Benefits advice when moving in together

djbum_syd

Hi,

I've searched online but can't seem to find anything on the directgov website, etc.
I am currently claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit - I returned to college this September (Forensic Science, eeep) and have a 14 month old daughter. I was made redundant whilst pregnant and had no luck job searching once D was born.
My partner lives in his own flat, but has been made redundant recently so is also claiming Housing Benefit for his property. He also receives JSA, whilst actively looking for work (he's really trying, bless him)

My question is, we are talking about him finally moving in with me and our daughter. How would we go about sorting out the benefits issue?
Do I stop claiming Income Support? He stop claiming JSA?

I've tried to call the local job centre for advice, but not having much luck. They want me to go in for an appointment, but college 5 days a week makes it impossible.

I want to make sure we do it all above board, so any advice people could give would be appreciated.

[Deleted User]

tbh it maybe worth taking half a day off college to sort this out,isnt half term coming up?
basically you will be treated as a couple and will get less in benefits,but will also have less outgoings by only living in one home with one set of bills.

healy

Red_Shoes_No_Knickers wrote: »

Love wins! :kisses2:

Sorry this is off topic but did you know that Bradley is dead?

healy

Red_Shoes_No_Knickers wrote: »

Hello healy, it is nice to meet you! :hello:

:doh:Oh dear, it has been a long time since I watched it ... Will just have to find a new conquest?

Is that better? :beer:

Nice to meet you too, I am glad I did not upset you with the news about Bradley.

No Robbie Jackson does not do it for me - bad skin, but each to their own!

Oldernotwiser

djbum_syd wrote: »

Hi,

I've searched online but can't seem to find anything on the directgov website, etc.
I am currently claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit - I returned to college this September (Forensic Science, eeep) and have a 14 month old daughter. I was made redundant whilst pregnant and had no luck job searching once D was born.
My partner lives in his own flat, but has been made redundant recently so is also claiming Housing Benefit for his property. He also receives JSA, whilst actively looking for work (he's really trying, bless him)

My question is, we are talking about him finally moving in with me and our daughter. How would we go about sorting out the benefits issue?
Do I stop claiming Income Support? He stop claiming JSA?

I've tried to call the local job centre for advice, but not having much luck. They want me to go in for an appointment, but college 5 days a week makes it impossible.

I want to make sure we do it all above board, so any advice people could give would be appreciated.

Assuming that you're doing a Forensic Science degree full time, you shouldn't be claiming IS at the moment as your student loan/grant will put you over the threshold.

Indie_Kid

You'd make a joint claim for JSA (although I'm not 100% sure how this works if you're at college) and child tax credits.

Oldernotwiser

sh1305 wrote: »

You'd make a joint claim for JSA (although I'm not 100% sure how this works if you're at college) and child tax credits.

I didn't think that there were any Forensic Science courses below Foundation Degree level. Perhaps the OP could clarify what course she's doing?

leebee11_2

Hi,
Oldernotwiser, she could claim income support while being a uni student, as she would have told them she is a single parent I assume. So she could claim, but they would look at her income and deduct it from the IS so just depends on what student finance she got I guess?
Her partner could carry on claiming JSA, on her behalf too, but again, would have student finance stuff deducted - but this is all assuming she is at University
Hope this helps

ovenreadywombat

djbum_syd wrote: »

Hi,

I've searched online but can't seem to find anything on the directgov website, etc.
I am currently claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit - I returned to college this September (Forensic Science, eeep) and have a 14 month old daughter. I was made redundant whilst pregnant and had no luck job searching once D was born.
My partner lives in his own flat, but has been made redundant recently so is also claiming Housing Benefit for his property. He also receives JSA, whilst actively looking for work (he's really trying, bless him)

My question is, we are talking about him finally moving in with me and our daughter. How would we go about sorting out the benefits issue?
Do I stop claiming Income Support? He stop claiming JSA?

I've tried to call the local job centre for advice, but not having much luck. They want me to go in for an appointment, but college 5 days a week makes it impossible.

I want to make sure we do it all above board, so any advice people could give would be appreciated.

If you move in together your partner would become the main claimant, claiming JSA. You would be treated as a couple claim not a joint claim. A joint claim is where both look for work. Your income support would stop as you are claiming income support as a lone parent. You would have to tell your jobcentre to stop your claim the day he moves in as you would no longer be "lone". This would be the case irrespective of you attending a course. Don't worry you won't have to sign on..you'll just be effectively named on his claim as his partner.
It is really your partner who needs to notify the jobcentre of a change of his circumstances. If you both claim at the same jobcentre this will be a fairly smooth process...however if he claims at a different jobcentre to you it means he will have to do a live transfer of his claim, to your jobcentre. This is assuming he moves in with you.
He will have to complete a form...jsa3.. its a change of circumstances form. If he's claiming from the same jobcentre as you he needs to call the local benefit delivery centre and tell them of his change of circumstances. They will tell him what he needs to do (probably send him a jsa3 out). If he's moving jobcentres, he needs to attend the new one asap after the move & tell them he wants a "live transfer" they will book him an interview with a new claims advisor. He will have to draw up another job seekers agreement again, fill in the jsa3 form, give your details...all your details...your national insurance number, name of your child, birthdates, and he will need a copy of your learning agreement from your course and details of any ema or student grant you are getting. Its not a simple process..you would have to inform your local housing office of your change of circumstances too...keep them in the loop. Also tell the tax credits as you will be getting the lone parent element of child tax credit at the moment and you will have had a change of circ's. Hope this helps....Oh and he will have to stop his claim for housing benefit when he moves out of his property.

Oldernotwiser

leannebarry1 wrote: »

Hi,
Oldernotwiser, she could claim income support while being a uni student, as she would have told them she is a single parent I assume. So she could claim, but they would look at her income and deduct it from the IS so just depends on what student finance she got I guess?
Her partner could carry on claiming JSA, on her behalf too, but again, would have student finance stuff deducted - but this is all assuming she is at University
Hope this helps

The student loan and grant is far too high to allow anyone to actually receive IS and she'll receive this funding whether she's at university or college, as long as she's on a degree level course. This is why I asked the OP to clarify what level of course she's on.

djbum_syd

I am doing a Forensic Science National Diploma.
According the job centre (who I spoke to in August before the course started), I am still entitled to IS - I would stop claiming should I then go onto University. Grants and Loans are not given out to college students.

Thank you ovenreadywombat (cool name btw :P).
I did think we would have to claim as a couple, I just wasn't sure what benefit, etc we would need to claim. But you've cleared that bit up for me.
This is all assuming that come next month when he does move in that he is still on benefits - fingers crossed he has a job!! Lol.