The Dole- did you know?

Well, I think if you're married, it's not a huge leap to assume that your husband or wife would support you if you're out of work. Also, plenty of people do support families on 16k, and less.

I really hope he gets something soo, Hyacinth ?

I got okayed for Job Seekers but I have paid enough in contributions but it's only till July this year I get it. The OH is on just over £16k and there is only the 2 of us and if I was to get this job tomorrow, I have to pay back some of the allowance depending on when its dated from...

J

You're talking about Jobseekers Allowance - My (newly redundant) H fortunately qualifies for contrubution based JSA but if he doesn't get a job within 6 months (God forbid) then he can't get income based JSA either, because I earn £13.5k. Depressing isn't it, but an excellent motivator for getting back into work!

Can I be really honest? And you know I really, really like you, yes?

Yes I did know. Partner's income will be taken into account for just about every means-tested benefit going, and £16K is, to some people (not me, I must be honest) a decent income. My friend earns about that, for taxable income (she's self employed and declares everything)

I've never got benefits for this reason - I was 16 and pregnant when I tried to get income support or something and was declined as my bf (now H) earnt £17k and the maximum to get anything was £14k (this was 1998). I thought naively that I would be able to get something in my situation.

? Its not that I don't want to support him, massive embarrassment if it came across like that. massive embarrasment!

Its live in partners though, not husband and wife exclusively. I just found that a bit odd, as if the assumption is both are earning enough to cover the other, IYKWIM.

TBH, with the type of people out of work ATM (its seems to be far more middle management and professionals) I'd be surprised if many of them meet that criteria. We wouldn't be able to live on that, unless we had social housing.

Yes, I did know. I found my stint living on benefits was a real eye opener about stuff and haven't ever thought it was an easy life after that.

I was probably wrong about the £14k in 1998n tbh - we were told that at the time but doesn't make sense reqading other people's comments ?

its the assumption I made too, I suppose its just one of those things you are clueless about until you need it.

I just feel a bit, er, I'm not sure really. MrH goes to ask about jobseekers and they have to know all about me, my salary, bonus' etc.. it seems a bit...well, I just assumed I wasn't directly connected to it, hes the one enquiring. I figured that the fact I am supporting him was kind of my business.

It also made me wonder about people in abusive relationships who won't get financial support. But i guess in any benfits situation there are losers.

Another ridiculous rule that encourages people to live apart or at the very least, play the system. Jobseeker's allowance is a good benefit when properly used/monitored and I don't personally object to my taxes paying for it.

I was unemployed for a week once, between contracts, and I rang up about it. They said that as H earned over £14k I wouldn't get anything (IIRC). I was a bit surprised as his salary wouldn't have covered our rent and bills. And we didn't share our money back then, we had our own and paid the same into a joint acct for living stuff.

I didn't even bother signing on but the Nat Ins people went on at me for ages afterwards so I sent them a cheque for about a fiver and they shut up about it.

Does it take into account existing debt? I mean what if the partner earns over £16k but they have other debt or child support or something to pay out of that too?

The other thing that struck me is the very real motivation to earn no more than 16k, so your partner can make up the benefit, which would discourage people from having more education/ training etc.

and the fact that if we had to keep under that we simply would have to go on the housing register- leading to more strain on public finances.

But the more people earn, they tend to buy bigger houses, nicer cars etc. I've just taken a big cut and we are staying in our little first time buyer house, have sold a car and are cutting back. You can live off this if you need to. I used to earn £5 an hour and still paid the rent every month.

You have to get a job and pay your way yourself ?

AFAIK Aji, they didn't ask if I had financial commitments elsewhere. Thats sort of what i mean- what if the assumption that the partner will pay leads to the unemployed person not having any money at all? I wonder if you can apply for special circumstances or something?

The thing is, if there wasn't a cap and partners incomes weren't taken into account, every stay at home parent/spouse in the country could claim income support, housing benefit etc, and be living the life of riley because their partner brings home big dubloons every week.

Innit.

Of course, you're right HH. God it sounds thick but i hadn't even thought about it from that perspective.

Yes, it is a bit of an eyeopener. The bit that really does me in though, is that if you have reasonably good qualifications and are only just uneployed, the jobcentre won't help you. I left uni 6 years ago as a mature student and wasn't entitled to anything as my partner worked, but thought I might get some advice if I signed on. Oh no! I was basically told " Well, we can't really help you". I did find a retail job to tide me over, but I was still surprised they wouldn't help.

I must say I am surprised about the 16K wage limit. Rather restrictive if you're London based, as well as surrounding areas. Does this apply nationwide?

?I hadn't thought of it from the stay at home parent perspective, and I assume if someone was struggling with debt then they would be looking for a job as soon as poss, but just wondered whether it got taken into account, as it almost seems to penalise the partner.

yes, we live in Westminster.

MrB is waiting to claim at the moment and I don't think he qualifies for any benefits because he was self employed. MrB is mainly signing on so that he is able to claim for mortgage insurance if he finds he is out of work in 3 months time.

I'm not sure if people are aware but as a couple you can claim Working Tax Credits. You do not have to have children for this benefit. I think if you earn less than £17,500 joint income per year you qualify. It is in theory an earnings top up.

It's quite scary. I don't work but still have to pay for everything and get no means tested benefits. I don't mind the money thing at all but having to pay for all my prescriptions, dental work etc is pretty tough. It really gets to me as I hate being a dependant but that's exactly what I am. If I was able, I would take any job I could so I could just have some money in my purse that I have earned and could spend without worrying. I desperately want to study but can't afford the £800 a year that OU would cost me. I got it free before I was married and was so appreciative.

I can't complain though as I'm one of the lucky ones as I get £45 a week in Disability Living Allowance and a Motability car.

This is the same for most means-testing, as I found out - before we were married (and legally we did not have financial responsibility vis-a-vis each other) H wasn't entitled to a bursary for his medical degree because he lived with me and I earn too much. I was outraged (cue muttering about what do I pay my taxes for etc)!! ?

I've just finished receiving JSA now i have a new job. My husband earns £14k, and i got the £60.50pw every fortnight

When we first moved to London my H was refused job seekers allowance because, as a PGCE student, I was "earning" more than £8k. That was a £6k grant and a £2,100 student loan. Apparently, loans count as earnings. I was bringing home £667 a month and our rent was £800 a month. He was told he wasn't entitled to anything.