Income Support help please....

enigmam

Hello

Sorry if this is in the wrong board, it's a minefield

My brother has been unemployed for some time (six months or more), and receiving JSA and housing benefit. He's now hopefully got a job lined up which will start in the next couple of weeks.

Today he received a letter regarding housing benefit which mentioned something about he's not claiming income support, which surprised him as he's never heard of it.

To cut a long story short, I've googled and apparently there are ways in which to backdate his claim. He's desparate to backdate it, as:

1. He's got no money whatsoever
2. He's paid alot in for 20 years during the good times, and now believes that it's only fair he gets what he's entilted to in the bad times.
3. He's being evicted for rent arrears, so a lump sum would be very handy.

Does anyone have any advice on how he would be able to backdate his claim sucessfully? Not knowing about something is not a valid reason, and I think it's a little unfair since he paid so much tax and NI for the 20 years before he became unemployed.

Any help/advice/abuse would be much appreciated, as he is in desparate need.

Thank you

[Deleted User]

I/S is a means tested benefit,so there could be reasons why he wouldnt have qualified for it,although from what you outline that seems unlikely.
His only course of action is to contact the JC+ office that is handling/has handled his claim,something about 3 months backdating springs to mind but i`m not sure in a case like this.
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_015271.xml.html

dmg24

Can you give us more information enigmam?

Is your brother single?

If not, what other income does the household have?

Does he have a disability?

Was he on contributions or income based JSA?

enigmam

Thank for the replies.

As far as I am aware, he would have qualified as soon as he became unemployed. He has no savings, income or anything which I would imagine would mean that he wouldn't qualify, although I'm lucky enough to have not needed benefits yet (touch wood) , so I don't know an awful lot about it.

He's single, no other household income, no disability, and not sure about the JSA question I'm afraid. But thanks for the contributions so far


Thanks for the link - after reading it though I'm more confused than ever it says "It is for people who don't have to sign on as unemployed.", but I think he does have to sign on.

I'm sorry, I'm confusing myself now

dmg24

If he has been receiving the full amount of JSA, then as a single person, he would not be entitled to IS.

Sorry x