On JSA and CTC - advice on taking a lodger please?

babydoo10

Hi,

Newbie here so please be kind! I've had a search but nothing matches my scenario that I could see so I hope someone can advise?

I'm a single mum, just come off IS and onto JSA due to daughter being 9. I get CTC, HB and CTB and part help with mortgage too (shared ownership property)

Obviously money is tight (I'm a regular jobseeker, not a scrounger but nothing out there, not even the lower paid jobs like retail or cleaning, which I'm happy to do) but a friend is in a need of a room and I have a spare one so it would be great if I could let her stay.

She works full time but wouldn't be contributing to the rent or mortgage, (at my request as they virtually are paid for anyway) but will pay towards, or take over, some or all of the utilities and buy her own food, toiletries etc.

Nothing has been properly discussed as this won't be an option if it's going to make me worse off so it's just an idea for now.

So, does anyone know if and how much it will affect things?

Thanks for any help

real1314

From what you've described I would suggest that as a friend staying with you, she would be classed as a non-dependant. This change would not affect your JSA, CTC, CHB etc, but your CTB and HB would be affected.

They would be reduced by an amount dependant on your friends income.

The amounts can be found here:-

http://www.merton.gov.uk/living/benefits/hb-ctb/benefitsclaim/nondependant.htm

babydoo10

Thanks for that useful advice, I'll take a look at the link tomorrow. Cheers! x