Confusion over JSA

perdusys

I'd like a bit of advice on claiming JSA. My sons girlfriend, who lives with us in the family home has been told that as she lives with my son, even though its in our house, he is expected to support her and she cannot claim.
I was under the impression that JSA had nothing to do with that, and she is not my sons dependent, so why is she being told that?
My son has a 20 hour a week contract, so we have to subsidise him in any case, he's 29 for Gods sake!! Both of them have just finished a 3 year degree in Education studies and are hoping to start again on a teacher training course in September.
My son has worked part time through his degree course, subsidised by us, and his girlfriend moved in as it was easier with them both studying. She had a few zero hours contracts and a Xmas temp job, and paid us keep from this or her student grant.
Is this correct?

jacques_chirac

Yes, that is correct. They are a couple and as such are expected to support each other. 20 hours a week at NMW will be higher than JSA, however she may sign on a 'Credits only' basis if she wishes to.

perdusys

I must be really old fashioned, when did being someone's boyfriend turn into being a partner and being expected to support them?
And what did my income have to do with it, considering they asked her what my husband earns too!!!
As far as I am concerned, my son barely earns enough to support himself and can only do so if I do not charge him anything like it costs really for his keep. How could he be expected to keep a girlfriend too, and in fact, since it will be us paying, why should my husband and I?
So, what you are really saying is she will have to move out, because I can't afford to keep them both.

jacques_chirac

perdusys wrote: »

I must be really old fashioned, when did being someone's boyfriend turn into being a partner and being expected to support them?
And what did my income have to do with it, considering they asked her what my husband earns too!!!
As far as I am concerned, my son barely earns enough to support himself and can only do so if I do not charge him anything like it costs really for his keep. How could he be expected to keep a girlfriend too, and in fact, since it will be us paying, why should my husband and I?
So, what you are really saying is she will have to move out, because I can't afford to keep them both.

A girlfriend and boyfriend become partners when they start to live together.

Your income is not taken into account.

It is polite to thank someone when they answer a question - not rant at them.

paddedjohn

If you don't like supporting your son and his partner then you can always ask them/her to leave.

pmlindyloo

perdusys wrote: »

I must be really old fashioned, when did being someone's boyfriend turn into being a partner and being expected to support them?
And what did my income have to do with it, considering they asked her what my husband earns too!!!
As far as I am concerned, my son barely earns enough to support himself and can only do so if I do not charge him anything like it costs really for his keep. How could he be expected to keep a girlfriend too, and in fact, since it will be us paying, why should my husband and I?
So, what you are really saying is she will have to move out, because I can't afford to keep them both.

It is not the fact that she is your son's girlfriend it is the fact that they live together as a couple.

If your son is working 20 hours a week then he is earning over £100 a week. I am not sure why you are subsidizing him now. If it costs you £100 a week to have them live there then that is what you charge them.

He is a grown up (and without sounding too harsh) needs to take more responsibility for him and his girlfriend since they have chosen to live together. Perhaps if you charged them the 'going rate' they would look for extra work/a second job to 'pay their way'.

We are not talking about a young person here. You say he is 29 years old. When is he going to stop relying on the bank of mum and dad? (said with great understanding - got the t shirt!)

perdusys

Wasn't aware that was a rant, but there you go. Ok, if that's the considered opinion I apologise.

Still do not agree, but as you say, they, or more likely, she, will have to go. I'm just glad that its never been necessary to have to rely on benefits, since when you need them, they don't appear to be there.

I was under the obviously mistaken impression that JSA was Jobseekers allowance, and had nothing to do with having a partner or anything else.

What a sad sate of affairs.

Torry_Quine

perdusys wrote: »

Wasn't aware that was a rant, but there you go. Ok, if that's the considered opinion I apologise.

Still do not agree, but as you say, they, or more likely, she, will have to go. I'm just glad that its never been necessary to have to rely on benefits, since when you need them, they don't appear to be there.

I was under the obviously mistaken impression that JSA was Jobseekers allowance, and had nothing to do with having a partner or anything else.

What a sad sate of affairs.

As she doesn't have NI contributions enabling her to get contribution based JSA then she can only claime income based. Income based takes into account a partner's income and or household savings.

perdusys

pmlindyloo wrote: »

It is not the fact that she is your son's girlfriend it is the fact that they live together as a couple.

If your son is working 20 hours a week then he is earning over £100 a week. I am not sure why you are subsidizing him now. If it costs you £100 a week to have them live there then that is what you charge them.

He is a grown up (and without sounding too harsh) needs to take more responsibility for him and his girlfriend since they have chosen to live together. Perhaps if you charged them the 'going rate' they would look for extra work/a second job to 'pay their way'.

We are not talking about a young person here. You say he is 29 years old. When is he going to stop relying on the bank of mum and dad? (said with great understanding - got the t shirt!)

Actually, he was at uni and couldn't live on his wage and grant because of travel etc. I expect to support him, and I will again through the full time PGCE course when he won't be able to work, because at 29, he is trying to make a career instead of just having a job. Its impossible to live on the maintenance grant, and run the car that he needs to get to uni. There is no public transport. There's certainly no money left to support his girlfriend too, as well as giving me something towards his keep.