Housing Benefit. Can they make me claim JSA?

gustav

I am not currently working, and have no income. I haven't worked for 2 years (or claimed benefits) because i sold my house following divorce, and needed some time to sort out stuff in my life.
I have some cash in the bank, that might last me til xmas if i'm careful.
I have applied for HB for my newly rented flat, and have been told that they will process my claim, but expect me to claim JSA (helpful lady even gave me their phone number), as they dont seem to know how to deal with somebody living on savings, with no income.
I dont want to claim JSA at the moment, as, even tho i would like a job, i will be unlikely to be offered one because of (a) age, and (b) lack of references (some people want 3 !). It just seems like a pointless exercise.

Has anybody here had any experience of claiming HB under similar circumstances?
Am i really obliged to apply for JSA, and play their game?

Thanks for not Trolling or Flaming.

G.

pmlindyloo

You do not have to claim JSA to be able to claim HB. HB is availalbe to people on low incomes as well. Perhaps the person you spoke to was trying to be helpful and make sure you got everything you are entitled to.

As long as your savings are not higher than £16000 you will be entitled to some HB (HA if a private rental) and also CTB.

Just a thought though. What are you doing about your NI contributions?

gustav

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You do not have to claim JSA to be able to claim HB. HB is availalbe to people on low incomes as well...
Just a thought though. What are you doing about your NI contributions?

1.They seem to be baffled by the fact that i have no income.
2.i've been paying voluntary class 2 since i left work.

G.

HappyMJ

gustav wrote: »

1.They seem to be baffled by the fact that i have no income.
2.i've been paying voluntary class 2 since i left work.

G.

They can get a bit confused with people with no income. I would just declare you have income of £75 per week anyway even if in reality you don't. It won't affect your claim as you can have £71 (from next week) plus £5 of income anyway without the HB being reduced.

gustav

HappyMJ wrote: »

They can get a bit confused with people with no income. I would just declare you have income of £75 per week anyway even if in reality you don't. It won't affect your claim as you can have £71 (from next week) plus £5 of income anyway without the HB being reduced.

But they will want to know where the income is coming from... :undecided

G.

Voyager2002

gustav wrote: »

I am not currently working, and have no income. I haven't worked for 2 years (or claimed benefits) because i sold my house following divorce, and needed some time to sort out stuff in my life.
I have some cash in the bank, that might last me til xmas if i'm careful.
I have applied for HB for my newly rented flat, and have been told that they will process my claim, but expect me to claim JSA (helpful lady even gave me their phone number), as they dont seem to know how to deal with somebody living on savings, with no income.
I dont want to claim JSA at the moment, as, even tho i would like a job, i will be unlikely to be offered one because of (a) age, and (b) lack of references (some people want 3 !). It just seems like a pointless exercise.

Has anybody here had any experience of claiming HB under similar circumstances?
Am i really obliged to apply for JSA, and play their game?

Thanks for not Trolling or Flaming.

G.

You might just as well claim JSA.

There is nothing unusual about being un-young, nor about not having current references. The advisers at the Job Centre SHOULD be able to suggest ways to deal with these issues and eventually be able to work. (I say SHOULD because in practice they vary from the excellent to the totally useless, and so you must not allow yourself to be discouraged if the first adviser you find is less than helpful.) And so long as you are available for work, and are making appropriate efforts to find work, you are legally entitled to JSA.

pmlindyloo

HappyMJ wrote: »

They can get a bit confused with people with no income. I would just declare you have income of £75 per week anyway even if in reality you don't. It won't affect your claim as you can have £71 (from next week) plus £5 of income anyway without the HB being reduced.

I think that this will really confuse them They will want to see evidence of this income etc

Just explain that you are living on your savings. This really shouldn't be a problem.

gustav

pmlindyloo wrote: »

...
Just explain that you are living on your savings. This really shouldn't be a problem.

The lady i spoke to this morning certainly thought it was a problem.



G

pmlindyloo

gustav wrote: »

The lady i spoke to this morning certainly thought it was a problem.



G

Did she say that you couldn't claim then?

Perhaps she was having a bad day/was new

Income based JSA gives you automatic entitlement to full HB (maximum Housing Allowance for your situation) so perhaps it meant a more complicated process and she couldn't be bothered

Telephone again and ask to speak to a supervisor if you have any problems.

To be honest I would tend to agree with the poster who says claim JSA. You will have to do this when your savings run out anyway or do't' you want the hassle of signing on etc.?

gustav

pmlindyloo wrote: »

...

To be honest I would tend to agree with the poster who says claim JSA. You will have to do this when your savings run out anyway or do't' you want the hassle of signing on etc.?

It is a hassle, and i know people who get nothing but grief from Jobcentre jobsworths because they're not applying for enough jobs (even tho there arent actually any to apply for).
Yes, the extra £60-70 (?) pounds per week would be useful, but i dont really want to sign up just so i can restock Holland & Barrett shelves for the money. I'm depressed enough already..
(Now there's something to start the trolls off...)

G.

pmlindyloo

Just re read your original post and see that they will process your claim (note to self to read more carefully) so no problem regarding HB/HA

Have you checked your HA entitlement on your local council website or are you in council accommodation? If you are in privately rented accommodation then you may be liable to pay for the 'top up'. Don't forget to factor this in to your expenditure.

You sound a bit depressed. Forgive me for prying but are you getting some help for this?