Benefits after redundancy?

[PetticoatLaine]

I am trying to make contingency plans if the worst happens.

I know I will be made redundant at sometime during the next 3 years, worst case from the start of next financial year, best case Dec 2020. I work on the charity / grant funded sector so no big payout - statutory plus a bit.

I am currently 61 years old. State pension not accessible until I am 66. DP self employed, earns about £100 a week atm. Mortgage paid off, we have one remaining DC at home, they will turn 18 next summer.

NI paid for the last 20 years or so.

I will of course work hard to get another job, but I need to be realistic. I won't get another job like mine in my sector - those jobs go to sparky up and coming young people - as they should, but I am prepared to take any job to keep money coming in, as I need to keep building my paltry pension pot if possible.

Will I be entitled to JSA? Any other benefits? I tried to do the online calculator on the gvt website but didn't want to put my personal details on, which it requires you to do.

Anyone?

In the next 3 years? It'll be UC you're on. Everyone will be on UC by then. Your partner needs to step up and get a real job and the two of you save like mad because UC is shit. Do the best you can to get another job now.

I would expect you to at least get some jobseekers allowance. Part is based on whether you have paid NI and part is based on income/capital.
The job centre is probably a good place to go for information.

You can claim jsa. How long have you been with that employer. You may not get enhanced terms but statutory payout increases by age and length of service, plus notice and accrued leave. It may be more beneficial for them to offer early retirement instead of redundancy.

It's UC within 3 years, people, not JSA. In fact, the OP would do well to look on her council's website as she might already be in a full-service UC area or in an area where all new claims are UC. All the benefits will be under UC.

Thank you.
Yes, we are in a full UC area.
And not eligible. We have been saving for retirement (neither of us have work pension schemes beyond what the law required and what we have topped that up with as best we can) so it seems there are no longer any contribution based benefits only means tested.
So spending my retirement savings would be necessary.
Unless I shunt my savings into my pension, which seems a bit dishonest.
New job at all costs.

Can your partner not get a job, too? It's nice to be self-employed but if he's only bringing in £400/month is it really feasible for that to continue? But yeah, I'd get another job as soon as possible, UC will award you FA or close to it.

It would not be ‘a bit dishonest’ to look at the implications of using some savings towards increasing your pension. In fact it would be a sensible thing to do, but take expert advice on the best way to do this.

I was made redundant in a UC area. I received £73 a week contributions based job seekers and had to attend job centre once a week to confirm job hunting. The job centre will confirm how many weeks you will receive money before savings are taken into account. I was fortunate to get a new job quickly. If you think you will be made redundant, suggest save and start looking for a new job. However, each person's individual circumstances will be taken into account at the job centre.

What I found was no job, but the bills still kept coming in...

You may find your many years of experience and wisdom will help you get temp admin work in the public sector. I was impressed at how they welcomed more mature seasoned applicants. It has led me back into some interesting permanent roles that would have been hard to find otherwise