Job Seekers' Allowance - I'm Even Worse Off Than I Thought!

Tobiwan_Kenobi

I thought I'd had a little victory yesterday - 4 weeks after signing on I chased what was going on with my claim. At last I was told that they would be posting me a letter "confirming my entitlement to JSA". Superb!

I dropped in the Job Centre today to get written confirmation of this as I need it for another claim. There I was told that I'm only receiving NI contributions and that's it. Rather unhappy, I asked for an explanation... Apparently because I've only been a limited company for the last 14 months I haven't been on PAYE long enough despite paying all my NICs whilst self-employed. That being the case, I was told my wife earns too much for me to qualify - She earns £6k a year!!!

I've been paying my way in this country for the last 19 years and when I actually need something back I receive diddly squat. I hate what this government has done to this country :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: . I better stop typing now before obscenities come flooding from my fingertips!

k2nga

Yeah this Government is very good at saying you can get things that when you apply for you cant.

I like the way they say they encourage you to start businesses and the like but then when it goes wrong they say on yer bike but they would have loved raking in the taxes if all businesses did very well.

I cant wait till next year when i can have a say with a cross on a voting paper.

Tobiwan_Kenobi

I'm writing a letter to Tony McNulty (Head of DWP) right now to ask his advice, after all he seems fairly adept at gaining allowances ;-)

headoutofsand

I would of thought you would get income based JSA, that's what I got.

I had the business 9 years and only paid the normal stamp, I was a sole trader though perhaps this is why it's different in your case

NewStart09

What is the difference in benifits if you pay 2nd class rather than first?

I am just starting this and with the possible extended recession, I don't want to screw myself later by being cheap now!

Thanks for all replies in advance

NewStart09

rog2

Tobiwan_Kenobi wrote: »

I dropped in the Job Centre today to get written confirmation of this as I need it for another claim. There I was told that I'm only receiving NI contributions and that's it. Rather unhappy, I asked for an explanation... Apparently because I've only been a limited company for the last 14 months I haven't been on PAYE long enough despite paying all my NICs whilst self-employed.

I know excactly how you feel, TK. I was told the same thing after religiously signing on for about three months. When I asked how to appeal, they told me it would not be worth trying - my wife was earning just less than £12k, so I qualified for nothing, zilch, nada. :mad: :mad: :mad:

They told me that I should sell the house (we were negociating with trustee to 'uy' my BI at the time). I told them that I was not satisfied with the level of help or adsvice that I was being offered and they told me that "this interview is now terminated".

The best part was that, at the same time, at the desk next to the one where I was bein interviewed was a man in a wheelchair, with one arm and a leg in plaster, and wearing a surgical collar. He had come in to query a letter that he had received stating that, in their opinion, he was now completely fit for work. As the office is open plan, I could not help but overhear the 'clerk' telling him that the letter was right and that his benefits would be stopped.

Words simply failed me - hence the fact that I am working at ASDA - earning a pittance, until I either find suitable employment or get back into business on my own again.

Help for those out of work - who's kidding who? :mad: :mad: :mad:

rog2

headoutofsand wrote: »

I would of thought you would get income based JSA, that's what I got.

That's what I was told, initially, by the job centre staff. I had been limited company for 12 years and sole trader for 8 years. Paid NI stamp + additional NI through self-assessment.

Tobiwan_Kenobi

I was a sole trader (paying NICs) until December 2007, then limited company until February 2009 (on PAYE). They said my OH earns to much (£6k) for me to have any entitlement. :mad:

headoutofsand

Tobiwan_Kenobi wrote: »

I was a sole trader (paying NICs) until December 2007, then limited company until February 2009 (on PAYE). They said my OH earns to much (£6k) for me to have any entitlement. :mad:

You may be entilted to housing benefi, council tax benefit, WTC and various other stuff.

Is the 6k after tax?

Tobiwan_Kenobi

We've applied for Council Tax Benefit and we have the tax credits.

The 6k is total invoiced before expenses - It's tax free up to £6k anyway.

I've

Tobiwan_Kenobi

Well I have BBC reporter coming around tomorrow to interview me for Radio 5Live - They're getting ready for the new jobless totals to be announced next Wednesday. It will be quite good to get my story told, as I reckon I will mention my BR.

I will also be referring to my two letters to the Minister of DWP, Tony McNulty, that remain unanswered - I feel like Joanna Lumley (although I don't look like her!)