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AIBU?

Claiming job seekers allowance due to redundancy?

44 replies

freddiestarratemyhandbag · 16/12/2010 22:16

Not so much an AIBU as I really don't know what I'll do on this (although I think my gut feeling says I won't claim anything).

I am currently on maternity leave, had every intention of going back when it ended in June. I am being made redundant at the beginning of March, I have a payout that will help pay the mortgage for a while but money will be pretty tight.

I've been told (and I know nothing really about this kind of stuff, haven't looked into it myself) that I would be eligible to claim jobseekers allowance.

Now, this is my gut instinct - the welfare state is there as a safety net, and since I'm getting my redundancy payout and wasn't planning to go back to work til June then claiming Jobseekers allowance from March seems a bit...I don't know, just not right?

BUT, quite a few people have said to me that I've worked hard and paid tax and NI for the last 10 years, I've been made redundant through no fault of my own (govt cuts) and I am entitled to jobseekers allowance and should claim it.

I just wondered what everyone else thought? Have no plans to claim it, but then wonder if I should use it and use it to make sure my DD's don't miss out on things they currently have? (by that, I mean like weekly music groups, toddler groups, baby gym etc)

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DooinMeCleanin · 16/12/2010 22:21

Yes claim it, they take into account any savings or redundancy payments anyway and adjust your entitlement accordingly.

You need to claim it, as you have to have been claiming for 6 months before you are entitled to help towards your mortgage. So if you don't claim and don't get a new job before your redundancy runs out you will be in a mess.

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Adversecamber · 16/12/2010 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BextheBambi · 16/12/2010 22:21

If you DP works you could find it difficult to claim as i had the same problem when i was Pg.

It's worth applying though you can do so online, as you need jobseekers to claim for HB, and statutary (sp?) maternity leave as well.

Having 10 years worth of NI payments behind you is a plus as you'd be eligable for the NI based jobseekers allowance or something along the lines of that.

Hope that helps

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freddiestarratemyhandbag · 16/12/2010 22:23

Thanks all - my SMP ends around the date I'm being made redundant (baby is almost 6 months old now) so the March-June period was going to be unpaid ML anyway.

I guess it's more of a moral thing - should I do it? But interesting that I may not be able to anyway!

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AuntiePickleBottom · 16/12/2010 22:23

yanbu you maybe entiled to contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance.

but hopefully you'll be able to get another job by then

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websticks · 16/12/2010 22:24

They wont give you job seekers whilst you have redundancy money. My partner was made redundant 2 years ago and tried to claim job seekers (had worked for 20 years)He had a morgage to pay plus other bills. and they said whilst he had money in the bank he could not claim.

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xstitchsnowscene · 16/12/2010 22:24

Don't know what you would be entitled to if your DP works but I would complete the application. benefits are for situations like yours.

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SlightlyMadSpook · 16/12/2010 22:25

You should register with the job centre as unemployed whether you are planning to claim JSA or not becase I think that you will maintain NI credits (which you need to do to maintain entitlement to state benefits such as a state pension, sick pay etc.)

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freddiestarratemyhandbag · 16/12/2010 22:26

Websticks - that's really interesting. I know nothing about this kind of thing, but I know my MIL got a redundancy payout of thousands at the beginning of the year and still claimed JSA for 6 months, even thouh her DH is a higher rate tax payer.

I don't really know how any of it works!

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classydiva · 16/12/2010 22:28

If you want your national insurance stamp paid you have to claim it. Whilst you may not be entitled to anything you should claim to cover the break in your employment.

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SlightlyMadSpook · 16/12/2010 22:28

Webstciks think that is wrong.

I am being made redundant too.....and I am entitled to claim contribution based for 6m (it is not means tested) as long as I am available for work, and technically Job Seeking This will only last 6m and it will only be hte basic rate of £65 ish per week. After that it will be means tested.

This may be the sticking point for OP....will she make herself available for work if she has small child/considers herself on maternity leave.

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AnnoyingOrange · 16/12/2010 22:29

contributions based JSA is payable for 6 mobnths @ £65 per week, regardless of savings etc.

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zisforzebra · 16/12/2010 22:29

Go to your local CAB, they will be able to advise you on exactly how it all works. Definitely claim if you're eligible although they'll make you jump through hoops to get it.

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AnnoyingOrange · 16/12/2010 22:30

x post with slightlymadspook Smile

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AnnoyingOrange · 16/12/2010 22:31
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freddiestarratemyhandbag · 16/12/2010 22:31

Slightlymad - that's a good point. I am going to actively be looking for work from my redundancy date in March as the baby will be 9 months then and I am fully expecting it to take a few months (at least) to find and start a new job. I will be very much actively seekign work at that point. Would be very grateful for the help actually!

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tethersjinglebellend · 16/12/2010 22:33

Surely you can't claim SMP and JSA? You are not available for work, as SlightlyMad says... Or am I wrong?

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tethersjinglebellend · 16/12/2010 22:34

What I mean is, wouldn't you be better off claiming SMP than JSA until your maternity leave is up?

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freddiestarratemyhandbag · 16/12/2010 22:35

Tethers I'm not planning on claiming SMP ending coincides with my redundancy:

Add message | Report | Message poster freddiestarratemyhandbag Thu 16-Dec-10 22:23:54
Thanks all - my SMP ends around the date I'm being made redundant (baby is almost 6 months old now) so the March-June period was going to be unpaid ML anyway.

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freddiestarratemyhandbag · 16/12/2010 22:35

Not explaining it very well!!!

My SMP ends in March and I get made redundant in March.

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tethersjinglebellend · 16/12/2010 22:39

Gah, sorry- not paying attention.

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websticks · 16/12/2010 22:40

Maybe rules have changes as this was over 2years ago. or maybe we were miss informed by job centre staff as we were told several different things at the time, anyway my partner was out of work for 6 months with no income at all. Which is wrong when he had paid Tax and NI for 20 years.

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NonnoMum · 16/12/2010 22:43

Just a thought...

Your baby is 6 months or so. You weren't planning on going back to work until June, but you are not obliged to stay off that long on Mat Leave. Would you be in a better position long-term (and with redundancy etc) if you chose to go back to work before March? I think you can just give a month's notice on when you want to go back, so perhaps if you do that, go back, then get made redundant etc, you might be in a better position all round (and won't feel so bad about claiming JSA or whatever)...

Of course, you'd have to sort out childcare etc, but it might make a big difference (it might not, I don't know the details, but was just thinking...)

OR, they might not make you redundant (isn't there a thought that women on maternity leave are the first to go??)

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wubblybubbly · 16/12/2010 22:45

You are entitled to claim contribution based JSA for 6 months, regardless of your savings or partner's income, as long as you are actively seeking employment.

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DoFliesHaveKnees · 16/12/2010 22:47

I think redundancy pay is disregarded as capital for 52 weeks for Housing Benefit purposes. I would think the DWP does something along the same lines

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