Contribution based JSA...

[BellaBoo0512]

I have been looking for work for the past 7 months and not been having much luck. Hubby works full time but is on a crappy wage, we get £25 a week working tax credits and around £60 a week child tax credits plus £20.50 child benefit.

Tonight out of curiosity I went on a benefits calculator to check the amounts we receive are correct and it says that I am entitled to claim £72 a week contribution based job seekers allowance for 6 months. This would be a massive help whilst I'm trying to find a job so I've just filled the forms in online and I have to wait for a text regarding an appointment that I will have to attend at my local job centre.

If my claim is accepted (it depends if I've paid enough national insurance contributions which it should of) does anyone know how long it will take for me to receive any money? Are children allowed to attend job center appointments? The job centre really isn't a place i want to take my 15 month old but my husband works full time as do other family members so there is no one to look after him for me.

Also, if I claim job seekers do I need to inform HMRC? It says that child tax credits isn't affected by contribution based JSA but doesn't mention working tax credits?

Thank you in advance to anyone that can help me!

 

[aimee-lou]

Not sure about the affect it would have on other benefits but the job centre would be able to tell you that at their appointment. if in doubt ring and tell them anyway as I find the best thing is to keep them squarely up to date then you don't get any nasty bills.

Yes, you can take children. I had to attend last year while PG with ds3 with a 1yo and a 3yo in tow.....that wasn't fun for anyone but they are prepared for it as they are aware that while you're not working childcare is probably not available. The first appointment is quite long and in depth though so go prepared and with plenty of drinks and snacks for LO as that offices are really dull! lol

 

[BellaBoo0512]

Not sure about the affect it would have on other benefits but the job centre would be able to tell you that at their appointment. if in doubt ring and tell them anyway as I find the best thing is to keep them squarely up to date then you don't get any nasty bills.

Yes, you can take children. I had to attend last year while PG with ds3 with a 1yo and a 3yo in tow.....that wasn't fun for anyone but they are prepared for it as they are aware that while you're not working childcare is probably not available. The first appointment is quite long and in depth though so go prepared and with plenty of drinks and snacks for LO as that offices are really dull! lol

Thanks for your reply! I had my appointment yesterday. Pain in the backside it was! My appointment was on the 3rd floor and there was no lift so I had to leave the pram with the security guard and then carry T upstairs along with the changing bag and then sit with him on my knee for the duration of the appointment which lasted 40 minutes. I asked if someone could see me downstairs so I could leave T in his pram (he's only 15 months so trying to keep him on my knee for longer than 2 mins is hard work!) and this snotty woman said to me "you don't get special treatment just because you've got a kid love" cheeky cow!!

The sooner I get a job and no longer have to go to that place the better!