said to be entitled by law to live on, the amount is made up in income support. Is this still the case?

[THECORBYLOON]

A lone parent can claim Income Support as long as they have a wee one aged under five and their income does not exceed their entitlement. Folk can receive IS if they are disabled, in receipt of Incapacity Benefit or are a carer. For all IS claimants, any income will be topped up by IS to the level of their entitlement.