would i be better off on benefits or getting a job?

ticklemeelmoo

Hi, my partner recently became disabled, and whilst he was in hospital i went on job seekers allowance and found a 13hour a week job to keep me occupied. i then saw i was still eligable for JSA so i've stuck with it.

now by partner is about 3 weeks away from his discharge date. we've applied for housing benefit as both his and my homes are unsuitable for a wheelchair user, hes applied for disabled living allowance.

because i only earn around £92 pounds a week, i think thats within the threshold for carers allowance? which is around £50 a week.

bearing this in mind.... can i get income support? im not entirely sure who its for, or how much it is?

and if i got another job, i'd lose out on carers allowance, and would i lose out on the housing benefit/council tax benefit? SO should i stay on benefits until both of us are able to work full time?

karenx

So do you both have seperate houses? Where are you going to live now and is it together?
Yes the limit for earnings is £95 per week anything over that you will lose the carers allowance. You can only apply if he gets DLA awarded.

ticklemeelmoo

thanks for your reply,

yeh, we live in seperate houses at the moment but we're planning on living together.

would i lose out on housing/council tax benefit if i got another job?

Oldernotwiser

Has your partner applied for DLA as you can only get CA if he gets DLA middle or higher.

karenx

ticklemeelmoo wrote: »

thanks for your reply,

yeh, we live in seperate houses at the moment but we're planning on living together.

would i lose out on housing/council tax benefit if i got another job?

Do both of you own your houses? Or just rent? As you cant get housing benefit for another additional house if you still own another one.
You wouldnt lose out completly you would still be entitled to a little but not the full amount.

ticklemeelmoo

no we both live with our parents, but with his disability it would be better if we were together so i can look after him.

because he's in a wheelchair we're assuming that he would get the higher DLA benefit. for mobility at least, not sure about the care aspect

thanks!

karenx

Yes but being in a wheelchair doesnt stop him doing alot of things, so dont assume he will get high rate.

TOBRUK

As karenx says don't assume he will get high rate DLA on either care or mobility components. DLA is based on care needs and mobility needs and the fact that he is in a wheelchair doesn't mean he will automatically get DLA.

You will only be able to claim carer's allowance if he gets MID or HIGH care rate. Sorry I don't know whether you would lose claim for housing benefit or council tax, and whether you can claim IS, I suppose the claim is also different if you are living together.

As you have made a claim for housing, does this mean that you have found a place to live as you are both living with parent's at present?