zero hrs/fxd contract - can I claim any benefits

I am not entitled to sick pay from work as I’m on zero hrs fixed term contract and I also have not earned sufficient since being employed with this company (march14) to pay tax or NI…does anybody know if I can claim any benefits? Previously I had a ‘well paid’ job and paid standard rate tax and NI for the 20yrs I was employed there, and before that.

Hello Bettypoppit , I don’t have any personal experience of claiming any benefits but I believe that Macmillan Cancer have some good advise on their web site and that they also have financial advisors who you can contact re help with benefits, entitlements etc. Hope things are better re OH. Best wishes, Pat x

Hi Trisha51, thanks for the heads up I will see what I can find on macmillan. Yes, OH upset me terribly earlier in the week being insensitive and totally not understanding. …i sobbed my heart out, we had words and have cleared the air…he is really trying now - but still has his head firmly buried in the sand! Oh well, he is the man I married if you get my drift;). Hope you are doing ok too x