housing benefit

[numan]

Hi all

Please forgive me if this is an old question or in the wrong place.

I am a diabetic of 17 years and have developed peripheral neuropathy which makes me incapable of doing much at all never mind my heavy former job. The trouble is that after claiming ESA I was deemed fit to work after ATOS medical hence the JSA question

 

I recieve £15 weekly JSA, if i were to stop signing on would it affect my family

 

my wife works 16 hours so we are entitled to housing benefit but the jobcentre said that if i lose my JSA i will also lose housing benefit.

 

numan

[Nystagmite]

Income based JSA gives you automatic entitlement to housing benefit. You don't need to be receiving income based benefits to receive housing benefit.

[leemack]

Yes as nystagmite says, you were advised wrongly, if you stop claiming income based JSA, all you would need to do is inform the council of the change and provide details of your household income and savings and your claim will be reassessed on that basis.

 

Also if your wife is working 16 hours a week you may qualify for working tax credits as a couple (dependant on age and other circumstances).

Edited May 30, 2011 by leemack

[numan]

Thank you both for your speedy and informative input.