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A little rant and a bit of advice regarding JSA

Just_a_girl
Posts: 294 Forumite


Hi everyone, after lurking for a while i decided to post my first post as I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding JSA.
My situation is that I'm in my late twenties, I worked full time after college for a number of years, when I suddenly decided I wanted to better myself, I spent my savings on my education taking home study courses, going to university and then paying to do a masters degree - all in the hope to have slightly better prospects for myself.
Well I graduated end of september 2008, after 2 months of job hunting I decided to apply for JSA. My situation is a bit out of the norm, I am not close to my parents and I moved out when I 18. I always supported myself while I worked and even when I was at uni. But when I graduated in 2008 I had no money left and no where to live, so my boyfriends mum let me stay with them. My boyfriend lives in london all week and is only back at weekends and so we have never lived together supporting each other as such.
JSA assesed my claim and as i had been a student I was not entitled to NI based JSA, they then said i wasnt entitled to income based due to my boyfriend working and she should support me. I was a little taken back as we never had they kind of relationship, and I thought this a little unfair and questioned it explaining the situation, but had to accept the fact. A year on i still havent found work and support myself through occasional temp work. My proper rant starts here.
My boyfriends step sister moved in at the begining of the year, she worked, then decided to go traveling, left her job got herself in debt comes home cant find a job, is supported finacially by my boyfriends family and makes a claim to JSA and is succesful, so we both live there shes supported, I'm not yet, she can claim and I'm not allowed, this seems extremely unfair to me as I struggle to support myself on what little I earn, I dont go out, I dont by myself new things I admit i get a little help like reduced rent and my boyfriend buys me occasional treats but....I dont know it just seems wrong.
Anyone in a simular situation, or can anyone offer any advice?
My situation is that I'm in my late twenties, I worked full time after college for a number of years, when I suddenly decided I wanted to better myself, I spent my savings on my education taking home study courses, going to university and then paying to do a masters degree - all in the hope to have slightly better prospects for myself.
Well I graduated end of september 2008, after 2 months of job hunting I decided to apply for JSA. My situation is a bit out of the norm, I am not close to my parents and I moved out when I 18. I always supported myself while I worked and even when I was at uni. But when I graduated in 2008 I had no money left and no where to live, so my boyfriends mum let me stay with them. My boyfriend lives in london all week and is only back at weekends and so we have never lived together supporting each other as such.
JSA assesed my claim and as i had been a student I was not entitled to NI based JSA, they then said i wasnt entitled to income based due to my boyfriend working and she should support me. I was a little taken back as we never had they kind of relationship, and I thought this a little unfair and questioned it explaining the situation, but had to accept the fact. A year on i still havent found work and support myself through occasional temp work. My proper rant starts here.
My boyfriends step sister moved in at the begining of the year, she worked, then decided to go traveling, left her job got herself in debt comes home cant find a job, is supported finacially by my boyfriends family and makes a claim to JSA and is succesful, so we both live there shes supported, I'm not yet, she can claim and I'm not allowed, this seems extremely unfair to me as I struggle to support myself on what little I earn, I dont go out, I dont by myself new things I admit i get a little help like reduced rent and my boyfriend buys me occasional treats but....I dont know it just seems wrong.
Anyone in a simular situation, or can anyone offer any advice?
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Comments
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If you moved into a place of your own you could claim not only JSA but LHA/CTB to cover housing costs. I can't see any benefit to you in living with your boyfriend's family, particularly as you don't seem to be in a position to pay your way.0
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How long have you and your boyfriend been going out for? Do you both see yourselves together for the long haul? You do live with his family so it appears that you are kind of in the fold already, if you were living together he would be expected to support you.
Jobwise, are you looking for specific job roles only or are you willing to accept any job until your ideal comes along?
If you were in receipt of JSA, after the first 13 weeks you would be expected to lower your expectations, job type, area, salary etc.
Sorry I can't help specifically on benefits though.0 -
This would worry me.... I dont have the money to move out, I cant make a claim while I'm here because they count my boyfriends wage, but I cant move out because it can take up to six weeks to process and I havent got the money to support myself for 6 weeks...Almost a catch 22 situation, wouldnt this be like making myself homeless too, I'm sure theres no help if you make yourself homeless voluntary. I dont actually know a lot about the benefits system to be honest.2018 WINS: Gin & Chocolate Hamper*Kids Shoes*Sudocrem Goodeybag*Malvern Spring Festival Tickets*Kids's Book* Bosch Soundboxx*Board Game*Friction Free Shave Subscription*Splash Out Ball*Blackberry Farm Tickets* Tickets to Chessington *Cat Treats*Seed Mix*Contour Next One *Majestic Wine Gift Card*£500 Lakeland Bundle*Shorn Wine Pouch0
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Personally, if it was me, I would try my best to get any full-time job so that I can at least save up a deposit so that I could move out of your boyfriends family home. You should beable to claim some benefits to help you pay the rent while you are on a low income and in the meantime keep on looking for a better job that you are more qualified for.0
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How long have you and your boyfriend been going out for? Do you both see yourselves together for the long haul? You do live with his family so it appears that you are kind of in the fold already, if you were living together he would be expected to support you.
Jobwise, are you looking for specific job roles only or are you willing to accept any job until your ideal comes along?
If you were in receipt of JSA, after the first 13 weeks you would be expected to lower your expectations, job type, area, salary etc.
Sorry I can't help specifically on benefits though.
We have been together since I have been at uni, he doesnt feel like he should support me finacially and therefore doesnt want to (I can kind of understand this, he works hard and isnt on a good wage, hes young, so why should he struggle to live aswell). He says we havent had that kind of relationship of actually living together properly as a couple and if we had it would be a consideration but he says I am only there as I have no other option, which is true, we wouldnt be living together if I could support myself. Will we stay together? I dont know because I am searching nationwide for a first level job, if i move up north, will our relationship work? who knows, so its a really tough situation, I know i cant limit my search to my home town.
I have also applied for a lot of other roles, I have had interviews but People see me as too qualified or that im not going to stick around due to my specific qualifications. As I said I do temp, but this is irregular work.2018 WINS: Gin & Chocolate Hamper*Kids Shoes*Sudocrem Goodeybag*Malvern Spring Festival Tickets*Kids's Book* Bosch Soundboxx*Board Game*Friction Free Shave Subscription*Splash Out Ball*Blackberry Farm Tickets* Tickets to Chessington *Cat Treats*Seed Mix*Contour Next One *Majestic Wine Gift Card*£500 Lakeland Bundle*Shorn Wine Pouch0 -
Just_a_girl wrote: »This would worry me.... I dont have the money to move out, I cant make a claim while I'm here because they count my boyfriends wage, but I cant move out because it can take up to six weeks to process and I havent got the money to support myself for 6 weeks...Almost a catch 22 situation, wouldnt this be like making myself homeless too, I'm sure theres no help if you make yourself homeless voluntary. I dont actually know a lot about the benefits system to be honest.
Claiming LHA isn't affected by making yourself homeless; you're thinking about the criteria for getting a council flat, which are totally different.
If you couldn't support yourself whilst doing this, how are you supporting yourself now?0 -
Oldernotwiser wrote: »Claiming LHA isn't affected by making yourself homeless; you're thinking about the criteria for getting a council flat, which are totally different.
If you couldn't support yourself whilst doing this, how are you supporting yourself now?
Ah I dint realise that, like i said im not that hot on the benifit system.
While im not working I pay reduced rent of £100 a month, a bit more when I am. As rent where I live start from about £450 a month plus bills, plus deposit, i just dont have that kind of money. When Im not working, I pay from anything that i have left over, but usually from my overdraft.
My whole point really though was the unfairness in the sytem. I have nothing against my boyfriends step sister, shes lovely but my point is she pays no rent, left her job, spent all her money voluntarily to have fun, yet someone in her situation is still able to qualify when someone like myself isnt, thats all2018 WINS: Gin & Chocolate Hamper*Kids Shoes*Sudocrem Goodeybag*Malvern Spring Festival Tickets*Kids's Book* Bosch Soundboxx*Board Game*Friction Free Shave Subscription*Splash Out Ball*Blackberry Farm Tickets* Tickets to Chessington *Cat Treats*Seed Mix*Contour Next One *Majestic Wine Gift Card*£500 Lakeland Bundle*Shorn Wine Pouch0 -
Just_a_girl wrote: »We have been together since I have been at uni, he doesnt feel like he should support me finacially and therefore doesnt want to (I can kind of understand this, he works hard and isnt on a good wage, hes young, so why should he struggle to live aswell). He says we havent had that kind of relationship of actually living together properly as a couple and if we had it would be a consideration but he says I am only there as I have no other option, which is true, we wouldnt be living together if I could support myself. Will we stay together? I dont know because I am searching nationwide for a first level job, if i move up north, will our relationship work? who knows, so its a really tough situation, I know i cant limit my search to my home town.
I have also applied for a lot of other roles, I have had interviews but People see me as too qualified or that im not going to stick around due to my specific qualifications. As I said I do temp, but this is irregular work.
I think many graduates are having similar problems.
If your qualifications aren't relevant to the job you are applying for why don't you omit them from the CV you send out for that specific job?
Many people do adjust their CVs to suit the job these days and as long as you do not make things up, make out you have qualifications you do not have etc. It could help.0 -
I think many graduates are having similar problems.
If your qualifications aren't relevant to the job you are applying for why don't you omit them from the CV you send out for that specific job?
Many people do adjust their CVs to suit the job these days and as long as you do not make things up, make out you have qualifications you do not have etc. It could help.
Yeah I totally understand, I do have a lot of friends who graduated, but because they live at home they claim JSA.
I have tried to write applications ommiting that information but i have a 5 year gap with nothing to fill and no explanation. Needless to say I heard nothing back!
(I do appologise about my spelling and grammer to, in case some of you are wondering how i made it through uni lol, im dyslexic and im rushing as im typing...being a bit lazy)2018 WINS: Gin & Chocolate Hamper*Kids Shoes*Sudocrem Goodeybag*Malvern Spring Festival Tickets*Kids's Book* Bosch Soundboxx*Board Game*Friction Free Shave Subscription*Splash Out Ball*Blackberry Farm Tickets* Tickets to Chessington *Cat Treats*Seed Mix*Contour Next One *Majestic Wine Gift Card*£500 Lakeland Bundle*Shorn Wine Pouch0 -
Just_a_girl wrote: »
My whole point really though was the unfairness in the sytem. I have nothing against my boyfriends step sister, shes lovely but my point is she pays no rent, left her job, spent all her money voluntarily to have fun, yet someone in her situation is still able to qualify when someone like myself isnt, thats all
But if you were being supported by your parents then you would also be able to claim JSA ; you would even be able to claim if you were in lodgings with people on a commercial basis. If you're seen as living with a partner then the assumption is that you are living as husband and wife, whether your boyfriend is happy with that or not.0
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