Going back to work.

feelex

Hi all,
This has probably been answered on several occasions but I just want a little clarification towards my personal circumstances.

My partner and I have been claiming JSA on a couples claim since October 2010, and we have been receiving Housing Benefit.

I got told yesterday that I have (FINALLY!) found a job!! I'll be working 25 hours a week, so after tax will be earning about £130 a week. I'm wondering how my returning to work will affect our housing benefit. Obviously I can't support us both, pay all of our bills and pay our rent on that money - would they continue to pay our HB? Would it be a full payment, or would I be contributing towards it? Would my partner need to sign on while I work (keeping in mind I'll be doing 25 hours a week)?

I'm also wondering about the amount of payment. The LHA changed earlier in the year and we're still on the old amount as we haven't moved house. Would the amount they paid us be based on this new LHA?

My main concern is that going back to work will pile debts on the door of myself and my partner. We've been so desperate to get back into work and now that one of us has finally been offered something, it's only a 25 hour week. I'm afraid I'm going to end up being worse off, I just REALLY don't want to miss out on this job. I worked so hard to get here.

I hope I was clear. Thanks in advance for your help.

feelex

Nobody has any idea?

MrsManda

I'm not sure about the details but until someone else comes along have you modelled your details on the direct.gov or turn2us benefits calculators?
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=

This should give you a rough idea of what you'll be entitled to once you start work.

Are you claiming income based JSA? If so, your partner won't get cash payments of JSA but would still get national insurance contributions if he continued to sign on.

Vixtaa

I am in exactly the same situation. oddly enough my hours are the same as yours too.

I was claiming ESA long term before getting back into work, and my advisor says I will be entitled to a £40 a week return to work credit. For some reason she could tell me nothing about housing benefit. She also told me that my partner would not be able to claim while I was working, which i think is ridiculous as no way will £140 a week support us both, including rent etc, and my travel costs. I checked the housing benefit on a website and apparently they will pay part, but I will have £40 a week to pay, and they will pay part council tax, but I will have £10 a week to pay for that too But this basically means I am working for LESS than we get now with us both being out of work and it is concerning me. I want to work, but I do not want to end up being thrown out of my home, or being unable to pay bills because of my desire to work. I am beginning to see why some people do not want to get back into work. I can get no tax credits either, as I do not have a child and am under 25. What sort of message is that giving out? We will help you only if you have children young?

feelex

I'm in the same boat in that I'm under 25 and have no children. I'm really frustrated that I've worked so hard to get a job and now I might not be able to take it - though, of course, they'll sanction my benefits if I decline a job.
All I can hope is that they don't set me a repayment that high, as with living off £10 a week shopping plus bills plus £50 a week on council tax/rent we'll by minus money.
This is so frustrating!!!

fluffymovie

Hello there

Usually, a claimant who has a partner who is working more than 24 hours per week cannot sign for JSA although if it is Contribution Based, this doesn't apply.

As for HB. Your earnings would be taken into account but as part of a couple, the first £10 of any wages are disregarded.

We then look at your household, other income such as DLA etc and do the calculation.

The LHA rate itself will not change until your anniversary or the end of the 9 month transitional protection. This is a change in income, not LHA.

The £40 per week back to work credit is not used as income vixtaa so this might make a difference to your calculation?

Vixtaa

fluffymovie wrote: »

Hello there

Usually, a claimant who has a partner who is working more than 24 hours per week cannot sign for JSA although if it is Contribution Based, this doesn't apply.

As for HB. Your earnings would be taken into account but as part of a couple, the first £10 of any wages are disregarded.

We then look at your household, other income such as DLA etc and do the calculation.

The LHA rate itself will not change until your anniversary or the end of the 9 month transitional protection. This is a change in income, not LHA.

The £40 per week back to work credit is not used as income vixtaa so this might make a difference to your calculation?

I didnt count it, I didnt see an option to do so.

On the entitled to calculator it doesnt even mention it either. I only know about it because of what my jobcentre advisor told me. However on the jobcentre site it says I'm only entitled to that if I get DLA, which I dont get :S