Splitting a joint JSA claim

[vicky87]

Hi all. Just looking for a bit of advice really. Me and my partner have split up. He is moving back to his dads in the next few days and I am looking for somewhere affordable. We currently have a joint claim.

 

When I split from a previous partner, we had just started a joint claim, and I was told that only I had to make a new claim, as he was the main claimant on our joint claim..is this still correct?

 

The reason I ask is because my ex has just completed a security course and is awaiting the funds from the jobcentre for his doorman license..he is guaranteed a job once he has that license so thats why they agreed to get it for him. We are a little worried that if we both have to start new claims, this will mess up his security thing..as it took him ages to get them to pay for it in the first place (if they had done it 6 months ago when asked when he lost his other job, we wouldnt have been on jobseekers for the past 4 months...)

 

As you can probably tell from above, the split is quite friendly, we have just grown apart a lot and arent happy together. I dont wish bad on him, and I know how much he has been wanting this job, otherwise I would just make my own claim and think 'stuff him'

 

He is the main claimant on this claim. So would he have to make a new claim too, or would they just take me off his when I make a new one, and he continues to have his appointments as normal?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[antone]

He should report your separation and his new address to the JCP as a "change of circumstances". He can do this at the Jobcentre by completing form JSA3. Once that's done you can make a claim in your own name.

 

This should not adversely affect his funding for the security licence, but he may wish to ask about that when he goes to report the change.

[vicky87]

Oh right thank you. The problem with asking when he goes to do the form is theres no backing out at that point. Its only going to take a few weeks to sort his license, so although it would be a bit awkward, we could keep the joint claim until then if this has chance to mess up his funding. Though thats not really a good way to go about things. Wanted to do everything right, but I know the system is quite messed up in many ways, seems the right way is not always the best :S

 

Didn't realise he would have to go in to change HIS circumstances before I could make a new claim though. Thats useful, must have changed. That said, it was about 10 years ago last time I did this

[antone]

He doesn't absolutely have to report his change in circs before you claim - that's just the easiest way to do it. I suggested that since you've indicated that the split is amicable, but you could just go ahead and make a claim. However, the JSA payments system won't allow the processors to set up a claim for you while you're named as a partner on his claim, so that matter would need to be sorted in any case.

 

If he's guaranteed a job once he has his SIA licence then the JCP would be rather stupid to withdraw funding they'd previously promised - they are (in theory at least) in the business of getting people into work. I understand why you'd be nervous about this, but I can't advise you to delay reporting a change in circs that affects benefit entitlement.

[vicky87]

He doesn't absolutely have to report his change in circs before you claim - that's just the easiest way to do it. I suggested that since you've indicated that the split is amicable, but you could just go ahead and make a claim. However, the JSA payments system won't allow the processors to set up a claim for you while you're named as a partner on his claim, so that matter would need to be sorted in any case.

If he's guaranteed a job once he has his SIA licence then the JCP would be rather stupid to withdraw funding they'd previously promised - they are (in theory at least) in the business of getting people into work. I understand why you'd be nervous about this, but I can't advise you to delay reporting a change in circs that affects benefit entitlement.

Yeah. He was offered the job (pending license)6 months ago though, a few weeks after losing his previous job. So he has been guaranteed a job for that long. The only reason he got put on the course/badge paid for in the first place is because his advisor changed and this one seemed to actually want to help people back into work.

 

That makes sense about him doing it first. I guess we could maybe go down together, if theres going to be forms for us both to do anyway. Need to go down to tell council he's moving out anyway

 

I don't know. I don't feel we are doing anything wrong in delaying it given that we actually get less money as a couple than we would separately, so technically we are saving the DWP money. But nervous just incase.

 

Thanks for your advice on this matter. Much appreciated. Will have a talk to him in the morning about it.

[antone]

I know what you mean. The reason I strongly suggest you are upfront about things is that couples pretending to split up is quite a common way of committing fraud. Not that I'm suggesting you're doing this, not at all, but it does happen and as such the DWP can sometimes check into situations such as yours. You don't want any suggestion that you haven't kept them fully informed. As long as you tell them everything ASAP you're protected.

[biggeorge]

OMG, How your ex manage to get funding off the DWP for SIA?

I have been unemployed for 6 years now and from day 1 asked for the funding to get my SIA license, 10 years experience in the industry but

left just before they were licensed.

Would have been working at least the last 5 years and would have been cheaper than paying the WP (Ingeus) the £400 fee for me as it said on the sales invoice.

 

All been well though should be self employed by end of January, depending on NEA funding now.

 

George - Gobsmacked at DWP

[vicky87]

Spoke to him about it, we just going to go down tomorrow (if its open) and do it then and hope funding isnt withdrawn as it is best to do everything properly.

 

George, they point blank refused for a while (he asked for his license last time he was unemployed too and was always refused) and then his advisor changed and this new one put him in for it straight away, along with another 3 guys who are on jobseekers. It makes so much more sense for them to put people in for courses and stuff (real courses not government 'training' courses) as most people will get back into wrk a lot faster if they are qualified. I'm sure it costs the jobentre less in the long run to pay £400 or so for a course than pay out JSA for months.

[flumps1976]

The office will be open tomorrow as I'm back to work then too.

Sometimes the courses aren't always offered when requested as the providers may already have places fully allocated and due to nature of the funding for these courses unless there is a firm job offer in writing the Business Managers have no authority to approve the course.

Madness yes it sure is and believe it not just as infuriating for the work coaches.