Jobs 16 hours a week

If you get Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance, you should typically be unemployed or working for fewer than 16 hours per week. Partners of those receiving Income Support/Allowance Jobseeker's may work up to 24 hours per week on average without affecting their partner's eligibility.

However, in certain cases, you may work more than 16 hours per week (24 hours per week for spouses) and still get Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance. These are some examples:

Carers;

Childminders working for themselves;

Volunteers;

People enrolled in certain training programs;

Lifeboatmen, part-time firefighters, the Territorial Army, Volunteer Reserves, and coastguards are examples of special jobs.

Foster parents and councillors;

People who are disabled and have limited incomes as a result of their impairment;

Residents of a residential care facility or a nursing home;

People participating in a trade dispute under particular conditions;

Fishermen should be shared.

There are no limitations on the number of hours these persons may work and still be eligible for Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support.

If you fall into one of these categories and work more than 16 hours per week, you might be eligible for the Working Tax Credit (see below). If you wish to determine your claim to Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support, you must first specify that you work fewer than 16 hours per week in the calculator.

Carers

Anyone who is classified as a caretaker for Income Support reasons is eligible to apply, regardless of how many hours they work (i.e. the remunerative work restriction does not apply). More information may be found at Income Support regulations for caregivers.

Tax Credit for Employees

Working Tax Credit may be available if you work 16 hours or more each week (WTC). Because WTC, like most wages, is included as income for calculating Income Support, most persons in this scenario are denied Income Support because their earnings and any WTC received are too high. However, some individuals still get an Income Support payment to supplement their earnings/tax credits, such as self-employed caretakers whose company generates no profit. If you are a caregiver who works 16 hours or more each week, you should seek more information on claiming Income Support.