INCOME SUPPORT OR JOBSEEKER'S ALLOWANCE?

People claiming Jobseeker's Allowance do so because they are unemployed and looking for a job or training placement. They have to 'sign on' and show that they are 'available for' and 'actively seeking' work.

You DON'T have to sign on and be available for work to get benefit if, for example:

  • you are a single parent or caring for someone else
  • you are sick and unable to work
    See: disability & sickness benefits
  • you have a disability and are unable to work
    See: disability & sickness benefits
  • you are under 20 and in ‘relevant’ education (e.g. doing A levels or up to NVQ level 3) or in ‘approved’ training (e.g. an E2E scheme). You must fit into a specified group. If you are 19 your 19th birthday must have been on or after 10th April 2006 and you must have started your course or training before your 19th birthday. You may also get an ema.
  • you are under 19, and are in 'relevant education' but e.g. you cannot live at home because you are estranged from your parents, or your parents cannot look after you See: IS if you are 16-19 or JSA if you are 16 or 17
  • you are a disabled student or single parent student age 16 or over See: IS if you are 16-19 or JSA if you are 16 or 17
  • you are pregnant (from 11 weeks before the baby is due until 15 weeks after it is born)

In these cases you may be able to get Income Support. This is not a full list, and you should get advice if you think you might be able to claim.

If you are not eligible for Income Support then you will need to claim Jobseeker's Allowance and fulfil the conditions.

WHAT WILL AFFECT YOUR CLAIM?

Your age will affect how much money you get - people under 25 get less that those 25+, whilst people under 18 may get even less.

If you are under 20 you are assumed to be the responsibility of your parents or guardian if you are still in education or on unwaged training. You may be able to claim benefits in certain circumstances - usually Income Support. If you are not in education or training you can claim as an independent adult at 18.

If you are under 16 - you can't claim benefits for yourself; your parents/ guardian should claim for you. If you are under 16 and have left home or runaway, see here for possible sources of help.

If you have a partner and are claiming Contributory JSA then you can both claim separately (see below). If you are both claiming Income Support then one of you will claim for both. Couples without children where one or both of you was born after 28.10.57 and is over 18 will have to claim JSA jointly, meaning you will both have to sign on and will both have to be actively seeking work etc.

Your benefit will be affected if you are married or living with someone as if you were married - i.e. 'cohabiting'. There is no simple definition of cohabiting. Same-sex couples are trated in the same way as opposite-sex couples. If you are single, but are being treated as a couple because you live with someone else, get advice.

There are extra rules if one of you is under 18 - get advice.

See Tax Credits for getting extra money if you have children.