Claiming Jobseeker's Allowance - for single parents who are not working or work less than 16 hours a week

Benefits for you

Jobseeker’s Allowance?

Before 24 November 2008, single parents who were not working, or were working under 16 hours a week, had the choice of applying for Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance until their youngest child reached the age of 16.

From November 2008, the rules started to change for single parents receiving benefi ts. These changes mean that when your youngest child reaches a certain age you will normally only be able to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance and will not have the choice of claiming Income Support.

The changes are being introduced over the next few years and apply to those already receiving Income Support and those making a new claim for benefits:

• From 24 November 2008, if you are receiving Income Support only because you are a single parent, you will have to change to Jobseeker’s Allowance when your youngest child reaches the age of 12.
• From 26 October 2009, you will have to change to Jobseeker’s Allowance when your youngest child reaches the age of 10.
• From 25 October 2010, you will have to change to Jobseeker’s Allowance when your youngest child reaches the age of 7.

If you are already receiving Income Support when your youngest child reaches the appropriate age, you will be informed by Jobcentre Plus of the date your Income Support will end. You will then need to apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance if you wish to continue to receive benefits for yourself.

These changes may not apply to you if you receive Income Support for other reasons, apart from being a single parent. For example, because your child receives the middle or higher rate care element of Disability Living Allowance, you get Carer’s Allowance or you have a foster child living with you.

What is Jobseeker’s Allowance?
There are two types of Jobseeker’s Allowance:

• Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance is paid if you have enough National Insurance contributions from past employment. There is no means test but you must satisfy the basic conditions of entitlement (see page 2).
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance is paid if you have little or no income or capital (wealth such as property or money). It is not necessary to have paid National Insurance in past employment but you must satisfy the basic conditions of entitlement (see below).

What conditions will I have to meet to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance?
You must show that:

• you are available for work;
• you are actively seeking work (see below); and
• if you left a job, you had good reason to do so.

You will also have to:

• agree with a personal adviser at your Jobcentre Plus office an action plan of the steps that you will take to find work; and
• attend Jobcentre Plus once every fortnight to show that you have taken these steps.

Do not let this put you off claiming money your family needs. If you are worried, call the Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline for advice.

How do I make a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance?
Call Jobcentre Plus Benefit Enquiries on 0800 055 6688. A first contact officer will take some details and arrange to call you back to complete an electronic claim form over the phone. They will also arrange a work-focused interview at a Jobcentre Plus office.

If you have lost your job because of misconduct, or have left your job voluntarily, Jobcentre Plus can decide that you should not be paid Jobseeker’s Allowance for a period of time. You may be entitled to a hardship payment if this happens.

Jobcentre Plus will look into what happened and it is for them to show that you left your job voluntarily. You could still claim Jobseeker’s Allowance if you can show that you had ‘just cause’ to leave your job. If you left a job because you could not get appropriate, affordable childcare, you should not be punished.

I am working part time. Can I claim Jobseeker’s Allowance?
If you are working under 16 hours a week, you can claim Jobseeker’s Allowance. You must tell the Jobcentre about any money you earn as this can affect the amount of benefi t you are entitled to receive.

If a job becomes available for more than 16 hours per week, you must be prepared to give up your part-time job. This may not apply to you if you care for a child under 16 (see below).

I still have to look after my children. What does 'available for work' and 'actively seeking work' mean for single parents?

If you are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance you must show that you are willing and able to take up work. For example, you must show that you are actively taking steps to find suitable work, such as making job applications.

You can discuss what type of work is suitable for you with your Jobcentre personal adviser and place some restrictions on the type of work that you will accept. If you are caring for a child under the age of 16, you can tell your personal adviser that you do not want to work for more than 16 hours a week.

Other situations in which the Jobcentre will accept that you are not available to take up work are:

• during the school holidays if you are caring for a child, do not have childcare and it would be unreasonable for you to make other childcare arrangements;
• where your child has been excluded from school;
• where you have received either a Parenting Order or have entered a Parenting Contract under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Talk to your personal adviser and explain your situation. You will normally be expected to be looking for paid work. If you refuse to apply for or take up a job and the Jobcentre does not accept that reason, you can be sanctioned (punished) and this will affect your benefit.

What if I leave work or cannot look for work because my family is having to cope with the end of my relationship or a bereavement?

The rules for Jobseeker’s Allowance say that there are some situations when you can be treated as available for work even though you are not, so that you can go on receiving the benefit, for example, because of a domestic emergency or the death of someone you were caring for. This can last for up to eight weeks. Explain your situation to your personal adviser.

What if I cannot find childcare?

The Government has said that if you cannot find or take up work because of a lack of affordable, appropriate childcare, or if you leave your job for this reason, you should not be penalised. The Jobcentre will expect you to show that you have looked for childcare, and to explain why you think it is not appropriate for your child.

What if I want to study or train?

If you are a full-time student you are not able to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance while you are studying. You may be able to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance during the summer holidays if you are available for work.

If you are classed as a part-time student, you may be able to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance if:

• the hours you are studying are outside the times you have agreed with your personal adviser that you are available to work; or
• you say you are willing to change the hours you are studying or give up the course if a job becomes available.

If you are on a ‘qualifying course’, or receiving a training allowance agreed by Jobcentre Plus, you should be treated as available for work. For more information about this and other types of financial help you may be entitled to as a student, see Money for further education students and Money for higher education students.

What will happen if I do not meet the conditions for claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance?

You may fail to meet the conditions for claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, for example if you have recently given up a job, or are not considered to be actively looking for work.

If you fail to meet the conditions for claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, a decision maker within Jobcentre Plus can decide that you should be sanctioned. This means you lose your entitlement to benefi ts for a number of weeks and your Jobseeker’s Allowance can be stopped completely.

If this happens, you can apply for a hardship payment so that you receive 60 per cent of the benefit. You do not have to make a separate claim for a hardship payment but you will need to make and sign a hardship statement at Jobcentre Plus.

Is there any extra financial help for single parents who move into paid work?

You may be able to get extra help if you move into
work, including: . Working Tax Credit; you may qualify if you work
for more than 16 hours per week, including an
element to help with childcare costs; . help with your housing costs for an extra 4
weeks after you start working. This includes
Housing Benefi t, Council Tax Benefi t and help
with mortgage interest. To qualify you must have
been receiving benefi ts for the 26 weeks before
you started working; . a job grant of £250 if you start work full time (at
least 16 hours per week). You must be aged 25
or over and have been claiming benefi ts for the
26 weeks before you started work. Ask your
Jobcentre adviser for more information;

an In Work Credit if you have been receiving benefits for more than 12 months before you started working. You could get an extra £40 per week (£60 in London), on top of your wages and tax credits. You must be working at least 16 hours per week and you must claim the credit before you start work;

help from the Jobcentre Discretion Fund if you are facing a particular problem that is preventing you from working. Help from this fund may be available for costs such as initial travel to work or buying work clothes. There are limited funds and it is up to your Jobcentre adviser to decide if you qualify; and

help from Jobcentre Plus with the cost of travelling to an interview outside of your local area. There are conditions that you must satisfy in order to get help, such as receiving benefits and applying for a job that is more than 16 hours per week.

You may also be entitled to Working Tax Credit if you work for more than 16 hours a week. For more information about these and other types of help call the Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline and ask for factsheet Benefits and tax credits if you work 16 or more hours a week – a guide for single parents.

Other help and support while you are out of work

Benefits for your children

• Make sure you are getting Child Benefit for any dependent children who live with you as this could affect whether you are entitled to other benefits and tax credits for your children. Dependent children are children you are responsible for, aged up to 16, or 20 if they are in ‘non-advanced’ full-time education (that is, at a school or a college of further education) or in approved training.
• Claim Child Tax Credit for each of your dependent children (see description above). You can get the form from a Jobcentre Plus Office, or by calling the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 3900.
• If your husband, wife or civil partner has died, check at your local Jobcentre Plus office if you are entitled to any bereavement benefits and/or the Funeral Expenses Payment.

Benefits and other help for your housing costs

• Claim Housing Benefit (if you pay rent) and Council Tax Benefit. If you are claiming income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, fill in the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit application form that is included in your claim pack or ask about this when you have your interview at the Jobcentre. Otherwise, apply directly to your local authority’s Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit department. Housing Benefit for new claimants who are renting privately will be equivalent to the Local Housing Allowance (unless the rent is lower). See Further help and information for contact details of LHA Direct to find out what your local housing authority pays as Local Housing Allowance.

• If you are a homeowner amounts can be added to your Jobseeker’s Allowance for mortgage interest and interest on loans to pay for certain repairs and improvements, service charges (although some may be excluded) and ground rent. There is a waiting period before these payments start (see below). For more information call the Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline.
• You may be eligible for a housing grant or a home insulation grant. Contact your local authority for information about these.
• If you do not live with another adult, you will qualify for a 25 per cent discount on your Council Tax bill. Contact your local authority for more information.

Benefits if someone in the family is ill, disabled or a carer

• If you are unable to work because of illness or disability, you could be entitled to either Statutory Sick Pay from your employer or Employment and Support Allowance* from Jobcentre Plus. If you claimed before 27 October 2008, you may be receiving Incapacity Benefit or Income Support on grounds of incapacity instead.
• If you or your child have a long-term health problem or are disabled, claim Disability Living Allowance – get the form from your local Jobcentre Plus office or call the Department for Work and Pensions’ Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200. If you qualify, you may also be entitled to additional benefits and tax credits, so check you are receiving the right amounts.
  

You may be entitled to direct payments and other help from social services. Contact your local authority and ask for an assessment.

If you regularly care for someone who is disabled or has a long-term health problem, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. You may also be entitled to Carer’s Premium as part of income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, but get advice on whether the disabled person’s benefit is affected. Call the Benefit Enquiry Line for a claim form on 0800 882 200 or claim online at www.dwp.gov.uk/carersallowance. Phone the Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline for more advice on these benefits.

* To claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) call Jobcentre Plus Benefits Enquiries on 0800 055 6688 but note that if you are already on Income Support and have a disability you should get advice before claiming ESA as you may not be better off. Phone the Gingerbread Single Parent helpline on 0800 018 5026 for advice.

I am a homeowner. How long will it be before I get help with housing costs?

In most cases you have to wait before anything is paid. The amount of time you have to wait depends on your circumstances, when you made your claim and when you agreed to the payment of the costs. If you claimed income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance on or after 5 January 2009, the waiting period for help with allowable housing costs is normally 13 weeks. In some cases, you may be entitled to 50 per cent of the allowable housing costs after 8 weeks and the full amount at 13 weeks, for example, if your partner has died or abandoned you, or you are a carer for someone who is getting Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher rate of Disability Living Allowance or if your mortgage was taken out prior to 2 October 1995.

For people claiming income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance before 5 January 2009, the wait for housing costs varied but in most cases was 39 weeks. However, for those actually receiving some income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance on 5 January 2009, the waiting period was reduced to no longer than 13 weeks from that date, i.e., by 5 April 2009.

Those that claimed before 5 January 2009, but who were not entitled to receive any income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance on 5 January 2009, will in most cases have to wait for 39 weeks from their original claim for income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance though some had a shorter waiting period. Where you claimed because your partner had died or abandoned you, or you are a carer for someone who is getting Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher rate of Disability Living Allowance or where your mortgage was taken out prior to 2 October 1995, you may have had help with 50 per cent of the allowable housing costs after a wait of 8 weeks and should get the full allowable housing costs after 26 weeks from the date you claimed.

If your ex-partner was previously claiming Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance for the family, and you make a claim within 12 weeks of separating, the previous claim will count towards the waiting period.

What if I am having trouble paying my rent?

If you are already receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit and you need extra financial help so you can pay your rent, you can ask the Housing Benefit department for Discretionary Housing Payments. You do not have an automatic right to these payments -it is up to the local authority to decide -and there are some cases where they cannot make a payment, for example, if it is to cover arrears of rent or service charges that you owe. Get advice from a benefits adviser when you apply and also if you are refused these payments. Contact your local authority for details of how to make a claim.

Grants and loans from the Social Fund

• If you are entitled to income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, you may qualify for a Community Care Grant or an interest-free Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund at Jobcentre Plus. Call the Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline for more information about these.
• If you are entitled to income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or if you receive Child Tax Credit of more than £545 a year (or £1,090 if your youngest child is under 1 year), you can qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant (if you are pregnant or have just had a baby) and the Funeral Expenses Payment.
• In an emergency or disaster you can apply for a Crisis Loan at the local Jobcentre Plus office if you do not have enough money for your immediate needs.
• If you are entitled to income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and have a child under 5 years or you receive the disability or severe disability element of Child Tax Credit, you will automatically receive a Cold Weather Payment. It is only paid in periods of very cold weather (as defined by the government).

Health benefits

• You may be entitled to Healthy Start vouchers, which you can exchange for fresh fruit and vegetables as well as milk and infant formula. You may be entitled if you receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or even though your income is too high for income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance but you do not work 16 hours a week or more and your income (that is, what counts as income when you claim tax credits) is less than £16,040 a year (amount for 2009/10). Find out more from the Healthy Start website (www.healthystart.nhs.uk) or call 0845 607 6823.
• If you receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance you are entitled to free prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests and glasses, fares to hospital, free wigs and fabric supports.
• If you do not receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, but you receive Child Tax Credit and your income is below £15,275 a year (amount for 2009/10), you are entitled to free prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests and vouchers for glasses and fares to hospital.
• If you do not automatically qualify but are on a low income, you may still be entitled to help towards these costs. Ask for form HC1 from Jobcentre Plus.

Help with the costs of your child’s education

• If you receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance you can get free school meals for your children.
• Even if your income is too high for income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, if you do not work 16 hours a week or more and your income is less than £16,040 a year (amount for 2009/10), you can get free school meals for your children. Some of your actual income – for example, child maintenance – may not count.
• Contact your local education authority to ask if you will qualify for financial help towards the costs of school uniforms. In Wales, if your child is entering their first year of secondary school and qualifies for free school meals, you will receive a grant of £100.
• 16–19 year olds who are in full-time education may qualify for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of up to £30 a week. For more information call the EMA Helpline on 0808 101 6219 (or 0845 602 8845 in Wales) or see www.direct.gov.uk/ema (for England), www.emascotland.com (for Scotland) or www.studentfinancewales.co.uk (for Wales).

How much money will I receive for my family while I am claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance?

The following are the weekly amounts payable for the family’s day-to-day living expenses. Please note: the amounts shown are for the year April 2009 – April 2010.

Single parent with one dependent child  (£ per week)

Child Benefit                    £20.00
Jobseeker’s Allowance    £64.30
Child Tax Credit              £53.41
Total                              £137.71

Single parent with two dependent children (£ per week)

Child Benefit                    £33.20
Jobseeker’s Allowance     £64.30
Child Tax Credit              £96.32
Total                              £193.82

• The amounts shown assume the single parent is over 18, lives in rented accommodation, does not work and does not have any other income and that no-one in the family has a disability or long-term health problem, nor is caring for somebody who does.
• A higher amount of Child Tax Credit is payable if you have a child under 1 year.
• If you qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance, you can also get the maximum amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, which should cover all or most of your rent and Council Tax.
• Jobseeker’s Allowance and other means-tested benefits may be reduced if you have other income, for example, child maintenance or part-time earnings. For more information about this call the Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline.
• Jobseeker’s Allowance may not be paid if you are sanctioned - see 'What will happen if I don’t meet the conditions for claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance?' above.

Benefits for yourself from Jobcentre Plus

Check this table to see if you should be claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or may need to claim another benefit. There may be some exceptions, so phone the Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline on 0800 018 5026 if you are unsure, or to ask for any of the listed factsheets.

*If your youngest child is under 12 (10 from 26 October 2009) you could choose to remain on Income Support so if you are already on Income Support and have a disability you should get advice before claiming Employment and Support Allowance as you may not be better off. Phone the Gingerbread Single Parent helpline on 0800 018 5026.

Further help and information

Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline

0800 018 5026
(Open Mondays to Fridays, 9.00am–5.00pm, with extended opening on Wednesdays to 8.00pm) Free information on a range of issues including maintenance, benefits, tax credits, debt, employment, education, legal rights and holidays.

Gingerbread Single Parent Information Online

All our information for single parents available online.

Child Maintenance Options

0800 988 0988
www.cmoptions.org
Information about making arrangements for child support.

Child Trust Fund

0845 302 1470
www.childtrustfund.gov.uk
Information on the Child Trust Fund.

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Check your telephone directory for your local bureau or find details at www.citizensadvice.org.uk, for information and advice on a wide range of issues including benefits and tax credits.

Community Legal Advice

0845 345 4345
Website: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
Telephone advice on benefits, housing, employment, debt, welfare benefits and family law for people who are eligible for public funding.

One Parent Families Scotland Lone Parent Helpline

0808 801 0323

www.opfs.org.uk
Provides confidential advice and information for single parents in Scotland.

Department for Work and Pensions

Jobcentre Plus Benefits Enquiries: 0800 055 6688
Minicom: 0800 023 4888
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Processes new claims and claim renewals for welfare benefits.

Benefit Enquiry Line (only for disabled people and their carers): 0800 882 200; Textphone: 0800 243 355
For general information and claim forms.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

0808 101 6219

www.ema.dfes.gov.uk
Scotland: www.emascotland.com
Information and advice about the EMA, available to qualifying 16–19 year olds in full-time education.

Immigration Advice

The Immigration Advisory Service

www.iasuk.org

OISC

www.oisc.gov.uk
For information on organisations/solicitors that give immigration advice.

Refugee Council

020 7346 6700

Advice for refugees and asylum seekers.

LHA Direct

www.lha-direct.therentservice.gov.uk
For information about tax credits and to request claim forms.

Tax Credit Helpline

0845 300 3900

www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
For information about tax credits and to request claim forms.

Working Families

0800 013 0313

www.workingfamilies.org.uk
Advice on benefits and employment law.

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