JSA, couple claiming, one aged 24, one 17.

Hello, 

Apologies if this is a really obvious question, it’s my first time here!

I am working with a young woman who is 17, and overdue on her baby, so about to give birth any day now.

Her partner is 24.

They have just moved in together and he has made a joint claim for them, but has been told that they will only receive £51.85 per week.

Is this correct?  I found it really difficult to find out amounts for this situation and when I rang the benefits agency was told they’d be entitled to £102.75

They are a young family wanting to be together but are thinking that they’d be better off by quite a considerable amount if they lived apart.

Any advice would be great,

Many thanks

IMO they’d get the £102.75 per week because she’s beyond the 11th week before the baby is due and so would qualify for IS in her own right if she were not a member of a couple.

Many thanks, I thought it seemed wrong that they’d only get the lower amount.

I’ll help them make an appeal against the decision,

Thanks