Job Seekers Allowance

pennylessstudent

Since graduating in July I've been unemployed and moved back home to live with parents and obviously saving money from not paying rent/bills etc. I started claimed job seekers allowance which I was entitled to but have since moved house. I now live with my boyfriend who has also graduated this year and only just started working but apparently this means I'm not entitled to any benefits. I'm responsible for my share of the bills, rent, council tax etc etc but the Job Centre won't give me a single penny in support as they reckon my partner should be able to afford to keep me.

I don't understand why the situation is that my parents don't support me when I was living at home but now that I have my own financial responsibilities I'm not entitled to anything. My boyfriend has literally only had his job for 3 days and won't get paid till the end of November so he definately can't afford to look after both of us. I'm desperately seeking a job but seriously struggling with the financial aspects of living away from home...I thought that Job Centre was there to help people financially while they look for a job!

Is this right? Is there anything else I can claim while I'm unemployed?

Oldernotwiser

Basically no. An adult isn't their parents' responsibility but couples LTAHAW are expected to support each other.

pennylessstudent

It seems crazy that they don't consider your personal circumstances. Neither of us have any savings, were both right at the ends of our overdrafts and need to pay for rent and bills etc. Why can't they assess me as an individual person and give me some sort of help with living?

As were not married or even engaged we should be seen as two separate people. If my boyfriend was to die then I wouldn't be entitled to any of his money as were not linked in any way. He can't support me.

PARIS_5000

Can you just move back to your parents and start claiming again ?

Have you looked on Gumtree yet for jobs ?

I am a recent graduate too but I am not signing on I agree that is very tough out there for graduates so I am willing take on a job that not the best so that I can have some income untill I get my graduate job.

Hammyman

pennylessstudent wrote: »

It seems crazy that they don't consider your personal circumstances. Neither of us have any savings, were both right at the ends of our overdrafts and need to pay for rent and bills etc. Why can't they assess me as an individual person and give me some sort of help with living?

As were not married or even engaged we should be seen as two separate people. If my boyfriend was to die then I wouldn't be entitled to any of his money as were not linked in any way. He can't support me.

We, the tax paying public, are not responsible for paying your debts. You can't be assessed as an individual because you are a couple. You share a house together. As such, it is customary in life for one partner to support the other if they're not working etc. If you want help, move and live on your own but I think you'll find it costs a lot more. If you don't qualify for income based JSA it is because as a couple you have more income than the law says you require to live on. I can't work out why he can't support you. The additional cost of another person, leisure activities aside, is basically the food and the extra electric used for bathing - £20 a week. Other than that, the bills are exactly the same as they would have been if he was living on his own.

Welcome to the real world.

pennylessstudent

PARIS_5000 wrote: »

Can you just move back to your parents and start claiming again ?

Have you looked on Gumtree yet for jobs ?

I am a recent graduate too but I am not signing on I agree that is very tough out there for graduates so I am willing take on a job that not the best so that I can have some income untill I get my graduate job.

I have looked on gumtree yes and been registering with all the agencies I can but it's difficult as I don't know the area. I could move back home but I'm currently about 5 hours drive away so would hardly ever see my boyfriend. So I either stick down here or we probably end our relationship as we would never get to see each other.

And I don't expect the tax payers to pay my debts off. I would happily take some sort of loan rather than benefits and pay it all back again when I can. I have worked full time before I started University which gave me enough money to support myself throughout the 3 years (on top of the student loans I could get) meaning that I didn't need to work part time and could focus on my degree. The Job Centre give so little help in actually helping you find a job that it seems pointless. I know many people that live at home and get JSA but as they aren't resposible for their own housing I don't feel they all need as much as they're getting. I do know some people do a lot to support themselves while they live at home but so many people also do nothing. I am trying to stand on my own two feet, be a responsible adult and do things for myself. I have applied for several jobs before even moving down here to try and avoid this problem but get rejection after rejection. I think there should be more options available to help the unemployed.

pennylessstudent

Hammyman wrote: »

...If you don't qualify for income based JSA it is because as a couple you have more income than the law says you require to live on. I can't work out why he can't support you. The additional cost of another person, leisure activities aside, is basically the food and the extra electric used for bathing - £20 a week. Other than that, the bills are exactly the same as they would have been if he was living on his own.

Welcome to the real world.

Thanks for that but neither of us have any savings, were both at the end of our overdrafts, and I was applying for income based JSA but the Job Centre refused to even asses it as we share a house. They assume we MUST have enough money already without them even looking at it.

*Kat*

Well, you shouldn't have moved in with him if you can't afford your fair share of the rent/bills/food etc? I dont understand why you moved in with him in the first place :S

pennylessstudent

This happens to be where he found a job so he had to move anyway. I moved as otherwise I would hardly ever see him

PARIS_5000

pennylessstudent wrote: »

I have looked on gumtree yes and been registering with all the agencies I can but it's difficult as I don't know the area. I could move back home but I'm currently about 5 hours drive away so would hardly ever see my boyfriend. So I either stick down here or we probably end our relationship as we would never get to see each other.

And I don't expect the tax payers to pay my debts off. I would happily take some sort of loan rather than benefits and pay it all back again when I can. I have worked full time before I started University which gave me enough money to support myself throughout the 3 years (on top of the student loans I could get) meaning that I didn't need to work part time and could focus on my degree. The Job Centre give so little help in actually helping you find a job that it seems pointless. I know many people that live at home and get JSA but as they aren't resposible for their own housing I don't feel they all need as much as they're getting. I do know some people do a lot to support themselves while they live at home but so many people also do nothing. I am trying to stand on my own two feet, be a responsible adult and do things for myself. I have applied for several jobs before even moving down here to try and avoid this problem but get rejection after rejection. I think there should be more options available to help the unemployed.

I never said that you expected the taxpayer to pay off your debts and I was just making the point that in current financial climate that recent graduates may have to take any job until they get graduate jobs.

I do understand that it very hard out there because I am a recent graduate too looking for work.

Good luck with your job hunting.

pennylessstudent

Thanks. I am looking for any job, I've sent my CV into loads of local shops but still getting rejected.