Partner can't claim JSA because I'm a postgrad student?

ellenichwill

Hello,

I'm in a bit of a situation and don't really know what to do so I hope someone here can help me out.

I started a Masters course in September, and I live with my boyfriend who's now unemployed. He took a job on in October with some assurance that there'd be a new role for him after Christmas, but there wasn't...now he's looking for work.

He went to sign up for Jobseeker's Allowance last week, and was told he'd have to make a joint claim because we live together are 'as married'. So today we went for a joint intervew thing.

They've essentially told us that to make a joint claim we both have to be available for work. Apparently my full time course means that I've made myself unavailable for work, and so he's not entitled to anything.

I had no itentions of claiming JSA for my own benefit...I run a (tiny) little business and bring in about £300 a month to cover my own living costs, and it fits around my study.

If they decide not to pay him JSA, I don't know what we're going to do. I've paid £4500 for the course I'm on, which I saved by flogging myself at work for a year, and now we've basically been told that it's quit the course or live off the £300 a month I make, which won't even cover our rent.

I've to take in a proof document that I'm studing full time and that I've paid the fees upfront on Tuesday, but they didn't sound confident that this evidence would enable him to claim.

Does anyone have any idea of what we can do if his JSA claim is rejected? I can't quit the course, and there's no way I could work a job, even part time, around my study.

Thanks =]

missapril75

That's nonsense about making yourself unavailable for work. You have to claim as a couple but a "joint" claim (not the same as claiming jointly) is about both being available and looking for work. They would have been better using a different expression to joint claim to avoid that confusion.

However, there are categories where both being available needn't apply and being a student is one.

So you are a couple claim but not a joint claim. See what I mean about confusion?

Anyway, as a couple they have to consider your level of needs as a couple, minus the income you have as a couple.

Whether or not you actually get a student loan, if you were eligible for one they have to treat you as if you had one and they take it into account. That amount plus your earned income would likely exceed the JSA rate for couples.

Possibly he'll get the contributions version of JSA but if not, that leaves you with loan and earnings.

However, Housing Benefit is a possibility. Students are generally excluded from claiming but there are exceptions and a non student partner may qualify. They do a similar assessment with the same income/earnings but if it leaves you too short for rent, you may get some assistance that way.

PippaGirl_2

Don't think student finance is available for post grad study so nothing to take into account there. I agree that your earnings may take you over the threshold for JSA, but you may get some if you have no other income between you. And I also agree that it is worth applying for HB from your LA. And if you are full time you are exempt from CT and your partner may be able to claim CTB too.

Dunroamin

Do you receive any maintenance funding for your course?

missapril75

PippaGirl wrote: »

Don't think student finance is available for post grad study

I wondered about that but my post grad searches revealed plenty of references to student loans so I thought best to include it as a possible explanation as £300 a month from the self employment, on its own, wouldn't exceed the couple rate.

dookar

You do need to make a joint claim but you can apply to be exempted from labour market conditionality (ie the requirement to be available for work) via form JSA6