Quite right Jon – it does say that. But it’s wrong isn’t it?! I agree that the 26 week rule doesn’t apply where dependants become non-dependants and where someone on IS turns 25. But a change from being on IS/JSA(IB) to starting work is a change in income in my book and is covered by SI2003/325 reg 22(2)(b). I suspect the DWP are asking us to draw a distinction between deductions covered by HB Reg 63(8) and those covered by the rest of Reg 63. Even then they could only be right if the non dep whose IS ends and earnings starts is under 25. But I just don’t agree with them.
