Unemployment

[shellmarie]

I have a question about unemployment. My husband was laid off today and I'm applying for my settlement visa, in person, on the 14th of August. Is he allowed to collect unemployment or will that be against the rules? I still work full time, but only make about 800-900 a month. We could try to hold off until I apply for my visa.

He has also, been off work the past two weeks with a bad back and I suspect that was why he was included in the lay off. He has worked the same job for over three years and will get his last pay slip next Friday.

I'm not sure if he is allowed to collect unemployment or if the Border Angency would frown upon it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[2farapart]

You'll be considered under the old rules and I imagine your husband's job seeker's allowance will also count because it's an entitlement rather than means-tested (ie he would get this benefit regardless of any other income coming into the household and so is not indicative of someone needing public funds in order to get by). What wouldn't be permitted is you claiming any public funds (which you're not); job seeker's allowance is only paid to an individual and doesn't cover you or any family dependents, so technically you're not benefitting from it personally. As a couple, I believe it should count towards your current available income until your husband is able to secure another job.

If he's accompanying you in persion at your appointment, he will be able to explain (if asked) that he was recently made redundant and is now looking for new employment. The fact you were both working until recently will hopefully buid a picture of the two of you supporting yourselves and that this is a blip in an otherwise fine track record.

[shellmarie]

Thanks for responding. I've been unsure of what will happen because of this. I am applying in person and my husband will be coming with me. I hope they do take into account that we have supported ourselves up until now and we still intend to. I don't know if it will help, but my parents have offered to help make up the difference in any expenses until my husband finds a new job. Although, I'm not sure if help from outside the UK will count.

[Joppa]

I think you need to have enough in current income, savings and support from a UK resident to meet the old minimum maintenance requirement of £111.45 a week after housing costs. Your income can be taken into account, so bring along evidence of that, plus any redundancy payment your husband is getting. I'm afraid help from your US parents isn't admissible.

[shellmarie]

Originally Posted by Joppa

I think you need to have enough in current income, savings and support from a UK resident to meet the old minimum maintenance requirement of £111.45 a week after housing costs. Your income can be taken into account, so bring along evidence of that, plus any redundancy payment your husband is getting. I'm afraid help from your US parents isn't admissible.

Ok. Thanks. My husband unfortunately has been working through an agency and was never officially hired on to the company he worked for, so he is not getting any redundancy money. He is not going to collect any jobseeker's allowance, because we don't want to take any chances. His mother, a UK resident, has offered to help as well, so I'll ask her to provide her financial details and a letter of intent to do so. Fingers crossed this is enough.