PhD student, can unemployed partner claim JSA?

Noctu

Hi there,
I'm about to become a full time PhD student with a studentship of approx £13,500 tax free p/a (and no fees to pay). This will be my income for the next three years.

My OH is currently employed full time however redundancy is looming.

If he loses his job, would he be able to claim JSA, Council Tax Benefit, or would our household income be too much? I wasn't sure if my student income would count 'properly' as income and entitledto.org won't calculate anything for students.

Hope someone can shed any light on this thanks :T

Indie_Kid

Your partner may get contributions based if your income is too high.

HRV

My brother is currently in this situation. His gf is a Phd student on a similar wage to what you are on- my bro hasn't managed to secure a permanent job yet (did get some xmas work) since finishing his studies. He is claiming contributions based JSA (as he worked for some years before doing his masters) but not council tax/housing benefit

PasturesNew

£13,500 tax free is equivalent to £17,000 and taxed, I've no idea, but that sounds quite 'enough' to me such that should he be on Income-Based JSA they might say "too much, so no". But, as I said, I've no idea.

clairec79

council tax may get 25% for a full time student and he should get contribution based JSA if he's been working the last two tax years

aside from that nothing

Noctu

Thanks for your replies, much appreciated