No longer entitled to income support as partner working 24 or more hours per week?

wantsajob

I just moved in with my partner and being the good honest person I am told them of my change of address and change of circumstances. I was on income support due to incapacity, and had been assessed that I did not need to keep going to the doctor for sick notes.

I just received a letter saying as my partner is in remunerative work of 24 hours or more a week (which she is but earning near minimum wage), or capital now exceeds £16,000 (which is not the case).

I had thought as my partner was earning minimum wage that I would still be entitled (even if it was not the full amount), and this change means I will probably have to consider bankruptcy as there is no way in which I can pay off my career development loan, and it would be a big strain on my partner to ask her to pay (I haven't had any success in finding work, due to my disability I believe.) As I was receiving this money I relied on it a great deal as you can imagine. Also things like the dentist and opticians are no longer available to me without money I don't have.

So down to the point, am I no longer entitled to income support just because my partner is working 40 hours a week, even though she earns close to minimum wage and neither she nor I has any savings to speak of?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Indie_Kid

Your partner earns too much for you to claim IS.

Vader123

sh1305 wrote: »

Your partner earns too much for you to claim IS.

Plus income support is to pay for basic living costs, not paying off loans.

Vader

wantsajob

sh1305 wrote: »

Your partner earns too much for you to claim IS.

Just to clarify - earns too much on minimum wage?!

Vader123 wrote: »

Plus income support is to pay for basic living costs, not paying off loans.

Well at least I do not smoke, take drugs, drink, or gamble. I think you'll find those claiming benefit are entitled to spend their money how they like. If that means avoiding a bad credit record by paying as little as possible to keep the loan going then that can't be a bad thing. I took the career development loan in order to develop my career in the hope of netting myself a job. Unfortunately this did not happen. I did not take the loan out for frivolous reasons. I now regret taking out the loan and if I had a crystal ball which showed me the future I wouldn't have bothered.

It's also not my fault I have a disability which means employers seem to have no interest in employing me which doesn't help with the paying off loans thing.

Boppy_2

Yes your partner earns too much regardless, not only that even if she worked 16 hours per week you would still not be entitled to income support.

Boppy_2

Vader123 wrote: »

Plus income support is to pay for basic living costs, not paying off loans.

Vader

The OP is entitled to spend his benefits on anything he likes.

wantsajob

Then it would be in my interests to move back to my mothers until I can find a job, or to steal. I like the first option most.

Is it worth applying for council tax benefit and housing benefit or would that be a no go because of partner's earnings too? I will have to remind my partner to apply for working tax credits.

kingfisherblue

The law says that a couple needs just over £100 a week to live on, so yes, your partner earns too much, even on the minimum wage. I think it is a bit more for people with disabilities, but it isn't a vast amount.

Boppy_2

wantsajob wrote: »

Then it would be in my interests to move back to my mothers until I can find a job, or to steal. I like the first option most.

Is your partner over 25? If so there's working tax credits, also housing/council tax benefit?

Indie_Kid

wantsajob wrote: »

Just to clarify - earns too much on minimum wage?!

The law says that (excluding rent and council tax) a couple needs to lvie on £102.75 per week. Minimum wage for 40 hours per week, is more than double that.

wantsajob

sh1305 wrote: »

The law says that (excluding rent and council tax) a couple needs to lvie on £102.75 per week. Minimum wage for 40 hours per week, is more than double that.

If only you wrote the letters and leaflets they sent, it would make a whole lot more sense. Thank you.