Can you claim back your bus fares?

Can I claim more than jobseekers?

• I have just recently lost my job, the company I worked for have just gone under and for the first time in 5 years I am jobless. I recently moved back into my mums house because of a few problems and I pay her £50 a week to live here. I have a phone contract with over a year left and internet and house phone with just under a year left which come to £60 per month too. My mum lived on her own so the council tax went up by £35 a month too. One of my friends told me job seekers is £48 per week which does leave a problem. I know they wont care about my phone contract etc which is understandable but I cant even cover the rent where I live. I know its my mums house but I am 23 and could just as easily be a lodger anywhere. I would be in a tricky situation where I would want to give my mum as much as possible but still use the money for bus fares to interviews, stamps for CV posting etc because I don't intend to be out of a job long. Some vital information you might need; I'm 23 Worked for the last 5 years full time Was on job seekers for 6 weeks 5 years ago My mum works full time and doesn't claim anything I have a tenants contract with her to say my rent is £50 per week I spent 3 months on housing benefits to top up my wage when my partner left to the sum total of £120 per month (but decided to just move back to my mums)

• Answer:

  Hi I have worked in benefits for several years, unfortunately you cannot calim anything other than what you are already claiming, you cannot claim housing benefit if you landlord is a close relative. what you CAN do, or what your mum can do, is go to the local councils housing benefit section and ask to claim a second adult rebate. When a person lives on their own they get a 25% discount on their council tax, when another adult moves in the 25% discount is taken away, however if that person is not a partner or lodger as you are neither and is on a low income or benefits, you can claim back the 25% extra that your mum pays based on your income. The claim will need to be made in your mums name but with your income details, as you are on benefits your mum would qualify for a 25% discount meaning she will no longer have to pay the extra £35 a month