The Job Center should not simply have said that he can't claim Job Seakers' Allowance without explaining what other benefits may be claimed. It is true that, when living together as a couple, not many benefits can be claimed as an individual but that doesn't mean that a claim cannot be made as a couple. They should make a joint claim for working tax credits and, when they have a child, child tax credits and child benefit. Whether they will be better or worse off I do not know but it is correct that, while they are living together and she is working full time, he should not be claiming Job Seakers' Allowance. They need to stop worrying and put in the claims that are right for their situation as soon as possible.

Income based JSA is means tested unlike it's "contribution based" counterpart, therefore if his partner works over 24 hours a week on average, he will not usually be entitled to it.

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Jobseekerallowance/index.html

She cannot afford to support him. All her money is spent on essentials and supplies for the imminent baby. His jobseekers was being used to get him to interviews etc. It seems bizarre to me that as one of them is working the other one cant claim JSA - thank you for your help.

They assume that she will be supporting him - unless I am wrong - is that not what normally happens in a relationship ?

The fact that they are not married will not affect their decision - they will be treated as "common law" partners

The "normal" way round would be for him to support her - but in these days of equality - I see no real difference

Hi. I was wondering if you could help me clear something up. My sister now lives with her boyfriend and is pregnant. She has been working for the most part for the last 2 years or so. her boyfriend has basically never had a job and claims income based JSA. He has been told recently that because she is working (earning approx £25k per year) he is not entitled to claim. Surely he has a right to claim in his own right and her employment shouldnt affect his claim either way. He has been told by the job centre that he cant make another claim for 13 weeks (when my sisters baby is due so not ideal...) Hopefully he will have a job by then but I cant get my head around the fact that his benefits are affected by someone else having a job... Hope this makes sense!