If you are part of a couple making a claim for income-based Jobseeker's Allowance you are normally required to make a joint claim. However, in some cases income-based Jobseeker's Allowance can be paid without a joint claim. Cases where this applies include where the partner is working between 16 and 24 hours per week, is pregnant or receiving maternity pay, or is receiving statutory sick pay.

If you are not required to make a joint claim the calculator can not calculate your benefit entitlement accurately. We assume that in couples all claims are made for both people jointly.

A joint claim means that you will both be required to meet the conditions for actively seeking work. However, there are exceptions to the actively seeking work rules under certain circumstances. For example, if you are sick or have caring responsibilities, you may be excused from meeting the actively seeking work conditions. You will both still be required to be part of the joint claim though.