Signing on - Why bother

LyndaP

I have been unemployed since last July. (Redundancy was not due to the credit crunch). I have been claiming contribution based Jobseekers Allowance but that is only payable for 6 months. I don't qualify for means tested JSA as my husband is still in work (thank goodness) and we have some savings although they are being used up on living expenses. My NI is paid automatically as I receive child benefit so that is not a reason to continue to sign on.

I have a couple of grips - contribution based JSA is based on the fact that I have been in work for the last TWO years. It takes no account of the fact that I have been in continous full time employment for the last THIRTY years, since I left school.

Secondly, if I and many others stop signing once they no longer qualify for JSA then that gives false unemployment figures to the government and I think they need to know just how many people are truly unemployed.

I signed on last week although I received no benefits. It was incredibly busy and I had to wait. I then got a trainee who was not very pleasant and scruffy - normally the staff are fine. The staff only have time to do the basic checks to ensure I still qualify for any "benefits". They have no time for counselling.

I am curious to know what others on this forum think about this. I was receiving £60 per week which did help a little.

Thanks for reading this.
Lynda

pupsicola

You have worked really hard and solidly for the past 32 plus years. All you are doing by signing on is claiming what is righfully yours when you need it the most.

I dont think many people are going to worry about goverment figures at this time. How much do you trust those figures anyway? The goverment doesn't really have any idea how many immigrants are in this country claiming illegally. So those figures probably dont reflect the true situation anyway.

Just my opinion, feel free to ignore it

Sarah

LyndaP

Thanks for your comments.

Unfortunately I am unable to claim anything else at the moment so do I sign off and then back on again when I might qualify for something? Just feel agreived that JSA only takes account of last 2 years and not last 30 years of employment when calculating my contribution based entitlement. It is only £60 per week but could make a difference to us.

sassygirl_2

Are you claiming working tax credit and child tax credit? Also you may qualify for housing benefit depending on your household income :0)

BuddyBonthenet

Job Seekers Allowance is meant to tide you over until you find another job and that's why it is only payable for a fixed time. But if you are looking for work then I would push for an appointment to see your Personal Adviser to see what help can be offered as they might be able to refer you to a 3rd party partner than can offer you more support in finding a new job.

LyndaP

sassygirl wrote: »

Are you claiming working tax credit and child tax credit? Also you may qualify for housing benefit depending on your household income :0)

Hello Sassygirl
Yes, I get child tax credit. but that is all.
Lynda

LizzieS_2

OK you get no further cash benefits, NI is paid for you anyway, there is one other point - I think signing on gives you additional help with finding employment.

BuddyBonthenet

LizzieS wrote: »

OK you get no further cash benefits, NI is paid for you anyway, there is one other point - I think signing on gives you additional help with finding employment.

I agree - that's the point I was making too.

Sometimes you don't get offered all the help available to find a new job if you don't ask (it shouldn't be that way, but unfortunately sometimes it is). If you give the impression you don't need help finding work the Jobcentre staff may not focus on this until you hit certain review dates.