Benefits - Any Options

sbkj

Would anyone be willing to advise & point us in the right direction?

My partner was made unemployed 18mths ago & was on JSA-C for 6mths, so we have been living on my wage for the last 12mths.
We haven't claimed any other benefits within this time as everyone we have approached basically said that my wage was enough to support us both! Yes, it pays the bills but I wouldn't call it living.........
The Job Centre has been zero help all along & neither was the CAB & say that whilst I work & he lives under my roof as a couple, he is not entitled to any benefits.
Now, we have reached a point where I am unable to support him any longer.
The home is my name only but surely there must be something we can do as the only option it seems at the moment is for him to declare himself homeless, then he would be entitled to JSA-I, housing benefits, Health costs, etc.
That just seems wrong to me but we have run out of options & despite numerous phone calls & appointments, we don't seem to be able to get any advise.

Thanks in advance!

dmg24

How much do you earn? If you rent, how much is your rent? Any children?

sbkj

I've only just found out today that we are now eligible for working tax credit! But that doesn't really help us not with things like health costs.
I earn £15,500 & he isn't bringing anything in. No children & the mortgage is in my name only, at £350pm.

Oldernotwiser

What health costs do you have?

amiehall

I'd presume things like dental and opticians, prescriptions, things like that? They're means tested on household income.

seven-day-weekend

sbkj wrote: »

I've only just found out today that we are now eligible for working tax credit! But that doesn't really help us not with things like health costs.
I earn £15,500 & he isn't bringing anything in. No children & the mortgage is in my name only, at £350pm.

I don't think you would be entitled to any means-tested Benefits, although you could try for Council Tax Benefit.

IMHO £15500, whilst not a huge wage, is enough to live on with a mortgage of only £350 pcm.

Oldernotwiser

amiehall wrote: »

I'd presume things like dental and opticians, prescriptions, things like that? They're means tested on household income.

Not major items in most people's budget, which was why I asked.

AnxiousMum

How long have you been together as a couple?

mitchaa

18mths is a hell of a long time to be unemployed.

6mths okay, 12 mths at a stretch due to the shortage of jobs caused by the recession but 18mths is taking the michael. 18mths tells me someone does not want to work.

bunny999

It depends what your skills are and where you live.

Indie_Kid

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Not major items in most people's budget, which was why I asked.

Exactly. Amd some of those items aren't needed to be renewed that often.