How will working affect my flatmate?

Roryh

Hi I live with a flatmate. We are not partners and we aren't seen as partners according to the Job office.

Both of us are on benefits at the minute and they are separate. The thing is I have a chance of a job coming up. I will not be able to move out during the job as it is a temporary job for six months so I don't know if I am getting an extension and therefore will end up being in a !!!!!! situation.

I will be able to pay the full rent of the Housing Association flat. I currently pay £30 a fortnight in rent but will be paying £90 when I work.

Now the problem is that if I do go into this job, how will this affect my flatmate's jobseekers?

HappyMJ

It won't. You are two households living under the one roof. They will still get housing benefit for their portion of the rent...I'm assuming 50% of the full rent is still due by them. They will also still get the full amount of single persons JSA. What you might lose is the council tax reduction. You could get a 25% discount for having a second adult not dependant on you living in the house with no income but you'll need to check with your council as each are different.

Roryh

Thanks happymj. I don't mind paying the full rent myself but his half of the rent is paid by the housing. Either way I am fine.

I was just worried that his money would be affected.

Londonsu

If they are only your flatmate and not your partner then there is no reason for their JSA to be affected, the only way income based JSA can be reduced or stopped all together is when one half of a couple is working and the 'household' income takes them over the amount the law says a couple needs to live on, contribution based JSA will not be affected by household income As long as you have no financial ties and can prove that you should be ok, bear in mind though the DWP has every right to investigate if they DO think you are a couple.


I am not sure about HB, I would imagine your flatmate gets HB for their part of the rent and your £90 a fortnight is for your half of the rent, if that's the case then their HB should not be affected, but someone with more information then me might be able help more with that.


sorry crossed post with happymj

Roryh

Londonsu wrote: »

If they are only your flatmate and not your partner then there is no reason for their JSA to be affected, the only way income based JSA can be reduced or stopped all together is when one half of a couple is working and the 'household' income takes them over the amount the law says a couple needs to live on, contribution based JSA will not be affected by household income As long as you have no financial ties and can prove that you should be ok, bear in mind though the DWP has every right to investigate if they DO think you are a couple.


I am not sure about HB, I would imagine your flatmate gets HB for their part of the rent and your £90 a fortnight is for your half of the rent, if that's the case then their HB should not be affected, but someone with more information then me might be able help more with that.


sorry crossed post with happymj

Thanks for the info. When I moved in with him we done the test to see whether or not we were a couple but we passed and I am classed as a non dependent and homeless I found out.

dippy3103

Are you a non dep on his claim then? If that's the case then your rent contribution will increase & he will need to tell HB that you have started work.
If you do have your own HB claim to pay your half of the rent then your HB will need adjusting and you need to tell them.

Hope the job works out

missbiggles1

Roryh wrote: »

Thanks happymj. I don't mind paying the full rent myself but his half of the rent is paid by the housing. Either way I am fine.

I was just worried that his money would be affected.

That sounds a bit odd if you're just flatmates.

nannytone_2

i agree with the above.
do you have a point tenancy?
if not, then you are only a lodger and would be renting a room from your friend.
he still has liability for the whole rent and a non dependant deduction will be calculated according to your income.