Working whilst on income support

bwals92

I'm at my second year of college, living with my girlfriend, claiming income support, housing benefit and council tax exception. My girlfriend is seeking work, but JCP decided to leave her on my Income support claim whilst she finds work.

I got a call today, and was asked to attend an interview for a weekend job (no more than 15 hours per week, and on minimum wage for 18 year old), which I could do alongside college.

How would this affect my claims?

Fiver29

Under what basis is your girlfriend claiming IS?

AnxiousMum

Not sure about how it would affect your claims, but you could get a 'better off' statement I think from the job centre.

Ultimately though, it will give you a part time job and a bit of independence

merlin68

Most full-time students can’t claim income-related benefits but you may be able to claim if you:

• are a single parent
• have a partner who is also a student - and one or both of you are responsible for a child
• have a disability, and qualify for the disability premium, severe disability premium or income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Do any of these apply to you. If so they shouldn't be pushing you into work.

bwals92

Fiver29 wrote: »

Under what basis is your girlfriend claiming IS?

We were both full time students to begin with, then she left college, and started looking for work (but without any luck), the DWP decided that it would be easier for her to stay on my claim rather than claim JSA. (The letter explaining this also said she may be asked to attend 'work...something.....interviews').

AnxiousMum wrote: »

Not sure about how it would affect your claims, but you could get a 'better off' statement I think from the job centre.

Ultimately though, it will give you a part time job and a bit of independence

Haha, see, this is why I wanted to get a job.

merlin68 wrote: »

Most full-time students can’t claim income-related benefits but you may be able to claim if you:

• are a single parent
• have a partner who is also a student - and one or both of you are responsible for a child
• have a disability, and qualify for the disability premium, severe disability premium or income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Do any of these apply to you. If so they shouldn't be pushing you into work.

I want to work, as the amount we're living on now is too low - we didn't even have a christmas last year . But, no, none of these apply.

---

Would it be sensible to call the DWP and ask them myself?

merlin68

Then you shouldn't be claiming anything. I didn't think students could claim anyway.

bwals92

merlin68 wrote: »

Then you shouldn't be claiming anything. I didn't think students could claim anyway.

I was referred to the JCP by the local council and citizens advice.

Usually, students in full time education aren't entitled to income support, but there are some exceptions (not just those that you have listed).

LL30

bwals92 wrote: »

I was referred to the JCP by the local council and citizens advice.

Usually, students in full time education aren't entitled to income support, but there are some exceptions (not just those that you have listed).

I'm intrigued - what are these?

BrettMorganxD

LL30 wrote: »

I'm intrigued - what are these?

If he and his girlfriend where kicked out by his/her parents and couldn't return, he would be entitled to income support if he was in full-time education. This is also one of the reasons you can claim JSA at 16-17 (if ur not in FT ed)

He did state he was reffered by council

bwals92

A quick update, I was offered the job at 11 hour per week. I don't know the rate of pay, but I contacted the DWP and they said that from anything I do earn, £10 is disregarded and the rest is minused from my income support. Which - ultimately - means I would be working 11 hours per week for a difference of £10, but that would mean that I earn my money to live, rather than obtain it through benefits.

vintagebrighton

bwals92 wrote: »

A quick update, I was offered the job at 11 hour per week. I don't know the rate of pay, but I contacted the DWP and they said that from anything I do earn, £10 is disregarded and the rest is minused from my income support. Which - ultimately - means I would be working 11 hours per week for a difference of £10, but that would mean that I earn my money to live, rather than obtain it through benefits.

Well done......... :T