Council benefits whilst in between contracts

[phillip12345]

Hello everyone,
Hoping for some advice or maybe someone has been through this.
I am employed by an umbrella company and my assignment terminated on 31/10/13. I haven't been working since.
On 1/11/13 I applied to the local council for housing allowance and council tax reduction.
The council are asking for my P45 by the end of next week, but the problem is that I still have some productivity payments to come through from my last contract, which should appear at the end of November.
Umbrella company has offered to write a letter confirming I am not on assignment. Does anyone know if this will work?
Thanks in advance.

[northernladuk]

I wouldn't have thought so as you are still employed by a brolly until you give your notice and leave them. I would read and understand your brolly T&C's carefully.

EDIT : Are you sure about your eligibility for the reduction? You are not on benefits or low income are you?

[phillip12345]

I'm on no income. Or very little anyway, just from a small ebay business I have going.
I know that I'm still employed by the umbrella company, but because I'm on a low income and not working as such, I am applying for the housing allowance and council tax reduction.
As far as I am aware, I am eligible for it.

[stek]

I'm on no income. Or very little anyway, just from a small ebay business I have going.
I know that I'm still employed by the umbrella company, but because I'm on a low income and not working as such, I am applying for the housing allowance and council tax reduction.
As far as I am aware, I am eligible for it.

No savings?

[phillip12345]

Nope. Saving and assets well below £16,000

[SueEllen]

Umbrella company has offered to write a letter confirming I am not on assignment. Does anyone know if this will work?

Probably not but if you don't try you won't know.

Your aim is to keep your claim open until you get your P45.

Personally I would dump the ebay business and sign-on as well.

[VectraMan]

They sent me a big complicated form demanding details (and proof) of savings, accounts, company accounts (profit and loss etc.), and part of that was any money you were owed. I didn't bother in the end and just got a job instead.

A P45 shouldn't be anything to do with it (I never gave the Job Centre my P45 and they still gave me JSA). It should only go on your income and savings., but if you can get a letter from your "employer" it'll probably help convince them.

Who knows? You probably know more about this subject than anyone here.