Help Needed!! First time claiming for many a year

[Padfoot]

I have just been dismissed for Gross Misconduct, which i am intending to fight via ET with the backing of my Trade union.

I will be going to "sign on" tomorrow for the first in 12 years, and really don't know what to expect anymore.

I have a mortgage, a wife and 2 kids to support. Coming from a £40k a year job, its going be nigh on impossible to find another job paying anywhere near the same.

What will i be entitled to initially? Do i get any help with the mortgage? What advice is available to me to try and get another job, obviously the dismissal is going to seriously stain my applications.

I don't want to be out of work any longer than possible, but i can't afford to take any old job....i need to have a realistic income, and if i could actually enjoy what i was doing it would be a bonus!

[AwakeNow]

Originally Posted by Padfoot

I have just been dismissed for Gross Misconduct, which i am intending to fight via ET with the backing of my Trade union.

I will be going to "sign on" tomorrow for the first in 12 years, and really don't know what to expect anymore.

I have a mortgage, a wife and 2 kids to support. Coming from a £40k a year job, its going be nigh on impossible to find another job paying anywhere near the same.

What will i be entitled to initially? Do i get any help with the mortgage? What advice is available to me to try and get another job, obviously the dismissal is going to seriously stain my applications.

I don't want to be out of work any longer than possible, but i can't afford to take any old job....i need to have a realistic income, and if i could actually enjoy what i was doing it would be a bonus!

Hello,

Firstly, unless you have already done so, I suggest you do some research over unfair dismissal claims to help keep you up to date on the issue: Here is the site which might help:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/RedundancyAndLeavingYourJ ob/DG_10026692

This is the site to giving you more up to date information about benefits you can claim:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOthe rSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_10021385


Income Support Information:

Income Support is designed for people aged between 16 and 59, on a low income and who are either not working at all or are working on average less than 16 hours a week.
However:
savings over £3,000 usually affect how much Income Support you can get
if you have savings over £8,000 this will usually mean you cannot get Income Support
if you are sick and not getting Statutory Sick Pay you should claim Incapacity Benefit as well as Income Support.
you may be able to get extra money to help towards certain housing costs (see Housing and Council Tax Benefit).
you can usually get extra money for your family.
you may be able to get Income Support if you or your partner are not working because of parental leave.
you may be able to get Income Support if you are on paternity leave.
pregnant women and people with children under five get free milk and vitamins.
if you have to attend your Jobcentre regularly, you cannot get Income Support but you may be able to claim Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based).
There is also help with paying the interest on your mortgage called Income Support Mortgage Interest as well as Council Tax. These would need to be applied when you starting your claim for benefit

There would also be help with mortgage payments upon your return to work:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOthe rSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018935


Lots of information can also be found here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOthe rSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/index.htm

As well as a Job Grant when you succeed in finding a job worth up to £250 for couples with children:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOthe rSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10018789


Hope some of the above proves useful and has been of some help.

Regards,

AwakeNow