to claim contribution based JSA?

[amiascrounger]

Hi,

I've namechanged for this to preserve my sensitive alter-ego. I know some people like to flame benefit claimants so I'm prepared!

Background:
I was in a average-paid job, being a good citizen, paying my taxes etc. Then I was made redundant. My partner also works (in a low-paid job). We have 2DCs. We have managed to drastically alter our lifestyle to cope with the drop in income but have run up £5k debts (low interest, so manageable). We claim CTC+WTC but get no CTB/HB (have a small+cheap mortgage).

We get by on what we have now. By 'get by' I mean no holidays, car very old and too small, house overcrowded and needing repairs, buy DCs clothes from charity shops etc. However we have enough for small luxuaries eg (cheap) lunches out, wine, taking DCs out, the odd book/DVD.

So AIBU to claim contribution based JSA? We cant get income based because DP works. I am entitled to it because I paid NI when I was working. I will only get it for 26 weeks and it counts as income for out CTC/WTC, so this will be reduced as a consequence. I know that I have 'earned' my entitlement to this benefit, and tbh I was surprised it wasn't cut in the Spending Review, but morally it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable claiming it when we dont really need it.

Your thoughts?

YANBU. Claim what you're entitled to. Can't see how JSA is any different to CB or CTC or WTC in essence. Put it away for the future or use it to have a holiday but don't feel guilty about it.

It's just you getting your tax back

of course you should claim it - you have actually paid for it. Consider it a tax rebate and maybe you won't have so much of a problem.

Sorry.. YABU, I meant to say

yanbu you've paid in and are entitled to it

YANBU. It's what you paid NI for.

You've been made redundant and I assume are looking for work now, that's what JSA is there for. So YANBU.

Yanbu- it is contributions based after all! I would put it away for another time- if boiler breaks/roof needs fixing it will be needed!

YANBU. You might not need it now, but you might need it in the future. Will it cut your CTC/WTC by much?

Why is she being unreasonable Chil?

Claim it - you will need it. It's for six months only and sooner or later you'll need it for travel expenses / extras for interviews.

It is the reason you have paid your N I entitlements for, and believe me the six months flies by very quickly.

YANBU if you can meet the conditions for receiveing JSA (whether you claim income based or contribution based, the conditionality regime is the same)

YABU if you can't/wont/don't want to meet the conditions and see this as quick way to geta bit of extra money for whatever reason.

It will make little/no difference anyway -what DWP give you, HMRC will take away.

Contribution based JSA is not an entitlement - you don't have a right to it just because you've worked. You have to be able to meet the conditions. At 13weeks you will have to go and sign on every week, you may be sent on training courses depending on your skill set. It is nothing like a tax rebate

I don't have a downer on benefit claimants, however, people should remeber that with the benefits come rights and responsibilities. Many forget that benefit is not free money.

YANBU - you will get tax back from what you've paid already, and it counts towards your national insurance contributions - that's the most important bit.
so, actually, you do need it, because of the NI stamps - if you don't claim it, you won't get any stamps for that period.

She's being unreasonable to be beating herself up about claiming it. And she's being unreasonable to make her family endure the no holiday/nasty car/charity shop lifestyle and then say 'we don't really need it'. She is not being unreasonable to claim it.

Aha I see and I agree!

What are NI stamps for?

OP doesn't need the NI conts (stamp) as she has children under 12 and receives Child Benefit she is entitled to the new weekly credit for stste pension www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10018691

Any tax refund she may be entitled to will be eroded by the claim for JSA - JSA is a taxable benfit and the anount you recieve counts towards the taxable total you can earn in a year (your free pay). She may actually be better off not claiming JSA and instead getting a tax refund direct from HMRC.

Oh that's a good point about the stamps- I forgot about that. NI stamps build up you entitlement for future benefits, Chris.

I am actively seeking work. Going to the appointments is a PITA but endurable.

YABU if you intend to claim it and not job seek. YANBU if you are intending to find work whilst claiming it.