Jobseeker's Allowance - Joint Claims

Help and advice about joint claims for Jobseeker's Allowance.

Who has to make a joint claim?

Couples with no dependant children claiming income based Jobseeker's Allowance will be required to make a joint claim where:

• at least one member of the couple was born after 28th October 1947; and
• is also aged 18 or over

In joint claim cases both members will be required to sign the application form and accept equal responsibility for the claim and the reporting of any relevant changes of circumstances.

Each member will normally have to attend a New Jobseeker Interview and sign an individual Jobseeker's Agreement unless they are already taking part in a Steps to Work / New Deal programme or are excused from meeting certain JSA conditions if they meet certain criteria.

People for who joint claims are not appropriate

There are certain circumstances where couples are not required to make a joint claim;

• either jobseeker is working an average between 16 and 24 hours at the outset of the claim
• either member no longer qualifies
• one member is over the age at which they can get State Pension
• either member is in receipt of Young Person’s Bridging Allowance only
• payment of a European Economic Area imported benefit is being made (whether or not there is also an element of income based Jobseeker’s Allowance)
• either member is a Person from Abroad
• either member is subject to immigration controls and has no recourse to public funds or cannot obtain a work permit
• the woman is pregnant and within 11 weeks of her Expected Week of Confinement and does not wish to make herself available for work or is in receipt of Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance
• one member is in receipt of Statutory Sick Pay from a job of 16 hours or more per week
• One member of the couple is temporarily absent from the UK at the date of the claim

Exemption Categories within Joint Claims for JSA

The following people can be excused from meeting the conditions:

• people incapable of work due to pregnancy
• carers
• persons over the age at which they can get Pension Credit
• refugees on a course to improve their English
• people required to attend court
• certain people in relevant education
• people aged 18 in full time education
• people in employment who live in a residential home
• people involved in a trade dispute

Help and advice about joint claims

You can get more help and information on how the joint claims process will affect your claim to Jobseeker's Allowance by contacting your local Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office.