Just got married (Sad face)

Kayalana99

DigForVictory wrote: »

Congraulations!
The missus does know you're hideously in debt? (And still married you? There's love, bach - hang onto her!)
So now the thank you letters are written (by you both?) time to write up a budget.
Matrimoney - always tricky, but start early & when you're eventually debt free, you spoil her to each point of the compass.
Help? From the Government? In a word, no. There's a modest tax break if you've a family but other than that? You've married the best help you'll get.

PSST SHE's in debt as well!

Youngest78

Ok, I'm a bit lost. So the issue really is co-habiting. So, just so i understand, if we were simply co-habiting as a couple then this principle of 24 hours or more would still apply, irrespective of our personal circumstances, income etc?

Indie_Kid

Debts are ignored for benefits. You may get a little bit of housing benefit if you rent and possibly council tax?

Youngest78

duchy wrote: »

It is co-habiting that changes things. Think about it-You're paying for one property not two, lower utility charges, even down to furnishings - you need one washing machine , one three piece suite not two, one home insurance policy etc etc. It wouldn't be fair that two people living seperately got the same as two people living together.

I'm not arguing with this, or anything else that's been said, I'm just surprised by the fact that when you hit that threshold of 24 hours you're deemed self-sufficient, irrespective of your actual circumstances.

Poppie68

Youngest78 wrote: »

Ok, I'm a bit lost. So the issue really is co-habiting. So, just so i understand, if we were simply co-habiting as a couple then this principle of 24 hours or more would still apply, irrespective of our personal circumstances, income etc?

Could you imagine how many people would not get married if this was'nt the case?

Mojisola

Youngest78 wrote: »

We have always kept our finances separate, mainly because I have a lot (and i mean a lot) of debt. She has been in receipt of JSA.

We recently got married and once she informed the job centre they have now written to her informing her that because I work more than 24 hours a week she's no longer eligible.

If she has been claiming means tested JSA while co-habiting, she may find herself having to pay money back.

As others have said - it's living together that changes eligibility for benefits, not getting married.

kelpie35

Can you not get a second job if your wife finds it so difficult to find a job?

duchy

Youngest78 wrote: »

Ok, I'm a bit lost. So the issue really is co-habiting. So, just so i understand, if we were simply co-habiting as a couple then this principle of 24 hours or more would still apply, irrespective of our personal circumstances, income etc?

Yes - marriage makes no difference . You should be making a joint claim if you are living together as a couple -regardless of marital status....and if you were living together before should have been doing so previously too. "Working away" say Monday to Friday in the UK but coming "home" at weekends is still living together btw.... Working abroad can have different rules depending on where in the world and for how long.

duchy

Youngest78 wrote: »

I'm not arguing with this, or anything else that's been said, I'm just surprised by the fact that when you hit that threshold of 24 hours you're deemed self-sufficient, irrespective of your actual circumstances.

Yep - couples of working age with no children are always much much better off both working compared with one working and one not. Your wife really needs to find at least part-time work to help out.

Poppie68

Youngest78 wrote: »

I'm not arguing with this, or anything else that's been said, I'm just surprised by the fact that when you hit that threshold of 24 hours you're deemed self-sufficient, irrespective of your actual circumstances.

Circumstances? If you mean peoples incomings and outgoings that is purely a choice..Some people choose to be frugal and some live beyond their means, the benefit system is not there to fund someones choices is there (well should be!) to provide a safety net for peope that are in need. Being in debt is not a circumstance that is taken into account...have you been onto the Debt Free board, some excellent advice on there.