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JSA & apprenticeships
I might be missing something really obvious here but I can’t find a conclusive answer.
I have a couple making a joint JSA claim, both aged 19. One of them is being put onto an apprenticeship which will pay £95 per week. It’s a 40 hours a week and expected to last year.
They currently receive £111.45pw JSA, full housing and council tax benefit. No dependents and no disabilities. Because she’ll be working over 24 hours a week, I suspect their JSA will stop, making them £16.45pw worse off (£26.45pw worse off if you count the couples disregard). They’re ineligible for WTC so they’re stuck with support from JSA. The only thing I can find is that someone shouldn’t be treated as in full time work for JSA if they’re on Work Experience which includes apprenticeships expected to last up to 12 weeks.
I’m also worried that if she turns down the apprenticeship they’ll be sanctioned, but CPAG states they should only be sanctioned if she agrees to the apprenticeship and then fails to attend.
Anyone got any thoughts/comments/suggestions?
Thanks
Does the Better-off in Work Credit actually exist?