Contribution-Based JSA

[Deleted User]

HappyMJ wrote: »

It may take a very long time to get your dream job. All the time your debt to your "partner" is increasing. What would you do if you decided to have children together? Would you still expect to work to pay your half of the rent?

At no point have I said I'm looking for a dream job. I am looking for any job at the moment and have 2 interviews in the next two days. I just want a job to tide me over for the time being and when I get one, will keep a lookout for other positions. Having children is not an option for us and hence, I intend to stay financially independent as much as possible.

midnight_express

Good luck with the interviews.

HappyMJ

Deleted_User wrote: »

My half of the bills and rent amount to a total of £600 a month, including food and everything else. My boyfriend and I had a long-distance relationship for 5 years (me being in Scotland then Wales and him in England) before we decided we wanted to be closer and moved in together. Money issues will not ruin an otherwise wonderful relationship, he has offered me money on several occasions but I am aware of his debts and other outgoings and refuse to accept money unless I can pay it back. So far I have been relying on my savings which are quickly running out so I thought JSA may be an option.

£600 a month...along with his £600 a month share it's £1200 a month. That's £277 a week. As I said earlier your combined income would be £348 so you will have £71 a week between you to spend on whatever you want between you. When your £67.50 runs out that will reduce to £4 a week. It'll be hard but that's what two people do when they choose to live together as H&W.

[Deleted User]

HappyMJ wrote: »

£600 a month...along with his £600 a month share it's £1200 a month. That's £277 a week. As I said earlier your combined income would be £348 so you will have £71 a week between you to spend on whatever you want between you. When your £67.50 runs out that will reduce to £4 a week. It'll be hard but that's what two people do when they choose to live together as H&W.

We're not married though. I understand what you're saying but as a result of a messy divorce between my parents (my mum worked for my dad) where my mum was left with no money and my father (a lawyer) got away without paying child maintenance when I was growing up, I am very aware of the importance of remaining financially independent, especially as a woman. I intend to be on JSA for the shortest time possible. For a start, I get depressed when I don't have a job so have been applying for any job going within 15 miles that I would be capable of. Perhaps I'm overly optimistic as I appreciate how hard it is to find a job in this climate but I imagine I would be able to get a job within a couple of weeks that pays minimum wage. If not, then I know my bf would support me financially until I did. It's me that is not comfortable with this prospect, not him.

midnight_express

Just because jobs pay NMW doesn't mean they are easy to get. They are often the ones that get hundreds or thousands of applicants. A department store in my town had 500 applicants for two part time sales jobs.

[Deleted User]

midnight_express wrote: »

Just because jobs pay NMW doesn't mean they are easy to get. They are often the ones that get hundreds or thousands of applicants. A department store in my town had 500 applicants for two part time sales jobs.

True, which is what I am worried about. I don't think they'll be easy to get but I do think I am in with a good shot, considering I have a lot of experience.

Oldernotwiser

Deleted_User wrote: »

We're not married though. I understand what you're saying but as a result of a messy divorce between my parents (my mum worked for my dad) where my mum was left with no money and my father (a lawyer) got away without paying child maintenance when I was growing up, I am very aware of the importance of remaining financially independent, especially as a woman.

But you're living together as husband and wife for benefit purposes which is what matters. If you were the one working and he was unemployed then your salary would be used to assess his benefits.

Although financial independence is important, it's also a good idea to realise that you won't be independent when you're on benefits.

Good luck with the interviews.

bigadaj

Good luck with the job and you seem to be getting a rough ride on the forum. It's always a good idea to have an element of independence, particularly as people do seem to split up frequently. Whatever you say someone wants to have a pop, you've studied for at least four years and want to progress so keep on trying, take anything in the short term, and things should get easier longer term when you can get a position you are more happy with.

[Deleted User]

bigadaj wrote: »

Good luck with the job and you seem to be getting a rough ride on the forum. It's always a good idea to have an element of independence, particularly as people do seem to split up frequently. Whatever you say someone wants to have a pop, you've studied for at least four years and want to progress so keep on trying, take anything in the short term, and things should get easier longer term when you can get a position you are more happy with.

Thank you, this means a lot to me. I understand why people might be questionning me. I would resent paying taxes when there are people abusing the system, but I want to make it clear that I'm not doing this. I would really like a job, any job, at the moment. I would like to think my partner and I would be together for the rest of our lives but I am also not naive and realise that couples split up and I don't want to be left penniless which is why I am working to build an education and hopefully some savings one day! Thank you again for your kind words.

ad59

I agree with Bigadj. I think it's very good to try and maintain some financial independence and I wish you every success with your job-hunt.