Jobseekers allowance for co-habiting couple

karlstewart

Hi,

My girlfriend has just moved in with me in the house I rent. She has just graduated from university. I am in full time employment.

She has tried to obtain Jobseekers Allowance, but was told that she isn't eligible as we are classed as a co-habiting couple, and therefore I am supporting for her. Apperently it woulndn't be an issue if she was living at on her own or with her parents.

This doesn't seem fair (but then who said it should be?).

She is not living for free, but rather I am loaning her money (effectively by paying all of the rent/bills/food etc myself). So do I have to kick her out or break up with her for her to be eligible. Tempting.....?!

Any advice gratefully received.

Karl

bestpud

karlstewart wrote: »

Hi,

My girlfriend has just moved in with me in the house I rent. She has just graduated from university. I am in full time employment.

She has tried to obtain Jobseekers Allowance, but was told that she isn't eligible as we are classed as a co-habiting couple, and therefore I am supporting for her. Apperently it woulndn't be an issue if she was living at on her own or with her parents.

This doesn't seem fair (but then who said it should be?).

She is not living for free, but rather I am loaning her money (effectively by paying all of the rent/bills/food etc myself). So do I have to kick her out or break up with her for her to be eligible. Tempting.....?!

Any advice gratefully received.

Karl

That would be correct. When you make a commitment to be a couple, you take the rough with the smooth and in this case, that means you 'keeping' her until she is in work.

Look at it another way though for a minute: What if, sometime in the future, she is working and you fall ill/lose your job and need some financial support...?

Is there any reason she isn't working? Has she literally only just graduated, as most people finish in the summer?

Conor_3

karlstewart wrote: »

Hi,

My girlfriend has just moved in with me in the house I rent. She has just graduated from university. I am in full time employment.

She has tried to obtain Jobseekers Allowance, but was told that she isn't eligible as we are classed as a co-habiting couple, and therefore I am supporting for her. Apperently it woulndn't be an issue if she was living at on her own or with her parents.

This doesn't seem fair (but then who said it should be?).

Any advice gratefully received.

Karl

WHAT THE HELL? How the hell can you say it's not fair? Why the hell shouldn't you be supporting her if you're supposed to be a couple? Would you expect that a bloke is married should expect the State to provide an income for their family because he works and the wife is unemployed? What's the matter, can't afford to go out on the lash every weekend now?

You make me sick. Hopefully she'll read this and realise what a money grubbing !!!!!! you are and that you put money above her.

healy

Conor wrote: »

WHAT THE HELL? How the hell can you say it's not fair? Why the hell shouldn't you be supporting her if you're supposed to be a couple? Would you expect that a bloke is married should expect the State to provide an income for their family because he works and the wife is unemployed? What's the matter, can't afford to go out on the lash every weekend now?

You make me sick. Hopefully she'll read this and realise what a money grubbing !!!!!! you are and that you put money above her.

It was a polite question from the OP and they knew the answer anyway but I dont think it is necessary for you to be so rude in your reply.

terryw

healy wrote: »

It was a polite question from the OP and they knew the answer anyway but I dont think it is necessary for you to be so rude in your reply.

I have got to agree with you. But I am always wary about such first posts from newbies although I am loathe to use the "T" word. Conor may well have fallen in a "T" trap.!

terryw

seven-day-weekend

Even if they are not genuine there is no need for such rudeness.

The OP has had his question (which he asked politely) answered and I hope now that he can see the reason why a co-habiting couple should have their means-tested benefits entitlement assessed on household earnings, not just one half of the couple's.

margaretclare

There are 2 types of JSA.

The first is paid on the basis of your contribution record, is not means-tested and runs for the first 6 months of a period of unemployment.

The second type is not contribution-based and is means-tested. For any means-tested benefit the test is applied to the couple's income. If you're living together as man and wife then you're called a 'couple' and it is the income of both of you that is taken into account. It would be the same if she was working and you weren't.

The same doesn't apply if she's living at her mother's because there she's not part of a couple.

HTH