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Back to index of Nerve 16 - Summer 2010
Benefits Column
My partner was made redundant six months ago and he was claiming Jobseekers Allowance, but now they’ve stopped his benefits. The Jobcentre says it’s because I’m working but I’ve been working all along. I only work part time, can he claim anything else?
There are two kinds of Jobseeker’s Allowance. The first is based
on your National Insurance contributions and you only get it for the first
six months you’re out of work. If your partner had been in a job
for a few years before he got made redundant, he would qualify for this
contributory Jobseeker’s Allowance. After six months, he can claim
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. This is paid according to what
capital (savings, investments, property) and what income you already have,
but the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) take into account the whole
household income. So they will count your wages. If your wages are more
than what the two of you would get just from benefits, your partner won’t
qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance.
It would still be worthwhile for him to sign on to get credited with National
Insurance contributions. These count towards your future entitlement to
benefits, including your state retirement pension. You could qualify for
council tax benefit, and if you are renting your home, for housing benefit.
You can get a claim form from one of the Council’s One Stop Shops.
You don’t have to both be out of work to get these benefits, but
how much you get will depend on how much you earn. When you have filled
in the form, take it back to the One Stop Shop in person and make sure
you understand what other documents they want you to give them to go with
the form.
If you are working more than sixteen hours a week, you can claim Working
Tax Credit. This is a top-up benefit for people on low wages. You can
get a claim form by phoning the HM Revenue and Customs. If you have children,
you can also claim Child Tax Credit. If you’re working less than
sixteen hours, it would be worthwhile asking your employer if they can
increase your hours so you can claim these benefits and be better off.
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