Whats the difference between income support and job seekers allowance?

[ParsleyCake]

My fiance and I currently work very low hours (he is contacted for 4/week but usually manages to get 10, and I am contracted for 12 but on average manage about 15). Our son will be 9 months old by the time my maternity allowance runs out and I go back to work. My shifts are luckily during times that my mother would be able to watch the baby, but they don't quite cover my half of the bills and my fiance's don't nearly cover his.

What would we apply for? Job Seeker's Allowance (what we currently are on) or Income Support and what is the difference? Will we both be expected to look for more work? Because to me this wouldn't make sense as the childcare we would have to pay for would probably cancel out the extra we would earn? it would make more sense if they just required my partner to look for extra work.

I am not a scrounger - I just graduated and once my leave finishes I am stuck working my student part time job until I can find something better and my fiance has been trying so hard to find work for months.

If working you could get up to 70% of child care paid for through tax credits, you will also get working tax credits and child tax credits as well as child benefit. You may be eligible for some housing benefit too.

I'm not sure if you apply for job seekers, I thought income support was mostly for single parents?

I think it would be a joint claim for JSA maybe?

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will come along

Income support is only for single parents, carers, or people on unpaid parental leave who were in receipt of tax credits or housing benefit before taking parental leave.

There are also people who are on IS who have yet to be moved in to ESA.

Why would you need childcare if he only works a maximum of ten hours a week. Surely he's capable of looking after his own child?

One of you at least needs to work more, if you are more qualified it makes sense you throw everything into job hunting now so you have a better wage coming in.

I was wondering that, if he's only doing 10 hours then why can't you divey up the childcare between you?

You don't have any entitlement to Income Support.
You need to make a claim for JSA. Only one of you needs to claim because you have a young child. Your part time work earnings will be taken into account.

Tax credits are the main thing you need to apply for. Plus housing benefit and child benifit

We could indeed divvy up the childcare between us, but if we claim JSA I think they would expect us both to seek more work (as we do not earn enough to support ourselves) and if I DID get more work it would mean there would be times when neither of us could watch the baby. Needless to say there are not many jobs available and those that are would not be likely to fit neatly into a schedule that works wit our other jobs, never mind baby sitting. Realistically only my partner could continue to apply for jobs without it affecting looking after the baby.

My fiance continues to fill his time with doing temporary work and gardening for people in the neighbourhood, which is why I thought of my mother first towatch the baby

Oh and I am indeed looking for a graduate job, but have had no luck so far. I am even willing to cut my maternity leave short for a good job, as a decent wage/hours would solve all our problems.

One of you needs a full time job, and if you are on JSA you will be expected to prove that you are looking, going for interviews etc. With a young baby I think the other does not need to be seeking work until the child can go to nursery. Tax credits, child benefit and housing benefit will bump up your income.

RainbowFlutterby thanks I hope thats true as its what I was hoping to hear. I just hope my partner can find more work soon

You make a claim to JSA but any income will be deducted. This will however allow you to claim Hb & CTB. You wouldn't need to show you were looking for full time work but your partner would (or visa versa)
Ideally you need more hours so you can claim tax credits which make quite a bit of difference to your income. Claim on-line, ( you claim the HB and CTB at the same time ) , you'll get an appointment within 3 days.
Have a look at the 'entitled to' page to get an idea.