Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2014 to Question 211684, whether the planned exemption from the three month residency test for people claiming jobseeker's allowance will apply to the family members of people posted abroad while serving in the armed forces.

Currently, family members of HM forces, Crown servants and other types of posted worker are required to satisfy the three month residence requirement before they can claim Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) unless they personally fall within the scope of the exemption, for example, by having paid Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance Contributions. Partners of members of the armed forces are however credited with UK National Insurance contributions and can also benefit from an easement to the first contribution condition for contributory JSA or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This can help secure an entitlement to these benefits should either be required upon any return to the UK.