Income Based JSA rules & short term temporary work

Cookieraider_2

What are the rules when on Income Based Job Seekers allowance...

My husband has been on it since December after being made redundant, we are struggling as im a low earner trying to build a new business.

We are also claiming Council tax benefit, CTC (ONLY passported from IbJSA), free school meals, (& awaiting a claim for DLA for one of our kids)

We have never claimed benefits before so need a little help...

Whilst my husband is looking for a permanent job he has also registered self employed in the hope he might be able to sub-contract...

So far he has done one week of work and showed the invoice to the Job Centre who said his claim would close for that week and re-start (I also gave a copy to council tax benefit)

Now he has got 2 days of work coming up. Is that ok? I know he will loose his JSA for that week but how will that effect our other benefits listed? and do I need to inform them?

The system is not easy when you are tying to look for work!

Exodus

Cookieraider

The short answer is yes, I believe all providers would need to be notified of your husbands work, regardless of the length of time or the earnings he gets.

I know from working as a Benefits Advisor in my local council, any undeclared earnings would be seen as fraudulent, so definitely inform the council. The most likely scenario is that a small overpayment would be caused by the earnings, but it really depends on how much he earns...

Personally, I'd inform the council, if he's only earning a small amount, any overpayment would be small. Regarding the other benefits, Im not 100% sure as I don't have much experience in those.

Cookieraider_2

Estimate 2 days work £200. What would be classed as a slight overpayment?

When he told Job centre & the council benefit office they were really off with him about it! Not at all helpful.

I guess we're just unsure if its ok to do the odd bit of work if it comes up or not. Surely it's better to be honest & just loose your benefits for that week! Or if it was becoming more frequent ie twice a month could they stop benefits? Surely allowances can be made?

Cookieraider_2

https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/eligibility

It says as long as he works less than 16 hours a week?!

So as long as he only did less than 16, and it showed the number of hours he did on his invoice which they may want to see a copy of...

But what a hassle that will be if we have to phone up each agency ie tax credits/school meals/council tax benefit each time!