Carers allowance & Jobseekers

stevecosta

Hi all, hoping somebody may be able to advise me.

I have recently returned to England (6 weeks ago) with little money. My Mother has allowed myself and my girlfriend to stay at her house until I get sorted out with work etc.

I have not been able to claim benifits as my Mother is afraid of it may effect her carers allowance and income support. (she is a full time carer of my grand parents). In her claim it states she lives alone which was totally true until I ended up on her door step. With her little income she is finding it differcult and I would love to contribute.

If I were to claim for jobseekers allowance would I affect her claim? This is only a temp. address.

many thanks in advance,

Steve

AsknAnswer2

Your living there will affect a housing benefit/council tax benefit claim in the form of a non dependent deduction being made to her claim. The amount of this deduction varies depending upon your income. Even if you are not paying her any keep they will still apply a deduction and if she is not declaring you living there she is failing to declare a change in circumstances and therefore commiting fraud.

If you are claiming income based JSA the non dependent deduction would be £7.40 per week housing benefit, nil for council tax if you are aged over 25. If you are under 25 and claiming income based JSA it will be nil for both benefits. If you receive contributory based benefit the deduction will be £7.40 per week housing benefit and £2.30 per week council tax benefit. If you are not on benefits then the sum will obviously be different.

You may not qualify for income based benefits, having been out of the country and will likely need to go through the habitual residence test.

stevecosta

Thanks for replying, she is a home owner so does not claim housing benifit, but she does claim council tax benifit.

So it doesn't look to good for us, I really hope I find work soon, things are getting quite desperate.

Oldernotwiser

stevecosta wrote: »

Thanks for replying, she is a home owner so does not claim housing benifit, but she does claim council tax benifit.

So it doesn't look to good for us, I really hope I find work soon, things are getting quite desperate.

Sorry, I can't see how you've read the above reply as meaning it doesn't look good for you. Perhaps you've misunderstood?