out of work builder

[davycrocket]

following advise from this website, I decided to " sign on " claiming job seekers allowance. i did this on line last week and yesterday ( saturday) had a 30 minute phone application with a job seekers advisor. i informed the advisor that my wife is on incapacity benifit and unable to work.
However at the end of the interview I was told the application would be a joint one for both myself and my wife. If my wife is unable to work, why would they expect her to be included in a joint application.

Advise Please

[huggys boss]

My OH is on incapacity benefit along with a few other disability benefits, and within his claim he get £6.75 a week income support for me. I also receive carers allowance because he is unable to work.

Do you claim carers allowance for your wife? It is worth looking into.

I think (But I might be wrong, as my OH says I quite often am) that because you are married, the benefits office have to class your claim as a joint claim.

Did they say whether you applying for JSA would effect your wife's IB?

It may be worth you speaking to the CAB or your local welfare rights officer and they will be able to tell you exactly what you are entitled to.

Have you made a claim for any housing/council tax benefit you may be entitled to?

[davycrocket]

Hi Huggys Boss,

Thanks for reply.
Going off information received, the most I can get is £60:50 and i am hoping to get help with council tax. What I am concerned about is will they stop her incapacity benifit

[Sarah_Pussycat]

It depends if you're claiming income based or contribution based JSA - if it's contribution based it's just for you ad shouldn't affect your wife's incapacity benefit.

The £60.50 is the single person's rate - if you claimed for your wife as well you'd get the couple rate which is higher than that (although I can't remember what it is at the moment!)

You should get full council tax benefit if neither of you are working.

Also, about the carer's allowance - you could only get this if your wife is getting DLA (higher care rate)