Am I bu to claim JSA

[millygreen]

Looking for work and getting nowhere which is killing me self esteem wise but anyway

I’m really a SAHM but through circumstances. Can I claim JSA?

I guess it depends how much time and effort you are putting into finding a job. If you're spending several hours a day applying for jobs then you should apply for it.

There aren’t as many jobs to add up to hours a day but definitely looking.

Yes if you are actively seeking work. They will expect you to spend a certain number of hours a week searching for work and see proof of that at your meetings. (Applications etc)
And they can help you find work too if struggling so sounds like it could be useful for you beyond the money aspect.

You need to have worked and made national insurance contributions and need to be looking for full time work. This link tells you the eligibility criteria

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/jobseekers-allowance-jsa/before-you-claim-jsa/check-if-you-can-get-jsa/

I’m trained in a particular field, and am a bit concerned I’ll be pushed to work outside of that.

Same situation OP and I claimed JSA. Am looking but not a great deal I can actually apply for. The job centre are happy with what I’m doing (I speak to them every month).

New Style JSA will depend on your NI contributions over the last 2/3 years.

If you haven't made enough contributions then your only option is UC. If you are in a couple you will need to make a couples claim.

Also, they don't literally add up the hours. They can tell if you're making an effort or not basically. I would apply, go to the first appointment and go from there. No harm in it.

Thanks

Last, dp works and actually earns well. I always worked FT until a few months ago.

Claiming JSA is no fun, if you need it, claim it, but don't think it's just a matter of putting the claim in. You absolutely will be pushed to attend interviews that wouldn't be your chosen job.

go ahead and claim but they will expect you to take a job, not just one in your choosen field

Then you should be eligible for New Style JSA.
It doesnt take in to account your DPs earnings but is only paid for a max of 180 days or there abouts.

DH started job seekers when he was made redundant last year and they didn't push him to look outside of his field or skill level as he was applying for a lot of stuff and proactively seeking out recruiters etc.

I had a really good experience with JSA when I returned from mat leave/redundancy. They didn't expect me to work full time or anything I didn't choose for myself but I had pretty decent support and it got me into a good discipline of applying. I also found jobs I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise, had I not been looking each week. I claimed for nearly 6 months which was the maximum for contribution based JSA (not means tested but based on NI payments) and found a lovely job towards the end that I stayed in part time for 4 years. I always found the people friendly. On a quiet week I did apply for jobs I wasn't keen on but if you're pinging your CV off to Reed you never hear back at the best of times. I'd do it. You can always cancel your claim if the experience isn't a good one. Finally the extra money did help, after all we'd been used to two salaries and it was tight on one.

No JSA doesn't take new claims.

Thats not true judgingcat

New Style JSA is still open to new claims as is New Style ESA.

How can it not take new claims ... sorry?

Income related JSA has been replaced by UC. As another PP said that will mean a couples UC claim and with a high income partner you may not qualify.

But

New Style JSA is dependent on your NI contributions over the last 2-3 years. If you worked full time OP you should qualify.

Claim New Style JSA here www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/apply-new-style-jsa.

Claiming will also provide standard NI contributions so there are less gaps in your contributions record. Go for it OP it's there for people like yourself.

Thanks pop that’s really helpful.