Income Support

[Muz]

Hi,

I have been married to a British Citizen for nearly 4 years. I could not apply for an ILR at the end of the first 2 years of my Spouse Visa, this was because I did not know in time that a Living in the UK test was needed and I was 2 days away from the expiry of my spouse visa. I applied for another 2 years spouse visa instead and was granted one without any problem.

I am thinking of applying for the ILR soon. However my financial circumstances have changed. I have lost my IT contract and I have no other source of income.

My wife is now Claiming
1. Council Tax Credit (In her name only)
2. Child Tax Credit (Joint Name) £42 pcm
3. Child Benefit £80 pcm


My wife wants to claim Income Support & Working Tax Credit, are we allowed.

Please advise.

Also will this have any consequences on my ILR application when I make it. I am looking for work and I am making some progress and things should hopefull be back to normal in 3 to 4 months.

[mochyn]

Hi,

I have been married to a British Citizen for nearly 4 years. I could not apply for an ILR at the end of the first 2 years of my Spouse Visa, this was because I did not know in time that a Living in the UK test was needed and I was 2 days away from the expiry of my spouse visa. I applied for another 2 years spouse visa instead and was granted one without any problem.

I am thinking of applying for the ILR soon. However my financial circumstances have changed. I have lost my IT contract and I have no other source of income.

My wife is now Claiming
1. Council Tax Credit (In her name only)
2. Child Tax Credit (Joint Name) £42 pcm
3. Child Benefit £80 pcm


My wife wants to claim Income Support & Working Tax Credit, are we allowed.

Please advise.

Also will this have any consequences on my ILR application when I make it. I am looking for work and I am making some progress and things should hopefull be back to normal in 3 to 4 months.

Why is she looking for income support?
I would think that she could make a claim for Jobseekers allowance but she should check with the DWP.
As she is a British Citizen she is entitled to benefits and her entitlement has no consequences to you making ILR application

[Muz]

My wife is not entitled for Job Seekers Contribution Allowance as she has not enough NI Contributions.

She has been informed she is not entitled to Income Based Allowance as I am self employed IT Contractor, they are not taking into account I have no work at the moment. They are going by how much I earned in the past 10 months.


I have always worked since I have been on a Spouse Visa, however circumstances have got worse financially since Christmas. I am confident things will improve. Is Income Support the only way to get some help.

[John]

My wife wants to claim Income Support & Working Tax Credit, are we allowed.

Well no, and this does not just apply to you, it is impossible for anyone to claim both Income Support and Working Tax Credits at the same time.

How many hours per week does your wife work?

[Muz]

Thanks for your reply John.


My wife is looking for work and has been unsuccessful so far.

The only income we have is

1) £80 Child Benefit
2) £42 Child Tax Credit
3) We have borrowed funds from family.
4) the council has given us Council Tax Credit(My wife made sure it was in her name only)
5) We are paying a fraction of our mortgage cost as we can't afford to pay the whole of it. We have been paying regularly without default for almost 3 years now. We have also completed an MI12 form, we have been advised it can take 12 to 13 weeks.

Your advice will be much appreciated

[bagula_bhagat]

Its unjustice.

[John]

Muz, your 2nd 2-year spouse visa, it is not just about to expire, is it? Why not delay the ILR application until either your or your wife, or both, are working again.

That is, the ILR application is expensive. Why not wait until an area of concern has been eradicated?

You have passed the Life in the UK Citizenship test now?

[Muz]

Hi John,

Apologies for the late reply. We have been trying very hard to get some work. I believe in 2 months time things could improve.

Now about your questions
Muz, your 2nd 2-year spouse visa, it is not just about to expire, is it? Why not delay the ILR application until either your or your wife, or both, are working again.

Yes, it expires in November 2010. I do not mind delaying it until things get better.

That is, the ILR application is expensive. Why not wait until an area of concern has been eradicated?
I am prepared to wait until the situation improves.

You have passed the Life in the UK Citizenship test now?
Yes, I did 3 or 4 months ago.

I wanted to know if my wife is allowed to apply for Income Support.
Can you please let me know, Income support would really help us to some situation.

I will greatly appreciate your help.

[Tim555]

My wife wants to claim Income Support & Working Tax Credit, are we allowed.

Well no, and this does not just apply to you, it is impossible for anyone to claim both Income Support and Working Tax Credits at the same time.

How many hours per week does your wife work?

I agree with John's comment. Just an addition.

If you are working in uk and geting low income than you can apply working tax credit.

If you are unemployed than you can apply income support ( or job seeker allowance ).

Regards,