Sunday Express Skeleton Sunday April...
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Benefits - non entilement
Story in brief - I took a career break from the NI civil service in march 07 and joined my partner in Scotland. I have never claimed benefits, have worked and paid stamp for 20 years.
Became pregnant and midwife told me I was entiltled to JSA so I applied for it and got it (�59.15 per week) after fighting with them. got telephone call today saying that i was not entitled to Maternity Allowance and have written to employers who will not give me (revoke career break) my job back before end of career break duration. So am told I am entitled to no benefits unless I am (nudge nudge wink wink as implied by the lady that I spoke to) a single , soon to become parent, then I could claim income support.
I am devastated. After working for 20 years and paying my dues I am entitled to nothing apparently, surely t his can not be right? I understand that i took the career break under my own volition but if I am entitled to JSA, am I not entitled to maternity pay/
thanks in advance. all views apprecieated
Became pregnant and midwife told me I was entiltled to JSA so I applied for it and got it (�59.15 per week) after fighting with them. got telephone call today saying that i was not entitled to Maternity Allowance and have written to employers who will not give me (revoke career break) my job back before end of career break duration. So am told I am entitled to no benefits unless I am (nudge nudge wink wink as implied by the lady that I spoke to) a single , soon to become parent, then I could claim income support.
I am devastated. After working for 20 years and paying my dues I am entitled to nothing apparently, surely t his can not be right? I understand that i took the career break under my own volition but if I am entitled to JSA, am I not entitled to maternity pay/
thanks in advance. all views apprecieated
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You wouldnt be entitled to maternity pay even if you was on income support either. I am currently in the situation of being a single parent about to have a baby too. I work part time and get income support. I am not entitled to maternity pay because I dont earn enough working every week. I get nothing extra. Luckily as soon as I leave work, boyfriend is moving in with me and I can say bye bye to the benefits but still going to be tough with not qualifying for maternity pay.
Has mrwarpig looked into claiming work tax credits to bump the money up?
Has mrwarpig looked into claiming work tax credits to bump the money up?
Just read the add on lol
Yes life sucks like that doesnt it? Ive lost count of the amount of times Ive been kicked in the teeth doing things the right way and standing on my own two feet while others around me take everything they get and cheat the system to get even more. I have never even claimed free school dinners for my daughter even though Im entitled to!
Yes life sucks like that doesnt it? Ive lost count of the amount of times Ive been kicked in the teeth doing things the right way and standing on my own two feet while others around me take everything they get and cheat the system to get even more. I have never even claimed free school dinners for my daughter even though Im entitled to!
No psychick he isnt claiming, is on what I would consider a resonably good wage about 31K, but htat is for both of us. Just feel a little cr@p as have paid my dues as i see it and yet I am being punished for it. Lady on phone actually apologised that she couldnt help me,:-o(
Must clarify, as you and I both know, this is not paramount, all will be ok, just feels like a kick in the nuts!
Must clarify, as you and I both know, this is not paramount, all will be ok, just feels like a kick in the nuts!
To get JSA (contributory) you must be available for work and actively seeking work. I would have thought that the fact you still had an employer invalidated that.
But - what reason did you get for not getting Maternity Allowance?
The fact that you were employed by the civil service means that you have conditions of service and you should be able to check whether you are being treated fairly by them.
Can you not apply for a transfer to Scotland?
I worked for the civil service in Scotland for 24 years and 33 days before medical retirement. It has been nearly 4 years since I worked so my knowledge of the benefits system and civil service rules may be rusty.
However I think that you can cut short your career break but can't extend it.
But - what reason did you get for not getting Maternity Allowance?
The fact that you were employed by the civil service means that you have conditions of service and you should be able to check whether you are being treated fairly by them.
Can you not apply for a transfer to Scotland?
I worked for the civil service in Scotland for 24 years and 33 days before medical retirement. It has been nearly 4 years since I worked so my knowledge of the benefits system and civil service rules may be rusty.
However I think that you can cut short your career break but can't extend it.
To get JSA (contributory) you must be available for work and actively seeking work. I would have thought that the fact you still had an employer invalidated that.
But - what reason did you get for not getting Maternity Allowance?
The fact that you were employed by the civil service means that you have conditions of service and you should be able to check whether you are being treated fairly by them.
Can you not apply for a transfer to Scotland?
I worked for the civil service in Scotland for 24 years and 33 days before medical retirement. It has been nearly 4 years since I worked so my knowledge of the benefits system and civil service rules may be rusty.
However I think that you can cut short your career break but can't extend it.
But - what reason did you get for not getting Maternity Allowance?
The fact that you were employed by the civil service means that you have conditions of service and you should be able to check whether you are being treated fairly by them.
Can you not apply for a transfer to Scotland?
I worked for the civil service in Scotland for 24 years and 33 days before medical retirement. It has been nearly 4 years since I worked so my knowledge of the benefits system and civil service rules may be rusty.
However I think that you can cut short your career break but can't extend it.
To get JSA (contributory) you must be available for work and actively seeking work. I would have thought that the fact you still had an employer invalidated that.
But - what reason did you get for not getting Maternity Allowance?
The fact that you were employed by the civil service means that you have conditions of service and you should be able to check whether you are being treated fairly by them.
Can you not apply for a transfer to Scotland?
I worked for the civil service in Scotland for 24 years and 33 days before medical retirement. It has been nearly 4 years since I worked so my knowledge of the benefits system and civil service rules may be rusty.
However I think that you can cut short your career break but can't extend it.
But - what reason did you get for not getting Maternity Allowance?
The fact that you were employed by the civil service means that you have conditions of service and you should be able to check whether you are being treated fairly by them.
Can you not apply for a transfer to Scotland?
I worked for the civil service in Scotland for 24 years and 33 days before medical retirement. It has been nearly 4 years since I worked so my knowledge of the benefits system and civil service rules may be rusty.
However I think that you can cut short your career break but can't extend it.
Hi Wolf, as I understand it, I cannot work in Norhtern Ireland but I an entitled toclaim benefits on the main land, which I have done, only recently.
Have been in contact with NI civil service but feel at an empasse as am not getting beyond the same person. I realise my requet to return towork is an audacious one, and one that they could rightly refuse but I have been nothing but honest, perhaps that doesnt pay.
Just not sure what else to do, am am really p*ssed off.
Perhaps I should do what the lady suggested and declare myself a 'soon to become' single parent, but that does not sit well with me.
Have been in contact with NI civil service but feel at an empasse as am not getting beyond the same person. I realise my requet to return towork is an audacious one, and one that they could rightly refuse but I have been nothing but honest, perhaps that doesnt pay.
Just not sure what else to do, am am really p*ssed off.
Perhaps I should do what the lady suggested and declare myself a 'soon to become' single parent, but that does not sit well with me.
Sorry wolf, was so tired and frustrated last night, feel less so today (for now), so in answer to your questions.
I get JSA because I am not in Northern Ireland, if I returned home I would not be entitled to claim. Apparently JSA ends when you have 11 weeks to go before you due date (last week) so that will stop. I have to go and sign on next Monday so will find out more then.
As for the reasons for not getting MA through jobcentre plus, apparently because I have not worked 26 weeks in the last year I am excluded. When the lady phoned me yesterday I was too shocked and upset to question her properly but she said that there would be a letter explaining it all to me.
I have gone through all the conditions of service relating to career breaks and nowhere does it mention anything about becoming pregnant while on a break so it appears to come down to someones decision on whether to take me back or not. Part of the problem seems to be that I have not completed a full year yet and they would have to treat it as unpaid special leave if they were to take me back, perhaps a lot of work is involved in that.
As for a transfer, sadly it doesnt work the way it used to. Checked it out before I came over and apparently you must find a job that is advertised externally, apply for it, get it and then they will transfer you over.
As for knowledge of benefits system, mine is zilch, never been in this position before and havent a clue. And what I have been able to find out online is so confusing and complex............that I am struggling to make sense of it, and I am used to that kind of jargon, not surprising that others find it difficult to.
Am going to ring the CAB today and see what they say, I can also appeal the decision and a colleague at work said he would make a few inquiries on my behalf, so hopefully I may get something sorted.
Just feel a little hard done by but
I get JSA because I am not in Northern Ireland, if I returned home I would not be entitled to claim. Apparently JSA ends when you have 11 weeks to go before you due date (last week) so that will stop. I have to go and sign on next Monday so will find out more then.
As for the reasons for not getting MA through jobcentre plus, apparently because I have not worked 26 weeks in the last year I am excluded. When the lady phoned me yesterday I was too shocked and upset to question her properly but she said that there would be a letter explaining it all to me.
I have gone through all the conditions of service relating to career breaks and nowhere does it mention anything about becoming pregnant while on a break so it appears to come down to someones decision on whether to take me back or not. Part of the problem seems to be that I have not completed a full year yet and they would have to treat it as unpaid special leave if they were to take me back, perhaps a lot of work is involved in that.
As for a transfer, sadly it doesnt work the way it used to. Checked it out before I came over and apparently you must find a job that is advertised externally, apply for it, get it and then they will transfer you over.
As for knowledge of benefits system, mine is zilch, never been in this position before and havent a clue. And what I have been able to find out online is so confusing and complex............that I am struggling to make sense of it, and I am used to that kind of jargon, not surprising that others find it difficult to.
Am going to ring the CAB today and see what they say, I can also appeal the decision and a colleague at work said he would make a few inquiries on my behalf, so hopefully I may get something sorted.
Just feel a little hard done by but
I am totally with you on this!
Myself and my boyfriend have both worked all our lives and paid our NI etc and never claimed anything until now.
My bf lost his job in Aug and can get JSA (Con) but he also tried to get Housing benefit and council tax reduction to help us through this sticky patch. He could not get it because they means tested me and said I earn too much!
I only earn 25k which in London does not go too far!
Apparently they only look at what is coming in and are "not interested" in what is going out, so they fact I have my own commitments financially and he has a son he pays maintenance for, means nothing.
So now I am in debt because I have had to cover everything. And when he asked for help at the job centre to find work what did they say, we don't really offer that service anymore, sorry!
Why are we left to fend for ourselves when we have paid and will continue to pay into the system? And what happens when I retire, I won't see anything back in a state pension will I? I also know of people who lie and work the system to get what they want - makes you feel like a mug for doing things the right way.
Sorry had to get that off my chest! Hope everything works out for you, take care.
Myself and my boyfriend have both worked all our lives and paid our NI etc and never claimed anything until now.
My bf lost his job in Aug and can get JSA (Con) but he also tried to get Housing benefit and council tax reduction to help us through this sticky patch. He could not get it because they means tested me and said I earn too much!
I only earn 25k which in London does not go too far!
Apparently they only look at what is coming in and are "not interested" in what is going out, so they fact I have my own commitments financially and he has a son he pays maintenance for, means nothing.
So now I am in debt because I have had to cover everything. And when he asked for help at the job centre to find work what did they say, we don't really offer that service anymore, sorry!
Why are we left to fend for ourselves when we have paid and will continue to pay into the system? And what happens when I retire, I won't see anything back in a state pension will I? I also know of people who lie and work the system to get what they want - makes you feel like a mug for doing things the right way.
Sorry had to get that off my chest! Hope everything works out for you, take care.
Hazel it is so frustrating isn't it. according to what the people at the jobcentre said, I should lie and say I am going to be a single parent, but it is really not im my nature and would make me feel terrible. No doubt I would get over this but why should people have to lie, become something they are not, do something against their nature, in order to get some help.
Sadly, this whole affair has made me bitter and actually makes me feel much easier about lying if I were to decide to do so. It would appear that I, if I were to follow the advice given at the jobcentre, would become one of the people I dislike!
Sadly, this whole affair has made me bitter and actually makes me feel much easier about lying if I were to decide to do so. It would appear that I, if I were to follow the advice given at the jobcentre, would become one of the people I dislike!
Mr Warpig will be allowed to claim Working tax credit or family tax credit (cant recall which it is)
A family with a joint income of no more than �50k gets about �110 a month during babys first year, thats a start. Then youll get you child allowance on top of that.
Ask if you may be entitled to the one off maternity payment for those on low or no incomes, i think its about �300.
I completely agree with your frustration at having paid in for all those years only to find that its denied you when you need the benefit, its appalling. Especially when some teenage mums go straight from school onto benefits, social housing, etc without ever having paid any NI.
A family with a joint income of no more than �50k gets about �110 a month during babys first year, thats a start. Then youll get you child allowance on top of that.
Ask if you may be entitled to the one off maternity payment for those on low or no incomes, i think its about �300.
I completely agree with your frustration at having paid in for all those years only to find that its denied you when you need the benefit, its appalling. Especially when some teenage mums go straight from school onto benefits, social housing, etc without ever having paid any NI.
When was that introduced, red? I don't recall getting �110 per month but I haven't had a baby in 6 years..lol.
It's all a minefield. I am currently battling the pension credits people on behalf of my dad. he sold a house 4 years ago and lived off the profits (100k). The pension credit authority are saying that he isn't entitled to any payments as he has 100k. He doesn't as he has lived on it for 4 years! as there is no proof of where the money has gone (he lived in B&Bs and didn't keep receipts) he is entitled to nothing.
Even income support are dragging their heels as he is living with me. They reckon as he is with me he doesn't need any money.
That's all I need. I might as well have had another baby!
It's all a minefield. I am currently battling the pension credits people on behalf of my dad. he sold a house 4 years ago and lived off the profits (100k). The pension credit authority are saying that he isn't entitled to any payments as he has 100k. He doesn't as he has lived on it for 4 years! as there is no proof of where the money has gone (he lived in B&Bs and didn't keep receipts) he is entitled to nothing.
Even income support are dragging their heels as he is living with me. They reckon as he is with me he doesn't need any money.
That's all I need. I might as well have had another baby!
LOL @ pippa, yes it is a minefield, if you do have another kiddie just remeember to say that you are single!!!!!!!
Redcrx, thank you, I had no idea we (mrwarpig) might be able to make a claim. This is the thing, we just dont have a clue, dont know what is out there or what we may be entitled to. I do know a very young couple who dont work , have one kid and another on the way, by all accounts they get help with everything, maybe I should talk to them!
Redcrx, thank you, I had no idea we (mrwarpig) might be able to make a claim. This is the thing, we just dont have a clue, dont know what is out there or what we may be entitled to. I do know a very young couple who dont work , have one kid and another on the way, by all accounts they get help with everything, maybe I should talk to them!
this is where sometimes the youngsters know more than us oldies do lol
Pippa, please dont burst my bubble, I hope i wasnt overpaid and am facing a huge bill. This was 2005/6 though.
there is a website that explains what youre entitled to plus you can get your application in for tax credits now, you cant apply for child benefit until bubs is born though.
Pippa, please dont burst my bubble, I hope i wasnt overpaid and am facing a huge bill. This was 2005/6 though.
there is a website that explains what youre entitled to plus you can get your application in for tax credits now, you cant apply for child benefit until bubs is born though.
Redcrx, forgot to mention, I do have the forms for the sure start maternity grant. they gave them to me at the job centre and at the time I thought 'why are you giving this to me, we are ok financially', just shows how stupid I am. Have filled it in and will get midwife to stamp it, darn sure I am going to take everything that is going (without lying).
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