Benefits and part time work??

teenytinymoose

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site but hoped you lovely knowledgeable people would be able to help me

Me and my boyfriend want to move in together but we've been struggling to find full time jobs and only work part time.

My sister's told me we wouldn't be able to get housing benefit or council tax support because there's no reason we cant work full time jobs, even if we cant actually get the jobs right now.

Out of curiosity I went onto the government website and did the calculators where you put in your details and they tell you if you're entitled and it said we should get some though, so now I'm confused-are we entitled to any benefit support if we move in together whilst working part time?? :huh:

He works 15 hours a week and I currently work 12 with overtime but am possibly getting promoted to 20 hours a week thanks to someone leaving (not a lot more but more is better than none!)

Sorry for the rant, we are young newly graduated from uni and want to live together!

Thank you

specialboy

The amount of help you get depends on your combined income, not how many hours you work to earn it.

Mr_Lawnmower

specialboy wrote: »

The amount of help you get depends on your combined income, not how many hours you work to earn it.

That's not entirely true, as entitlement to tax credits depends on the number of hours worked.

specialboy

No one mentioned tax credits, the OP was asking about help with the rent.

Mr_Lawnmower

specialboy wrote: »

No one mentioned tax credits, the OP was asking about help with the rent.

teenytinymoose wrote: »

are we entitled to any benefit support if we move in together whilst working part time??

However, we're splitting hairs pointlessly. You were quite right to state that hours worked are irrelevant to Council Tax Help and Housing Benefit (the specific question asked), whilst I was correct in stating that hours worked were relevant to tax credits (the wider "any benefit support" question).

TattyG

Your sister might be meaning the stories in the news like this one - http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/dwp-housing-benefit-will-be-sanctioned/7002330.article

The government are saying that if you are capable of full time work but only work part time then HB will be sanctioned.

I don't think the go ahead has been given for this yet but I am not sure on the time scales that have been given as only started to see the stories appearing this weekend x

teenytinymoose

Thank you all for the advice. I've never moved out before (apart from student housing whilst at uni but that was a lot less confusing!) so I hate to say it but I am a bit clueless when it comes to benefits and things.
It's frustrating because we really are trying hard to get better jobs but we're having no luck and it just feels like we're failing as adults as well as a couple.

We spent ages trying to work out a rough plan for costs of bills, rent, council tax etc and so far without any support we wouldn't be able to afford it :'(

BigAunty

Looks like your sister is aware that some income related benefits (working tax credits) for example, do depend on time worked. For single people without dependents and aged 25 or over, its 30 hours to qualify for working tax credits.

Other means tested benefits, like council tax discount and housing benefit, are simply based on household income.

Of course, way back in the past, before a more generous benefit system and changes in household status, a couple wanting to live together would marry and if their income wasn't sufficient to allow them to rent a place together, would live with their parents......Unthinkable now.

teenytinymoose wrote: »

We spent ages trying to work out a rough plan for costs of bills, rent, council tax etc and so far without any support we wouldn't be able to afford it :'(

You will find the MSE budget planner very helpful. Also,try to work through the site and identify where to reduce your household spending, such as finding the cheapest energy, telecoms tariffs, etc.

Jobseeeker

teenytinymoose wrote: »

Out of curiosity I went onto the government website and did the calculators where you put in your details and they tell you if you're entitled and it said we should get some though, so now I'm confused-are we entitled to any benefit support if we move in together whilst working part time?? :huh:

Yes, if you're entitled to some housing benefit part time is irrelevant.

RAS

Hi

You need to find out the Local Housing Allowance for your area, for a one bedroom property. This is the limit above which you would have to make up any additional rent from your other income which will be a challenge.

Check also the Council tax for those sort of properties.

StormyWeather_2

teenytinymoose wrote: »

Thank you all for the advice. I've never moved out before (apart from student housing whilst at uni but that was a lot less confusing!) so I hate to say it but I am a bit clueless when it comes to benefits and things.
It's frustrating because we really are trying hard to get better jobs but we're having no luck and it just feels like we're failing as adults as well as a couple.

We spent ages trying to work out a rough plan for costs of bills, rent, council tax etc and so far without any support we wouldn't be able to afford it :'(

Wouldn't it be better to get full time jobs sorted, then move in together. I'm not being judgmental. Moving in with a partner is a big step, you don't want money worries hanging over you.