To ask if this decision by the Jobcentre is correct ?

[fourfingerkitkat]

I was claiming JSA from October 2011 until April 2012 (contributions based JSA as I live with my partner). Was signed off mid April and didn't find work until October 2012 for 3 months as a Christmas temp. I was not paying tax as it was a retail position which paid just above the minimum wage. I finished up at the end of December. I was previously advised that I should keep all wages slips etc as I would be able to claim JSA when I finished up.

Completed my online claim for JSA on the 7th of Jan, had a meeting in the Jobcentre last week during which they finalised my claim and said monies should be paid into my account by the 28th Jan. They also arranged two meetings for me this coming week at the Jobcentre to discuss some more info, therefore I assumed that everything was in order. I then received a letter yesterday telling me I am not eligible for JSA as I have not paid enough in NI contributions up until April 2012. Is the fact that I worked for 12 weeks from October 2012 not taken into account here ?

Thanks in advance to anyone that knows more about the benefit system than I do !

[Jammother]

Also the tax year counted for contributions-based JSA and ESA runs from January to January rather than the conventional tax year from April.

[fourfingerkitkat]

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, you've confused me further Jammother . The letter that I received confirming I was not eligible for JSA definitely referred to contributions made up the end of tax years April 2011 and April 2012. Or have they got it wrong in the bloody letter too ?

[torychicetc]

They may have made an elementary mistake Good luck with it.

[susanann]

No that is right they work from jan to jan. so if youre unemployed in say March it wont count till you "start" from the following Jan. Im sure thats what DP told me. Sounds very unfair to me!