No income support due to partner's savings?

tpk92

Hello, I'm new to this so point me in the right direction if this is not the right place to be asking.
I have recently left university on a TSS (Temp suspension of studies), which means I won't be getting student finance for the next few months to support me.

I applied for JSA, Housing benefit and Council tax reduction, but got a phone call today informing me that I am not entitled to any money due to the fact my GF (who I live with) works over 24 hours weekly and has savings over £16,000.
My rent is due very soon and I'm not quite sure what to do if this is the case, am I meant to just ask her to lend me money until I find a job? I hate asking people for money and her money is savings she received from her mother's place of work, after she suddenly died last year.

Something just doesn't seem right about having to rely on people to bail me out, just because I live with them.

BorisThomson

You're a couple, you're expected to support each other in times of difficulty.

Are you registered with recruitment agencies? Let them know you're free to take any work and at short notice. Hopefully they'll be able to find you something quickly.

marliepanda

Your rent isn't due soon 'YOUR' (plural) rent is due soon, the rent of you and your girlfriend.

So yes, she will be expected to pay for your rent and council tax and whatever else.

Caz3121

tpk92 wrote: »

Something just doesn't seem right about having to rely on people to bail me out, just because I live with them.

it is what people in a relationship do...my husband as ill a few years ago and did not work for over a year. As he had been working and paid sufficient NI contributions he received contribution based ESA for 6 months then nothing...no help at any time with rent/CT etc as I worked more than 24 hours (no savings)
Have you anything you can sell to raise some money whilst looking for work?

Mojisola

tpk92 wrote: »

I applied for JSA, Housing benefit and Council tax reduction, but got a phone call today informing me that I am not entitled to any money due to the fact my GF (who I live with) works over 24 hours weekly and has savings over £16,000.

Something just doesn't seem right about having to rely on people to bail me out, just because I live with them.

You aren't expected to rely on your GF because you live with her but because you are in a relationship.

If you were living with someone who was just a flatmate, you would be able to claim benefits.

TELLIT01

All Income Related benefits look at the monies available to a couple as a whole, not just the income / savings of the person making the claim. The fact that your partner works 24 hours per week or above prevents you claiming Income Related JSA anyway, the savings of over £16k would also prevent the claim even if she was working less than 24 hours.
No matter how tempting it may seem to go back to the various authorities and try to say now that you aren't a couple, you just house share, it would be extremely inadvisable as it would be fraud.