Very confused with entitlements

ArseandElbow

Hi quick question, mypartner is currently out of work was claiming benefits (income related) for a period last year but stopped.

However, she is now back in the job searching mode but she is convinced that she is not entitled to any benefits due to my salary.

I have no idea how the benefit system works as I've only ever claimed JSA 17 years ago.

So need some advice but don't know what info I need to give here.

p00hsticks

Assuming that you're living together and on a reasonable salary then I suspect shes probably right.

You say she was claimimg income-based benefits previously - is this because she hadn't sufficient NI contributions ? What benefits was she claiming ?

Assuming she doesn't have sufficient NI contributions, then any claim to income-based JSA now would take into account the household income (your salary).

ArseandElbow

p00hsticks wrote: »

Assuming that you're living together and on a reasonable salary then I suspect shes probably right.

You say she was claimimg income-based benefits previously - is this because she hadn't sufficient NI contributions ? What benefits was she claiming ?

Assuming she doesn't have sufficient NI contributions, then any claim to income-based JSA now would take into account the household income (your salary).

sorry Earnings based but as she's been out of work (she finished due to illness) for over a year it will be income-based.

Is it based on net income or gross? I have several payments (non-regular bills such as rent etc.. ) which equate to 30% of my salary.

ArseandElbow

Sorry not sure what benefit it was (I'm not too good on the names of these payments) I think it was something like employment support? or something. I know it was based on what she was earning previously but like i said she'd claimed this for a while (under a year) but then stopped as we were looking at moving away so wouldn't be entitled but this has fallen through.. so we're stuck in the UK!

ArseandElbow

my salary is £29k gross. I'm paying off some old debts which come to 30% of my net but they are due to finish shortly so it should go down to 10% of my income in 2 months.

Caz3121

outgoings are not taken into account. If you work over 24 hours a week and earn over £112 per week (the amount of JSA for a couple) then she will receive no payment but can still sign on to have her NI credited

Any benefits (eg housing) would be based on your household income and at £29k it is unlikely to be anything

ArseandElbow

oh well..... rice and beans for dinner it is!

ArseandElbow

terrible to think I'd be better off finishing work!

rogerblack

ArseandElbow wrote: »

Hi quick question, mypartner is currently out of work was claiming benefits (income related) for a period last year but stopped.

JSA, for a claim made this year will look at the NI paid in tax years 2010/11 and 11/12.
Any period of unemployment since April 12 doesn't count.
If she's had 6 months JSA already since her last employment - she will not be entitled to contributions based JSA.

Caz3121

ArseandElbow wrote: »

terrible to think I'd be better off finishing work!

I doubt that very much.

If in private rental you would get the LHA rate for a one bedroom property and have to pay the rental difference, part council tax, all bills from £112 per week....and if your current debts are £600 per month you would end up in further debt very quickly.
Best to encourage her even to take a few hours part time...every penny is additional income into the household

ArseandElbow

it was just me wondering would she be entitled to anything while we only have my income which is "garnished" for want of a better word.

seriously after these debts and rent I'm left with under £500 a month, from this all utilities and food and travel must be paid for!

Luckily we are slightly subsidised by step-son as he's living with us at the moment.