Complicated question

jmima

After 2 years being unemployed, I have finally found a job!!! Hurrah! My partner, who has also been unemployed all this time has come to the conclusion that unless he retrains, he will spend the rest of his life unemployed The thing is, my wages will be so low that we won't be able to afford the course (p/t evening). So I guess what we were wondering is, could he still sign on (but not get any money obviously) and then the job centre could pay for the course?

princessdon

If it is a college course, you are on wtc or low wages it may well be free anyway, so ask them.

But people say that signing on for NI credits is always a good thing too.

jinger_2

First of all - Congratulations!!!!!!

It may be worth your partner signing on, but not sure if he'll qualify for any money as he may not have paid enough National Insurance in the two tax years before the current one.

Unfortunately due to budget cuts, Jobcentre Plus have cut down the amount of free courses the unemployed can go on (like the old Training for Work courses people could go on if they've been signing on for over 6 months). They may be able to give him a list of training providers that provide training for no cost to people signing on. Last year I was unemployed for 9 months and my jobcentre gave me a list and I ended up going to a local training provider and got my advanced ECDL certificate for free which helped me get a job (I've been employed for 8 months now).

Have you checked to see if you qualify for Working Tax Credit to top your wages up? You don't need to have children to qualify but you do have to work over a certain amount of hours per week.

Some colleges offer free courses if you're unemployed or partner is getting Tax Credits.

RoxRoxBling

If the course is part time and he's available to work full time alongside that then he can sign on, provided he's looking for work. Not too sure if the JC will pay the course but they might, worth asking them..