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Home / Payments and rates / A-Z of payments / Jobseeker Support Student Hardship / Jobseeker Support Student Hardship - partner's obligations

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Jobseeker Support Student Hardship - partner's obligations

If you have a partner, there are obligations they need to meet while you're getting Jobseeker Support Student Hardship.

Important information

From 8 November 2021, your work obligations will be based on the youngest child in your care.

Child under 3

If you have a child under 3, your partner must prepare for work, eg, get their CV ready.

Child 3-13

If you have a child aged between 3 and 13 years, your partner needs to look for part-time work (at least 20 hours a week).

Youngest child 14 or over, or no children

Your partner needs to look for full-time work (at least 30 hours a week), unless they're:

    • at least 26 weeks pregnant
    • ill or have a health condition that impacts their work capacity
    • caring for a special needs child
    • caring for someone who would otherwise be in hospital
    • home-schooling a child.

If your partner's a student, they need to register with Student Job Search

Don't need to meet work obligations

Your partner may not need to meet their work obligations in certain circumstances, eg they're 27 weeks pregnant, or less than 27 weeks and there are complications.

Exemptions to work obligations

If you and your partner have another child, your partner will only need to prepare for work until your youngest child turns 3.

How to tell us

  • You need to fill out a change in circumstances form.
  • You'll need to provide a verified copy of your child's birth certificate.
  • Log in to Connect and upload your form and verified birth certificate.
linksChange of circumstances form (PDF 724.39KB)

Getting Jobseeker Support Student Hardship again

If your youngest child is:

  • under 3, your partner will need to continue to take practical steps to prepare for work
  • between 3 and 13, your partner will be expected to actively seek part-time work of at least 20 hours a week and accept any suitable job
  • 14 or older or no children, your partner will be expected to actively seek full-time work of at least 30 hours a week and accept any suitable job.

Your partner needs to let us know about any change in their circumstances

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