Can I claim job seekers allowence?

[cardy]

I've search around the web already for the answer to this but can't come up with a definatelive answer.

I have applied for voluntary redundancy and will find out next week if I've been accepted. I just wanted to know if I'll be entitled for Job Seekers Allowence.

I've been working for 18 years, my dh has a reasonably paid job and I'll receive a redundancy payout. I've heard all of this is irrelevant if I've been made redundant and I'll be eligible to claim JSA for at least 6 months. Anybody know if this is true.

If I remember correctly it's not a clear-cut thing ... they would look at each case on its merits. So you should claim and get a decision which you ca appeal if you don't think it's reasonable. Hopefully someone more up to date with the law than me will be along in a minute!

You should be able to depending on meeting other criteria like savings etc.

Thanks.
So, I assume it will depend on how much my DH earns and how much my redundancy payout will be?

Also I think it based on savings.

Assuming you've paid enough NI conts yes you will be able to claim contribution-based JSA for 6 months - about £60 a week. After that it would be means-tested on your household incoem so you probably wouldn't qualify.

You can claim Contribution-based JSA:
This is a non-means-tested benefit and it is not affected by the amount of savings that you have any redundancy settlements or your partner's earnings. If there is another income, ie; part-time work while signing-on for JSA, or income from occupational or personal pensions and this income exceeds a certain limit, deductions will be made from the JSA. You can receive JSA (Conts) for 182 days .But remember that although redundancy isn't taken into account ,pay in lieu of notice is .If you get paid until the end of the month for example you cant receive and jsa until the time has expired.

You can make the claim either online or on the phone 0800 055 66 88 but personally I would use the phone as at least you get to talk to someone as you complete the form. You will get £65.45 per week.

You might want to look at the benefits adviser to check if there is anything else you can claim .

I'm not sure about the voluntary bit of your question, I think they mostly take the view nowadays that if SOMEONE would have been forced to go, then it doesn't matter if it's voluntary or not, but as far as PILON is concerned, they ignore it nowadays. You can claim straightaway and income/ savings don't affect contribution based JSA.

Give it a go

If you have brought unemployment upon yourself, which you have through applying for voluntary redundancy, then your JSA will usually be suspended while your case is investigated. Jobcentre Plus should write to your employer to check the situation and then a decision will be made.

Sometimes a form of wording is used in the redundancy letter so that you will be eligible for JSA straight away.

Also, any payment in lieu of notice will be considered.

If you decide to claim JSA you will need to be unemployed, available for work and actively looking for a job. If that is the case, you can sign on indefinitely, not just for 6 months. Benefit is paid on your NI contributions for the first 6 months and then is means tested on the family income / savings. If you continue to sign on you will count as unemployed in gov. stats and your NI stamp will be paid (although if you claim child benefit for a complete tax year and don't work in that year then the number of years you would need to have NI contributions for your pension is reduced appropriately).

Thanks, really helpful advice. I had thought that I would need to sign on so that at least my NI contributions are paid.

I have paid tax and NI for 24 years....so I guess I should be due something back and I most definately will be availble and actively looking for work....not to say I might enjoy a few months at home with my DDs first!

Oh, also you don't have to be available for full time work if you are caring for someone (your DDs).

If your DH is working I dont think you can claim anything. When I started work earning £160 per week my DP could no longer claim Job seekers