The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996

Calculation of income and capital of members of claimant’s family and of a polygamous marriage

88.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and to regulation 106 (modifications in respect of children and young persons), the income and capital of a claimant’s partner and the income of a child or young person which by virtue of section 13(2) is to be treated as the income and capital of the claimant, shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this Part in like manner as for the claimant; and any reference to the “claimant” shall, except where the context otherwise requires, be construed, for the purposes of this Part, as if it were a reference to his partner or that child or young person.

(2) Regulations 99(2) and 101(2), so far as they relate to paragraphs 1 to 13 and 19 of Schedule 6 (earnings to be disregarded) and regulation 104(1) (capital treated as income) shall not apply to a child or young person.

(3) Where at least one member of a couple is aged less than 18 and the applicable amount of the couple falls to be determined under paragraph 1(3)(b), (c), (f) or (g) of Schedule 1 (applicable amounts), the income of the claimant’s partner shall not be treated as the income of the claimant to the extent that—

(a) in the case of a couple where both members are aged less than 18, the amount specified in paragraph 1(3)(a) of that Schedule exceeds the amount specified in paragraph 1(3)(c) of that Schedule; and

(b) in the case of a couple where only one member is aged less than 18, the amount specified in paragraph 1(3)(e) of that Schedule exceeds the amount which applies in that case which is specified in paragraph 1(3)(f) or (g) of that Schedule.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), where a claimant is married polygamously to two or more members of his household—

(a) the claimant shall be treated as possessing capital and income belonging to each such member and the income of any child or young person who is one of that member’s family; and

(b) the income and capital of that member or, as the case may be, the income of that child or young person shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this Part in like manner as for the claimant or, as the case may be, as for any child or young person who is a member of his family.

(5) Where a member of a polygamous marriage is a partner aged less than 18 and the amount which applies in respect of him under regulation 84(2) (polygamous marriages) is nil, the claimant shall not be treated as possessing the income of that partner to the extent that an amount in respect of him would have been included in the applicable amount if he had fallen within the circumstances set out in regulation 84(2)(a) or (b).