Should benefits be helping?

PRINCESSX87

I have re-posted due to placing in the wrong place!

Should benefits be helping?

My OH & I was made redundant a year ago today after 6 weeks of being out of work my OH managed to get his old job back with the same employer.

During this 6 weeks we was attending the JC but we was taken off this due to the above even though I was still unemployed & OH was on minimal hours & wages.


(He was working part-time under 16 hrs - But they included his travel time
in which he does not get paid for & never has!)


One year on a the situation is still the same. We have been told from the benefits we are NOT entitled to anything. Where as other government agencies have said we are.

At present we know we cannot claim housing or council tax benefit because we are not living in a property with our own tenancy.
We are both under 25 years.


My partner is on a low income because he cannot reach the next stages of a pay rise. (Needs money to do so) He’s employer has stated that should he learn to drive he would be entitled to an increase of £3.50 per hour more.


(This would mean around an extra £100.00 monthly after tax)


I have tried many different kinds of employment - sadly none of this has worked out because I need “ free time” - As I’m a unpaid carer for 2 family members who live locally.

(We are told I have to be unpaid because care is not needed for more then 12 hours a day)

We cannot get any forms of loans - No one will touch us even with a great credit history. < We believe our age is a factor


Entitled too…. We have tried that & it tells us we are able to receive WTC


I have contacted the JC many times explaining the situation to ask them some advice each time I am being told that they cannot help me - I have to find my own means of employment?


Is this right..? We cannot believe that we cant have any help at all.

(Not even with money, But for little things like advice / information / support to assist me in my search to find paid employment.)

Any information you can give to me would be great as its truly needed right now!


PS: sorry for the local post! LOL
　
　
　
　
　

karenx

You will not get WTC because under 25 and not working 30hours plus per week.
Unsure what you are wanting help with?

Indie_Kid

You can't get WTC if you're under 25 unless one of you is disabled or is responsible for a child.

PRINCESSX87

Basically we are unsure if we are entitled to anything.

Or, To at least find out if I’m entitled to any form of assistances with working or training they maybe able to help me with. Currently I have a one year gap in my working record which personally I would like to fill.

We are stick in a no win situation - as finding my own training means I also have to find the funding, OH needs to learn how to drive, But we cannot do this on his wages. Yet I was always under the impression that’s what the JC was there for.

(To help you find work OR to assist in building a career?) OR (Loans on offer for people wanted to build on a career - who is currently on a low income?)

But each time I have attended that tell me they will not help due to us not being on any form of benefit?

So now I’m totally confused if they can help? Or if it’s just a case of won’t help??

karenx

You will not get any help for your partner with his driving lessons and test. Why would he? It should be his employer paying it if it was part of his job.
You will get help from JSA if you were activly seeking full time employment but you are not, they would also help with your CV etc

PRINCESSX87

I am seeking full-time employment - But i would need a understanding employer. The only reason why my partners driving has come into it, Because when we was there he was told that can offer this in a form of a loan if he is paid under £750 pcm. < This was last year. Plus other people we know have also taken this grant!

As for me, In my first post i did state - Even if the support was information / Support ect.!

PRINCESSX87

Just to add, each time i have explained what i needed - Help with CV ect They have told me i need to be on benefits to have a advisor.

Jowo_2

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

...

At present we know we cannot claim housing or council tax benefit because we are not living in a property with our own tenancy.
We are both under 25 years.　
　

Do you mean that you live in private accommodation but the landlord refuses to give you a copy of the tenancy agreement to facilitate your claim for LHA?

Or do you mean that you live with a close relative? Nobody in the UK who lives in the same property as a relative who is the landlord orr holds the tenancy in their name gets LHA so if that's the case, its the consistent application of the entry criteria for a particular benefit.

karenx

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

I am seeking full-time employment - But i would need a understanding employer. The only reason why my partners driving has come into it, Because when we was there he was told that can offer this in a form of a loan if he is paid under £750 pcm. < This was last year. Plus other people we know have also taken this grant!

As for me, In my first post i did state - Even if the support was information / Support ect.!

Why are you not on JSA then if you are seeking full time employement?
I think you need to acess what is important to you here. You want help with your CV jobs etc etc, then you need to be on JSA. End of. Surly if your 2 family members who require care really needs it then they can get help of their own from someone else or claim DLA etc if they are in need of care.
Dont want to sound nasty but you cant have it both ways. If you want to care for family members unpaid then continue doing that and look for a part time job that fits around that. Bar, shop etc. If you want full time employement then you can claim JSA depending on your NI status and that means you will have to be available for interviews and job center appointments. You cant turn round and say you cant go to an interview at that time because you are busy! Employer will just cancel the interview.

beanybop

The need for 12 hours per day caring is not correct.

If you care for an individual person for 35 or more hours per week then if they also get DLA Middle or higher rate care allowance, or AA, then you could be entitled to Carer's allowance.

If you care for, say, 20 hours per relative then you will not qualify.

I know there is a change afoot about caring with a 20 hours threshold, but I think that may be NI credits only.

You need to cut down the caring hours, make yourself available for work and then claim JSA.

beanybop

I found the link re the 20 hours, it just protects your pension entitlements.

http://www.carersuk.org/Information/Caringforyourpension/CarersCredits