Jobseekers Allowance advice

Caffrey82

Hi all, looking for advice. Myself and my ex partner own the house that we are living in with our 2 year old. I cannot afford to move out of the family home, and he cannot move out and afford to contribute towards our mortgage etc. I am on a low job seekers benefit claim and I have asked about job seekers allowance because I should be entitled to a higher rate, however I have been advised that they will means test me based on my ex partners income, despite the fact that we are no longer a couple. What can I do in this situation?

eastbono

Caffrey82 wrote: »

Hi all, looking for advice. Myself and my ex partner own the house that we are living in with our 2 year old. I cannot afford to move out of the family home, and he cannot move out and afford to contribute towards our mortgage etc. I am on a low job seekers benefit claim and I have asked about job seekers allowance because I should be entitled to a higher rate, however I have been advised that they will means test me based on my ex partners income, despite the fact that we are no longer a couple. What can I do in this situation?

You can apply for jobseekers allowance. In this situation a social welfare inspector would have to investigate to determine if you continue to co-habit. SW are seeing a lot more cases of couples still living in the same house because neither can afford to move out. The only problem I can foresee is that if he is paying the morgtage then this is technically him paying maintenance per sw guidelines and will be assessed as means.

Caffrey82

We split the bills right down the middle so he is not paying 'maintainence', it's our obligation to pay the bills because both our names are on the mortgage, insurances and utilities etc. So could I argue on those grounds? Or what if I moved to my mothers? Though in that case I still have contracted responsibilities for the mortgage etc

eastbono

My advice would be to push your local office into having your case investigated by a sw inspector and explain your position to them and see what comes out of it. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain. If your local office decide to do your means within the office and assess your ex partners earnings as means against your claim then appeal it straight away. I know it will take time but you will have to appeal. The other thing you can do as your are on reduced rate jsb is apply to you community welfare officer for a top up on supplementary welfare allowance and see what they will make of your current living arrangements.

Caffrey82

I'll give it a go.. I'm exhausted trying to find out answers to these questions. The social welfare are not forthcoming with info Also applying for back to education for sept coming, so it's important I sort this now as btea match your jobseekers payment and I cannot live in €120 a week with all my bills and a 2 year old.