JSA - Unemployed 'couple' living together.

vise

Long story short:

me:
I am studying 2 nights a week, Electrical Installation course, level 2
have over 2 years work experience in this feild
but have no work as an electricians mate
I have worked with one company that has gone bust in May 2012, and since then have only worked <4 weeks.

I am now in a position where I have been out of work for >2 weeks, and Im struggling to find any work in my feild (have had hopeless dead-ended offers, but no work!)

her:
My girlfriend of over 2 years, shes 18
has become homeless due to a domestic violence incident where her dad beat her and she ran away
she filed a police report, but family told her to drop all charges otherwise she will never be able to see her sister/further family.

was working with a fashion firm in the accounts department as an Apprentice, but due to her absence - the company was uncaring and forced her to sign a letter of resignation (she was homeless and looking for a place to stay at this time). So shhe lost her 2.60£ph wage and a good future because of this all.

a friend cared for her for <1month
and then her college let her stay in a hotel for <2 weeks to sort herself out...
however during this period nothing, no one, and nowhere could give her help.


I found a double room for us both, at an unconventional cost of >£500+ a month, at the majority of my expense..

We are now struggling to pay for the rent... and I do not think that the landlord is fully registered. She refuses to do any paperwork to aid our situation, which makes me assume she is not a registered landlord - and any signing on as a couple will cause us much greif with the landlord.

I am now signing on to JSA again, as much as I hate to do so.. but I am left with no other options.

I am studying 6 hours a week
and her 15 hours.

rent is paid fortnightly.. but my options are running thin and we will be homeless.



I do not know what to do, an I don't know what forms to fill and how so we can receieve help.
Ive tried many options, and applying for benefits is my last resort..


Can anyone give some insight, help us; so we can push through until we both find full time work?



If there are any questions un-answered.. please ask.
But please do not criticise, or be rude. I am trying my best on a daily basis to be in full time employment... and it really distresses me that I am not at work.

missapril75

Not being able to prove rent costs is a big obstacle to getting assistance with that. Did you at least get receipts?

I think it would be an idea to contact "Shelter" in your area, to at least address your tenancy rights. They may be aware of other issues regarding that landlord and what other housing options might be possible.

They also do advocacy work and, depending on the organisation (multi-agency working?) in your area you might be surprised what else they can offer.


Maybe there are keen to help welfare advisors at college? Or someone in the student's union?

rogerblack

You are not a 'couple' - you are a couple for essentially all benefits purposes.
Living together in the same household with your girlfriend will generally always be treated (rightly) as a couple.
You need to inform the DWP if you have not already.
To not do so risks at least sanctions, at most prosecution if it goes on for a long time, and any overpayments build up.

vise

missapril75 wrote: »

Not being able to prove rent costs is a big obstacle to getting assistance with that. Did you at least get receipts?

I think it would be an idea to contact "Shelter" in your area, to at least address your tenancy rights. They may be aware of other issues regarding that landlord and what other housing options might be possible.

They also do advocacy work and, depending on the organisation (multi-agency working?) in your area you might be surprised what else they can offer.


Maybe there are keen to help welfare advisors at college? Or someone in the student's union?

Receipts:
Yes I have a receipt of the initial deposit
and all fortnightly payments. I wouldn't dare step into accomodation at any stage without proof of payment..


Shelter:
Thanks for that, I will have a look online, and contact them tomorrow

College Advisors:
One has helped my gf for the 2week temporary accomodation in a hotel.
However the hotel priced its rooms @ £50 p/n. .....
that kind of money is a ludicrous waste as the total for the two weeks could have paid for over a month in rent for a double...
and definately almost 2months in a single room.


Thanks for the swift reply,
appreciate all contributions from other forum members none-the-less

DCFC79

re you applying for jobs, you need to consider applying for other jobs besides those in the electrician field. Cant answer the rest of your questions but good luck.

vise

rogerblack wrote: »

You are not a 'couple' - you are a couple for essentially all benefits purposes.
Living together in the same household with your girlfriend will generally always be treated (rightly) as a couple.
You need to inform the DWP if you have not already.
To not do so risks at least sanctions, at most prosecution if it goes on for a long time, and any overpayments build up.

Prosecution for what?
I am not claiming anything. I am asking what help could I be entitled to until i find work...
I am paying for everything out of my own pocket.. but I am in a position where I cannot afford this any longer.

Like I said.. I beleive my landlord is off the books... so Im lost in what I can do with current living arrangements. And If I do move out - I risk in loosing my £500+deposit.

xylophone

Have you tried seeking personal advice at the CAB?

vise

xylophone wrote: »

Have you tried seeking personal advice at the CAB?

I have upon initial discovery of my gf's situation.
They only gave me shelter numbers, who forwarded us to other numbers and at the end of the day no-one could give us any educated guidance without giving us more numbers.

epitome

vise wrote: »

Prosecution for what?
I am not claiming anything. I am asking what help could I be entitled to until i find work...
I am paying for everything out of my own pocket.. but I am in a position where I cannot afford this any longer..

He meant because you said you are now signing on for JSA again, that you must declare that you live with a partner - because you do.

Phone Housing Benefit and ask for advice from them about the reciepts.

One problem I see is that they (JSA) may not like her being on a 15 hour a week course, even though the limit is 16 hours, from my experience they don't stick to the written guidelines. You will both have to sign on............ joint claim.

missapril75

vise wrote: »

Receipts:
Yes I have a receipt of the initial deposit
and all fortnightly payments. I wouldn't dare step into accomodation at any stage without proof of payment..

So there might be enough on the receipts to help with an HB application especially if the landlord is known to them.

College Advisors:
One has helped my gf for the 2week temporary accomodation in a hotel.
However the hotel priced its rooms @ £50 p/n. .....
that kind of money is a ludicrous waste as the total for the two weeks could have paid for over a month in rent for a double...
and definately almost 2months in a single room.

I meant as advocacy in terms of helping through the benefits processes. Things can get a bit fiddly where p/t courses are involved and they may have experience of it with other clients.

(Shelter can do that sort of thing too)


PS, some councils around the country are very good at advising/supporting childless singles and couples - even having links with reliable private landlords.

vise

missapril75 wrote: »

So there might be enough on the receipts to help with an HB application especially if the landlord is known to them.

I meant as advocacy in terms of helping through the benefits processes. Things can get a bit fiddly where p/t courses are involved and they may have experience of it with other clients.

(Shelter can do that sort of thing too)


PS, some councils around the country are very good at advising/supporting childless singles and couples - even having links with reliable private landlords.

Thanks for that interesting advice...

a question for my current landlord:
She is private, and probably unknown to the govt. Im wondering if raising awareness that we are paying her rent will cause her trouble and grief?