who and what to claim

chnelomi

My boyfriend and i have just got a house together after waiting years, unforunatly he lost his job four months ago. i have two kids and get income support he gets jsa. we have no money and no idea how to go about things. one person in the job center said i should claim from social fund another said it should be joint application but we wont get it cos hes not been unemployed long enough. and should he claim or me or me for him. keep getting mixed messages. we dont even have a matress we could lay on the floor we both stay with our parents.

krisskross

As you are a couple I doubt you can claim as individuals.

Are you paying rent for your house together?

chnelomi

we will be claiming as a couple. just dont know what way is best been told i can still claim and he just signs on as they say but dosent get any money. heard that if he claims job seekers for me all chance of help go's too. claiming housing benefit but not ad a reply yet.

shelley_uk

Hi....As long as you are claiming IS (otherwise JSA income based) you should put a claim in for a Community Care Grant (Social Fund) for the furniture. Ask your local CAB for help in completing the form

krisskross

Perhaps your parents will help out a bit with furniture. I guess you all have beds that you could take with you. If there is freecycle operating in your area there is probably quite a bit you can get for nothing.

You need to get on with organising a joint claim for everything as you are a couple.

Oldernotwiser

Don't forget that you can buy second hand furniture very cheaply, although Freecycle is obviosly your best bet.

If you've been living together at your parents, you should have been claiming jointly during this time. You need to sort this out quickly or you'll have arrears to pay back.