Just been made redundant. Would I be eligible for jobseekers allowance?

[lynniep]

I know theres a form online to fill out, but I'm just asking if anyone knows in general what the criteria is? Am still in shock. DH just said 'well now you're eligible for jobseekers allowance'

We earn a decent amount (DH's earnings take us above what we'd need to keep getting child benefit) We've never claimed any benefits before.

Any first thoughts?(sorry, having a bit of a panic here - can't quite believe this has happened!)

Yes, you should qualify for 6 months contributions-based JS on the basis of your NI record. Family income isn't taken into account for that.

Its quite complicated because of the notice period payments...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. There is a contributions-based one isn't there so you should get that I imagine.

Please please do let me know if I can help in anyway, happy to help with CV or whatever if that would be useful at all.

Contributions based JSA will be payable regardless of household income, but might be abated to allow for exact terms of the redundancy (eg payments in lieu of notice). Income based JSA will depend on household income and if DH is HRT, you're probably ineligible. But unless you are receiving HRP (which current CB recipients will be getting), you'll need to sign on for NI credits.

It may be easiest to go through it on the phone, and the adviser can make an appointment for you at your local Job Centre, as that's the most convenient way to show relevant supporting documents.

I have just been made redundant and am able to claim - howeve rjust got a letter through from them saying that as I was a full time student I'm not eligible for the past 2 weeks money haven't been a student in 5 years

Ring the new claims line on 0800 055 66 88 and go through the claim form with an officer from Jobcentreplus. They wont tell you if you will definitely receive jobseekers but this call starts the process off.
If you have paid first class National insurance payments in the years 07/08-08/09 then you are likely to get a fortnightly payment.If your redundancy terms or payments affect your jobseekers you will get a letter telling you about this and what to do next.
At the moment jobseekers will be £130.90 per fortnight. This is for yourself only. It will be payable for 182 days and then it will stop.
Hopefully in 6 months time you will have found alternative employment.

Thanks for the advice and the information. I'll call when we get back from holiday - we're off to Butlins via legoland tommorrow (will be having my redundancy meeting whilst I'm there over the phone - oh joy)

I'm still a bit disbelieving - I've only been back 8 weeks after maternity and they gave me a pay rise on my return - so I really wasnt expecting this - nor was anyone else apparently.

I shall also start looking for work when I get back - there are a decent number of jobs out there in my field - some even locally, although the pay will be considerably less as I was working from home but the job was based in London. The flexible/part-time working may be harder to find though, and I will not work full time whilst DS2 is still so little.

Flowery thanks so much. Once I've got my CV updated I might email it to you if thats ok. Its been a few years since I last looked at it!