Information on JSA please! :)

daviduk1976

Hello!

My cousin has just packed his bags and is on his way to live with me in London. He has had to leave an abusive relationship. He was working for a temping agency, but moving over 200 miles a commute isn't possible. He couldn't find any other places to live, and it was best he left the area for a new start.

I was wondering whether he was entitled to claim any benefits to help him get on his feet?

I don't think it would be to difficult to find a job (famous last words) as he has a multitude of skills in different sectors.

My questions are....can he claim JSA until he finds a job whether it be part time/full time.

If its only part time...is he entitled to tax credits?

Is he allowed to claim housing benefit at my property for his room whilst he is claiming JSA?

Any information would be great...I can support him for a while, but I don't want to do this in the long term

Many Thanks
David

daviduk1976

Hi!

Well he has no job at the present....he's due to arrive in London today....I expect him to find or even start looking for work on Monday...as he has £100 to live on....will JSA be an automatic decline as he has had to leave work because he left.....but leaving an abusive relationship may be a factor that he can claim straightaway?

I am unsure of rules etc

daviduk1976

Thanks BB

Voyager2002

Yes: he can claim JSA. However, he MIGHT be sanctioned (not get any money for a few weeks) if they believe that he left a job for no good reason. He should still claim since in any case he would receive credits of NI contribution.

As for Housing Benefit (they would now call it LHA, since what is now called 'Housing Benefit' is only for people in social housing), this would only be available if the rent, contract and terms were on a commercial basis, that is if you treated him in the same way as you might treat a stranger renting one of your rooms.

daviduk1976

Thats a great help...thanks very much Voyager

I wasn't really that worried about the HB anyway.....didn't want them sniffing around my home anyway! But will get him to sort the JSA online.

pmlindyloo

Since he left his job voluntarily then he does face the possibility of being sanctioned. This is for both income and contribution based JSA.

He would have to show 'good reason' for leaving.

The relevant guidance is here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278266/dmgch34.pdf

Scroll down to 34231.

If he has any 'evidence' - e.g police report - it may be sensible to have this and anything else at the ready for when he is interviewed.

He can certainly claim as a lodger - he would be entitled to the shared room rate of local housing allowance - he would need a lodger's agreement or a letter from you saying that you are renting a room for him.

daviduk1976

Lindyloo thats brill advice.....I am sure that the police have been involved in his situation.....I'll find out. Thanks so much for your help