My client is a single parent who has recently finished work to become a carer for her grandad. She lives in a privately rented property.
She has an arrangement with her ex (which was set up by a solicitor) whereby the rent of the home is in his name and he pays £240 every 4 weeks towards the total rent of £485. He has now voluntarily increased this to £300.
She has applied for Carer's allowance and income support. She was told by the Jobcentre that 'non-compliance with CSA' results in a 40% disregard from the personal allowance, leaving no entitlement to IS. She was persuaded to withdraw her claim for income support at the interview stage so this has not been looked at by a decision maker.
She does not wish to alter the arrangement regarding rent and does not wish to go to the CSA.
How should this money be regarded when assessing her claim? She is now putting in a new claim so that we can get a proper decision.
And then there is the problem of the rent shortfall of £185...
Hope someone can help!