Benefits for a couple, one under 25

Ramiriquez

Hi guys,

Really needing some advice here as I've never made a claim as part of a couple before and it seems we're not entitled to a lot.

I'm 31, just been let go from a temp position at Lloyds bank. My partner is 21 and in full time employment earning £13k gross. No savings or the likes and renting privately at £585 per month.

Been told I haven't paid enough contributions to get anything from JSA. Don't know what to do

All help is greatly appreciated x

pmlindyloo

Ramiriquez wrote: »

Hi guys,

Really needing some advice here as I've never made a claim as part of a couple before and it seems we're not entitled to a lot.

I'm 31, just been let go from a temp position at Lloyds bank. My partner is 21 and in full time employment earning £13k gross. No savings or the likes and renting privately at £585 per month.

Been told I haven't paid enough contributions to get anything from JSA. Don't know what to do

All help is greatly appreciated x

Put your details into the benefits calculator here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check

You won't be entitled to working tax credits as the working person is under 25.

However, you may be entitled to housing benefit and council tax reduction.

If you are entitled to HB then you can ask about the 13 week protection period. If you could afford your rent when you took on your tenancy and you haven't claimed HB in the last year then your HB assessment will be done on your current rent and not the local housing allowance (the calculator will not take this into account.)

Look and see if you can claim HB and CT reduction on line on your local council website or visit the local office.

You can still put in a claim for JSA and although you will get no money because of your partner's income they will pay your NI contributions. However you have to sign on and adhere to your job seekers agreement to get these.

Ramiriquez

I've done that and was hoping it wasn't accurate. Says we'll get £25 a week in HB and that's it. Sound right?

Ramiriquez

And thanks for the reply I've filled out the HB forms and will see what they have to say. I have claimed HB last year, but as a single claimant. Do you know if this will affect my chances of qualifying for the 13 week protection period?

pmlindyloo

Ramiriquez wrote: »

I've done that and was hoping it wasn't accurate. Says we'll get £25 a week in HB and that's it. Sound right?

Difficult to say as the local housing allowance is different depending on where you live.

Ditto with council tax reduction. Apart from a few statutory requirements each council has their own policies.

As regards the 13 week protection period I'm afraid I don't know if you claimed HB as a single person before. I don't know whether it is based on the property or the person. Sorry.

Just apply for HB and CT reduction and when you go in to get the forms you can ask about the 13 week protection period.

If it was for a different tenancy on a different property logic would say you would be eligible for it. Unfortunately the benefit system isn't always logical

Ramiriquez

Research shows me this. Will my partner be able to claim even though working? I have no clue guys so thanks for your help x

"10) Paragraph (9) shall not apply where a claimant was previously entitled to benefit in respect of a benefit period which fell wholly or partly less than 52 weeks before the commencement of his current award of housing benefit"

If the claimant was previously entitled to HB less than 52 weeks before the current claim then the 13 week protection will not apply regardless of which LA administered the previous claim, but I suggest that if that person has a partner, then the partner should makethe new claim and the 13 week protection shold apply.

nannytone_2

its all about applicable amounts.
your local LHA rate sets your applicable amount.
as long as you have paid rent in full at your current property for a minimum of 52 weeks, then for the first 13 of your housing benefit claim ... your total rent will be treated as the applicable amount.
the fact that your partner is working doesnt change this, but obviously her wages will be considered when working out how much HB you are entitled to as a couple

Ramiriquez

I should probably have said. Only been in this property for 2 months. My job, despite their assurances that there may be full time available, only last for 4 months. I had moved mid way as my previous tenancy had elapsed and I thought we were in a good position. I then get the 'we wont be needing you temps' call on Monday and am quite scared about the outcome of all this

pmlindyloo

nannytone wrote: »

its all about applicable amounts.
your local LHA rate sets your applicable amount.
as long as you have paid rent in full at your current property for a minimum of 52 weeks, then for the first 13 of your housing benefit claim ... your total rent will be treated as the applicable amount.
the fact that your partner is working doesnt change this, but obviously her wages will be considered when working out how much HB you are entitled to as a couple

I do not believe the part about having to be in the current property for 52 weeks is correct.

There is no mention of this from what I have read.

I believe that it is that you only have to have been able to afford the rent when your tenancy started and you have not claimed HB in the previous 52 weeks.

http://www.homematch.me.uk/index.php/rentals/docs/what-to-do-if-your-tenant-lost-their-job/

In the OP's case the information he has found suggests that his partner should put in the claim (rather than him) as she has not claimed HB in the previous 52 weeks. The partner can claim on the basis of low income.

Am happy to be corrected if I am wrong and would appreciate the link.

Your partner must ask about the 13 week protection as it is not widely publicised.

Ramiriquez

Thanks guys, feeling a bit more positive now. Will see how it goes with my gf and them. I'll update this thread with outcome.

Ramiriquez

We ended up getting 13 week protection so it worked out much better. Application in my partner's name and it went through smoothly enough. Cheers for advice guys