New rules for WTC and signing on JSA

Charityworker

I've just done a bit of digging around on the internet and found that with the new rules of Working Tax Credit coming out in April 2012 that any couple who doesn't have 24 hours of work between them can sign on JSA. So the person with the least hours can sign on and receive a bit of JSA which will then entitle them to full housing benefit and council tax benefit.

The down side to that is you will have to commit to signing on once every other week, apply for everything they tell you to and attend all their stupid schemes. But if it means your children won't be living in poverty and you will still be able to pay your bills it will be worth it.

I would appreciate it if there were constructive replies and not just the usual self ricious benefit bashers.

HappyMJ

Contributions based JSA does not automatically entitle a family to housing and council tax benefit. They still take into account the household income and assets.

Charityworker

HappyMJ wrote: »

Contributions based JSA does not automatically entitle a family to housing and council tax benefit. They still take into account the household income and assets.

What about income based JSA?

After 2012 we will have an income of £97.28 a week from my wages plus the CTC. I will be better off on the dole.

HappyMJ

Charityworker wrote: »

What about income based JSA?

After 2012 we will have an income of £97.28 a week from my wages plus the CTC. I will be better off on the dole.

If someone is working more than 16 hours then you can't claim income based. You will be better off on JSA. Many people will be. Do you want to be on JSA and then after 12 months be forced to work in a job for no extra money for 4 weeks? I wouldn't so I choose to make up the hours by doing self employment work with little profit but it is work that I enjoy.

Charityworker

HappyMJ wrote: »

If someone is working more than 16 hours then you can't claim income based.

Yes but isn't that threshold going up to 24 hours in april?

Charityworker

HappyMJ wrote: »

I wouldn't so I choose to make up the hours by doing self employment work with little profit but it is work that I enjoy.

Sorry have another question here. I'm thinking of doing temporary tattoos and face painting at childrens parties. Maybe this is better on the small business board but if I sat at a school fete for a whole day but only did say 5 faces would this still count as being most of my 8 hours? Or does it have to be the minumum wage?

HappyMJ

Charityworker wrote: »

Sorry have another question here. I'm thinking of doing temporary tattoos and face painting at childrens parties. Maybe this is better on the small business board but if I sat at a school fete for a whole day but only did say 5 faces would this still count as being most of my 8 hours? Or does it have to be the minumum wage?

The 24 hours is only for working tax credits it remains at 16 for JSA.

The hours count. The profit counts and it doesn't have to even be a positive profit. If you make a loss you can for working tax credits offset that against your earnings so that you get more in tax credits.