Jobbing student seeks allowance
Question
I'm currently studying and I'm also looking for a job. What is the maximum amount of hours Im allowed to study for and claim Jobseekers Allowance?
Answer
Most full-time students in higher education are not able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) during term-time or holidays. However, lone parents can claim JSA during the summer holidays, as can someone whose partner is also a full-time student if one or both of you is responsible for a child. However, you must be 'available for and actively seeking work'.
Whether or not you're a full-time student depends on your age, the level of course you're taking, where in the UK you live and who funds the course. If you are aged between 16 and 20 and in 'relevant education' (generally this means you are studying for qualifications up to A-level), full-time is 12 or more hours study a week. If you're not in relevant education, a course will be full-time if funded by the Learning and Skills Council for England, the Welsh Assembly Government or Scottish minsters, and your personal pattern of attendance involves 16 hours or more guided learning. There is no hours limit for other courses, and a decision on whether the course is full-time will be made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Local Authority deciding your benefit claim. They will look at how the course is defined by the college, but you can challenge this if you disagree.
If you're a part-time student you may be able to claim, but you should be out of work - or working less than 16 hours a week on average - capable of working, available for work and actively seeking work.
There's nothing to stop you taking a part-time job while studying and you do not need to register with the Job Centre. If you decide to take a job, your employer may take tax and National Insurance contributions from your earnings if you earn above the lower earnings limit of about £97 per week (for 2010-2011).
You may want to talk to student services about this, or find out more from Jobcentre Plus.
Updated: 16/03/2010
Question answered by CAB
