Benefit Advice Please!

[Sonicgal]

I currently get income support for a long term health condition because I am unable to work, I also get 100% Housing and council tax benefit for my flat, my boyfriend was recently was made redundant and claims JSA (income based) whilst he looks for another job. He would like to move in with me as he is unhappy where he currently lives.

My question is if we claim as a couple would I still get my Income support or would we just get the couple rate of JSA? Funds are so tight as it is, I don't want to be worse off than I am now.

Any advice welcomed

[pink-kittens]

If you are on long term sick unemployment surely you don't just get income support but some sort of disability payments?

Did your boyfy get any redundancy payout?

[bigmamma]

Do you get statutary sick pay as well as income support , or perhaps incapacity benefit , if you are sick is this a long term or is it a permanent illness ?

[DONNAKEBABUK]

You would have to claim as a couple and you would be worse off hun.

Also, I wouldnt take the risk of claiming separately or even your boyfriend moving in when he gets a job unless it will be to keep you all, i.e. pay your rent, Council Tax etc. It isnt worth it. One of my Tenants got caught and placed on a tag for this. Housing Benefit claimed ALL the monies back from ME since it was being paid to me for a short period of time. It was a NIGHTMARE for her as well as me.

Good Luck.

Take Care.

katie. x

[Sonicgal]

Thanks for the answers.

I don't get sick pay, or any DLA money, just income support, the basic rate of �59 and a disability premium of �26 because I have been unable to work for more than a year. My boyfriend did get some redundancy but has used it to continue paying a car loan he took out just before he lost his job, its all gone now and all but �13 of his JSA is taken up paying for that each month.

I don't want to commit fraud, I want it all above board but it certainly looks like we would be worse off, which just can't happen as I really struggle to make ends meet now.

Do you think I am claiming all I am entitled too? Maybe I should see the CAB?

Thank you for your kind words Katie, I'm sorry that happened to you, must have been a nightmare!

[themas]

You'll certainly be worse off if you get together. I think the only other benefit you might be able to look into is DLA. Even if you have already claimed and been turned down there is nothing to stop you claiming again if your condition has worsened.

The CAB should do a benefit check for you and help with a claim if necessary.

[ethanryan]

you would def be worse off. i was on income support for a while and had full housing benefir. as soon as you claim with your partner you lose full housing and you have to pay most of your council tax. if you are only moving him in cause he isnt happy where he is then tell him to move somewhere else.