HELP! Partner moving in..

chinxstar

Hi, I think this is a little complicated but here goes:

Currently, my partner lives with his mum and I live on my own with my two children, we have been together for a year.
My two boys attend nursery full time.
I am 5 months pregnant and working fulltime, I started one month ago.
My partner was made redundant nearly a year ago, and has been in and out of work, was on jsa (cont-based) and will now make a rapid reclaim for jsa.

Basically, I would like him to move in before the baby is born, but I don't know how or what we'll be entitled to....before of after our son is born, will there be a big difference? I would like to work up until 38-39 weeks, so I can take 6 months maternity leave. I don't think I will have worked long enough for MA, so will get ESA (or IS or both?) Will he be entitled to JSA or some sort of help? Will we be able to afford the rent? or the council tax? (I currently get help with the majority of the rent) And will the boys still be able to go nursery? Whata bout when I return to work? (I'm not sure if he is expected to look after my boys and our baby too?! I have forewarned him on that situation and he is willing although he looked quite scared when I told him lol)

Please don't think he is a bum he has been trying desperately for work, and I wouldn't worry if he was moving in when working full-time, we would probably struggle but I know it would be feasable, it's the fact of can he move in while he is unemployed? I really don't want to deal with the sleepless nights on my own...I am hoping he will find something before September but I need to be prepared if he doesn't.

Hope that wasn't too confusing....:o

thankyou thankyou thankyou for any helpful advice :A

NASA_2

I'm not sure about MA but I know you will not get ESA unless you have an illness, injury or disability. Pregnancy itself doesnt count.

chinxstar

If you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, and you have paid national insurance contributions, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for six weeks before the expected week of childbirth and up to 14 days after the birth.

This was from the citizens advice bureau website.......

dmg24

chinxstar wrote: »

If you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, and you have paid national insurance contributions, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for six weeks before the expected week of childbirth and up to 14 days after the birth.

This was from the citizens advice bureau website.......

That is correct. Welcome to MSE.

chinxstar

Hmm but any help with anything else I've written? So confused right now....

alwaysonthego_2

For benefit purposes you would be classed as a couple anyway even if you did not live together.

His entitlement to IBJSA is dependent on household income and savings. If you earn over the amount the government says that a couple can live on then you will not recieve any money,though he should sign on to get is NI conts.

However you will be entitled to WTC and CTC depending on your income and help towards you rent. It is hard to give you advice without the amount of hours you work and your income.

You will get the health in pregnancy grant and maybe the sure start maternity grant.

chinxstar

So then do I declare us as a couple now? Is this since I was pregnant or since the day we met? He has runout of NIconts (182 days), I work 36hrs, £18500p.a.

AsknAnswer

For benefit purposes you would be classed as a couple anyway even if you did not live together.

Curious. Why would they be classified as a couple for benefits purposes if they are not living together and currently have seperate finances?

His entitlement to IBJSA is dependent on household income and savings. If you earn over the amount the government says that a couple can live on then you will not recieve any money,though he should sign on to get is NI conts.

Despite them residing in seperate households and not currently being financially connected?

If so, can you post a link to the relevant legislation?

I ask as I am a lone parent, I live with my two young children. I work full time. I have been in a relationship with a man for 2 years, who is not the father of my children and whom resides 50 miles away and does not contribute to the finances of my household, he has his own household to maintain. Because of the distance and work/life commitments he only stays over occasionally, about once every two months, sometimes less. I would be absolutely horrified if he lost his job and I was expected to support him financially as we live and maintain seperate households, and some distance apart. Surely this cannot be correct? We do plan on living together in the future but due to our very complicated family lives it is not practical at the moment, but when the time comes, I'd be happy to support him, and him me if one of us god forbid became unemployed , however I'd be questioning supporting him financially as things stand with us having seperate households to maintain.

alwaysonthego_2

AsknAnswer wrote: »

Curious. Why would they be classified as a couple for benefits purposes if they are not living together and currently have seperate finances? Despite them residing in seperate households and not currently being financially connected? It is not just financial link that the DM looks at there are other implications such as children together, time spent together, holidays etc etc

If so, can you post a link to the relevant legislation?

I ask as I am a lone parent, I live with my two young children. I work full time. I have been in a relationship with a man for 2 years, who is not the father of my children and whom resides 50 miles away and does not contribute to the finances of my household, he has his own household to maintain. Because of the distance and work/life commitments he only stays over occasionally, about once every two months, sometimes less. I would be absolutely horrified if he lost his job and I was expected to support him financially as we live and maintain seperate households, and some distance apart. Surely this cannot be correct? We do plan on living together in the future but due to our very complicated family lives it is not practical at the moment, but when the time comes, I'd be happy to support him, and him me if one of us god forbid became unemployed , however I'd be questioning supporting him financially as things stand with us having seperate households to maintain.

It is cheaper to maintain one household rather than 2.

To the op on your income your DP would not be entitled to ibjsa on your income and you would not get wtc.

chinxstar

Thanks@alwaysonthego, practical advice
Well I have found this on a benefit application form:
So you would declare a change of circumstance if he moves in or starts providing you with an income I would have thought? Perhaps I am wrong? I am thinking its just easier my DP move in now and we struggle till he finds work...all so confusing...
But I think I would have to move somewhere cheaper my rent is £1000pm
So much to think about...!
Definition of Partner on this form
On this form, by partner we mean someone of the opposite sex or same sex who is either -
• a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them or
• a civil partner or a person you live with as if you are civil partners

alwaysonthego_2

chinxstar wrote: »

Well as for me I have found this on a benefit application form:
So I only declare a change of circumstance if he moves in or starts providing me with income
Definition of Partner on this form
On this form, by partner we mean someone of the opposite sex or same sex who is either -
• a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them or
• a civil partner or a person you live with as if you are civil partners

It is more complicated then that! You need to look at a copy of the CPAG benefits and welfare manual for further info.