Looking for work - jobseekers allowance....

[AnonymousBird]

I haven't done a huge amount of detailed research yet, but on a quick look at direct.gov, it seems you need to be available to work for 40+ hours a week in order to qualify for JSA..... really? Even most full time jobs are 35 hours a week, so if you want to seek any form of "regular" full time post or even slightly reduced hours or part time work, you have no entitlement to JSA at all???

Or have I completely got the wrong end of the stick.

TIA.

do you have DC's as this makes a difference - I put down less hours and also only travelling up to an hour - are you claiming other benifits or just JSA as I was only claiming contributory (DH is working) and I think they might be a bit less strict

I have 2 DC of full time school age.
I only receive child benefit. I have not worked for 3 years but prior to that worked full time for 15 years so have loads of NI "in the bank" so to speak.

DH works full time (and is fairly well paid - that may be to my disadvantage if trying to claim JSA whilst I look for work?)

Basically correct, AnonymousBird. You also have to be available at very short notice (I think 24 hrs).

At this risk of boring, this is why people who are being deemed fit to work and therefore ineligible for ESA (sick/disability benefit) are simultaneously being deemed ineligible for JSA (because they're not well enough to work a 40 hour week).

NI "in the bank" unlikely to be any good to you.

They quietly narrowed the qualifying criteria, so iiuc it now has to be so many credits in the last 2 years.

When I was claiming JSA last year I needed to be available for full time work but full time work was considered to be anything over 16 hours a week.

You won't be able to claim I think as you have had to paid NI contributions in the last 2 years or so - its is "only" 65 pounds a week anyway

Hello I claim jobseekers I have a child who is 7 and I also get child tax I'm a lone parent