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Original poster

Am i eligible for sure start ?

26 replies

hedwiggity · 17/05/2014 22:56

I have an OH that works 48-50hrs a week we don't receive any benefit apart from my JSA would we be eligible for sure start ?

OP posts:
Rockchick1984 · 18/05/2014 11:20

Depends how much he earns - what's his annual income before tax? Are you getting income based JSA or contributions based?

Babyroobs · 18/05/2014 15:35

How come you are getting JSA with a working partner, I'm assuming it must be contributions based?

gamerchick · 18/05/2014 15:40

How are you getting jsa when your partner works those hours?

Original poster
hedwiggity · 18/05/2014 16:02

Because they are his hours not mine and its his job not mine i have my own bills to pay and contribute towards so i get JSA while looking for a job Confused i think it is contribution based i'm not sure though when we do have a child we will be joint by that child so i think sure start will count OH income as too much even though its a pittance to live on after the tax man has nicked over half of it

OP posts:
Cookiechef · 18/05/2014 16:06

Have you double checked you are entitled as my partner works 24 hours aweek and we are not entitled to jsa as he is working and we are a couple, you may need to double check but I'm sure the the vouchers are only for households with an income of under 16000 a year.

gamerchick · 18/05/2014 16:10

No I'm not entitled either as my bloke works. He's expected to support me until I find a job.

Cookiechef · 18/05/2014 16:12

This is off the goverment website

  1. Eligibility
To get Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) you must:

be 18 or over but below State Pension age - there are some exceptions if you’re 16 or 17
not be in full-time education
be in England, Scotland or Wales
be able and available for work
be actively seeking work
work on average less than 16 hours a week
go to a JSA interview
Also, to get income-based JSA you (and your partner if you have one):

must usually work less than 24 hours a week (on average)
must have £16,000 or less in savings

Original poster
hedwiggity · 18/05/2014 16:22

I have 0 savings i am actively seeking work i attend job interviews and all my jobseeker appointments i provide evidence of applying for at least 50 jobs a week and im 20.

OP posts:
Original poster
hedwiggity · 18/05/2014 16:25

My JSA must not be income based then its the contribution based one. and Jobcentre have never asked me if i am single or in a relationship why should they ? this is 2014 not 1957 i need to pay my own bills and my own rent im not some little housewife sitting at home eagerly waiting for my OH to give me my weekly pocket money.

OP posts:
Cookiechef · 18/05/2014 16:25

It's says if you have a partner working over 24 hours that you are not entitled to jsa, I'm not having a go or anything I'm just giving you a heads up as you are committing benefit fraud which they take seriously now my best friend has just been giving a community order under the same circumstances.

Original poster
hedwiggity · 18/05/2014 16:27

How am i committing benefit fraud Oh has his job and pays his rent i pay my rent and my own bills Confused

OP posts:
Cookiechef · 18/05/2014 16:27

The eligibility is for both types of jsa.

Cookiechef · 18/05/2014 16:28

Is is classed as benefit fraud as you are a couple which means is he works more than 24 hours a week therefor you are not entitled to jsa and it is classed as benefit fraud.

gamerchick · 18/05/2014 16:30

So you don't live together then? Because if you do its your job to tell them that.

passmethewineplease · 18/05/2014 16:30

Hedwiggity, do you live together?

Cookiechef · 18/05/2014 16:30

It's the way they work it unless you are single they need to know about his income and hours for all benefits except carers allowance, if you don't tell them therefore they are paying you money you would not be entitled to they can take you to court or have you pay it back.

Original poster
hedwiggity · 18/05/2014 16:32

No we don't live together but we plan on living together soon

OP posts:
Cookiechef · 18/05/2014 16:33

Ok I take back what I say but when you do live together your jsa will stop as you will be classed as a couple.

nomorequotes · 18/05/2014 16:35

if you are single I.E living apart, not sharing a postal address and paying all bills separately then you are eligible for sure start. If he is living with you (regardless of who pays what portion of the rent) then you are committing benefit fraud and need to stop.

If his plan is to move in with you then you might be better off waiting until the baby is born to make arrangements as then you will be eligible to receive the sure start grant.

Cabrinha · 18/05/2014 20:54

Why is he losing over half of his salary in tax?
That doesn't happen.
Especially not if it's a low salary - which I presume it is as you say it is a pittance.
Is he on an emergency tax code? (Even then he wouldn't lose half)
You need to look into that - or rather he does.

Cabrinha · 18/05/2014 20:58

It sounds like you're not actually pregnant? But sussing out the finances if you decide to have a baby?
First you need to sort out this issue about his tax.
Then you need to work out what your income would be as a couple living together, with a baby. Then you can decide if you can afford to TTC yet. Tbh, the Sure Start grant is just a one off payment, so I think it's more important to look at your joint income going forward rather than looking at a once only payment.

I also think you should consider living together before you TTC - I don't think a relationship is properly tested if you haven't!

Original poster
hedwiggity · 18/05/2014 23:41

he earns 19K but only has just under 15K to live on after tax and benefits like sure start grant if always based on before tax salary

OP posts:
Cookiechef · 19/05/2014 01:56

Nearly all benefits are based on what your earn before tax comes off, unless you apply for the sure start before you live together and after your 29 weeks pregnant you won't be eligible. The money that the sure start grant doesn't actually cover much off the essentials that are needed for a new born if your not pregnant yet you should try have a job first so that you will be entitled to maternity pay so you have your own income while home with the baby.
There are other benefits that help people on low incomes like child benefit and child tax credits but they are not 100 percent guaranteed income.

hixchix · 19/05/2014 02:02

I dont think you'd be eligable tbh and when you live together you will have to delcare it and you wont get a penny so he'll have to support to you. Hope this helps Smile

Cabrinha · 19/05/2014 21:52

Right, so he's paying the right amount of tax.
That is to say, about 17% of his salary.
So - nothing like "over half of it" then.
You realise that it's taxes that go towards paying Sure Start grants, not the money tree, right?

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