Jobseekers Allowance

pmlindyloo

Girl3245 wrote: »

A little backstory; I'm 23 years old, live with my mum who is a pensioner. We're in a council house, her rent and council tax is paid for her. I did not have to contribute to the rent or council tax because i was at university and thus in fulltime education. I've just graduated, so I'm no longer in education and the amount of rent and council tax deducted for my mum is going to reduce, as I'll be expected to pay.

I'm jobhunting at the moment in order to save up before going back to complete a PGCE and go onto teaching. However, being unemployed i'm expected to pay the rent and council tax.

My question is, do I have to go onto jobseekers in order to maintain the rent and council tax is paid for the house? Or can I tell them i'm unemployed. I'm not comfortable going onto jobseekers until i find a job, because i don't feel i've earnt my right to claim money so easily yet, especially at 23.
I'm wondering if simply telling the council i'm not earning is enough, or do i have to go onto jobseekers to prove this?


I'd just like to reiterate at the bottom as i've had a few obnoxious replies on other posts on this website; this is NOT me saying i don't want a job..i'm looking with no success.

May I just remind you (or rather your mum) to tell the council what is happening as regards you (the non dependant) asap?

They will make a deduction at the highest level if you do not tell them what is happening.

As already said you are far better to claim JSA as this will make everything so much simpler for your mum.

In theory you can not make a claim but the council will take forever to sort it out because they have no proof that you are not working or claiming. In all likelihood they will make the highest deduction for a non dependant and then do the investigation later.

Keep it simple.