JSA Help Please

left-right

I have been jobless for the past four months or so living on savings, but the time has come that I need to sign on. I have moved home with my parents in this time which is helping a great deal.

Is my chance of JSA affected by my parents income (none of which I see really)? Hopefully someone can provide me with this information... thanks!

dmg24

Hi left-right,

No, your JSA will not be affected by your parents income.

Good luck with your job search, and welcome to MSE! x

left-right

Ok thanks for that. Will be on the phone to them shortly!!

Triad

Hi, I was claiming jobseeker's allowance when I lived with my mother, yet now that I've moved in with my girlfriend apparently I'm no longer entitled to it?! My girlfriend works more than 24 hours a week and that is the reason apparently why I am no longer entitled.

This seems a little odd when I am now having to pay all the bills when I did not have to before. I am also disabled and my girlfriend cannot really support the both of us with her pay, but yet I am expected to sign on every 2 weeks to pay my national insurance. I also live 16 miles away from the job centre and so cannot afford to travel there every 2 weeks, let alone afford rent and bills.

Does this not seem a bit unfair when I'm genuinely trying to get a job and there are foreigners coming here getting benefits for their children in other countries?

seven-day-weekend

Triad, it is because you are being classed as a couple whereas when you lived with your mother you were classed as single.

As your partner is working, and income-based JSA is a means-tested benefit, she is supposed to keep you as your income as a couple is more than the state says you need to live on.

If you are disabled, have you tried to apply for DLA? This is a non-means tested benefit.

Also as a couple you may be eligible for Council Tax Benefit, and if you are renting, Housing Benefit.

(FYI, Martin says benefits policy (your remark about unfairness) must be discussed in Discussion Time, not on the benefits board, which exists to help people get the benefits they are entitled to.)
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=365935