JSA - Why can't I claim?

rb6k

I put a claim in for JSA because I have recently had my probation terminated by my employer, and they have rung me today to say that because my OH is receiving 470 a month in Statutory Maternity Pay we are ineligible. I can't claim on my contribution because I wasn't working between 06-07 (I was on a university course) though I was working 03-05, 07-08 and 08-09 which apparently doesn't matter! Our outgoings exceed our income by about £200 now and as such we are in trouble because whilst I am signed up to all the local agencies, and calling people for work, nothing is coming my way!

Things will be ok for about a month, but once Mays bills come around we are ruined. What can I do?! I can't get any "holidays" on our loans, we have cancelled all our unneccesary bills. Is it really right that bloody 470+child benefits and working tax credits is enough to live off? Its not!

I need help.

GlasweJen

Your class 1 NI has to have been paid for continous years, not stopped and started again for you to get CBJSA.

Your OH's income is more than the DWP calculate that a couple needs to live on so you can't get IBJSA.

You may get a small amount of local housing allowance/council tax benefit; you should put your details into https://www.entitledto.com.

rb6k

Jibbajabba wrote: »

The previous 2 tax years are the only ones that are taken into account for contribution based benefits irrespective how many years you have worked in the past. When did you put in your claim for JSA? We are now in a new tax year and if you paid enough NI in 07/08 and 08/09 which I think (maybe wrong) are the one's they will now look at then re-applying might help.

Do you really think they are messing me around over which day of the week I claimed? Outrageous if they are! They could have the decency to say "claim next week, you will be eligible" as I have definitely paid NI 07-08 and 08-09 april-april. Thats great help, I will check on this, because when she said past 2 I thought "Hold on, 2 back is 07-08 but didn't have time to question her as she was making me late for an interview.

ALIBOBSY

Sorry JJ thats not right. The benefit year runs from near the start of Jan usually around the 4th ish for 52 or 53 weeks depending if a leap year. The ni years are the 2 full tax years prior to the benefit year you claim in. This means to move onto the tax years 07/08 and 08/09 it would need to be a claim after jan 2010.
Defo contact your local council about council tax benefit and housing benefit based on low income.

If you are on a mortgage perhaps go to interest only if not already?

Pay priority debts first ie mort/rent, council tax, gas/electric and food. Everything else will have to wait. This may mean your credit rating takes a hit, but it may be unavoidable.

Firstly though you are on the right website, £200 doesn't sound alot to trim off your expenditure. Post a SOA on the debt forums and you will get plenty of tips to help cut down.

Good luck with the job hunt and everything else.

ali x

rb6k

I called and checked. Apparently they run Jan-Jan and I wasn't working Jan 07-Jan 08 it was something like March 07-Jan 08 then Jan 08 - Jan 09- Jan 09 - Today (just been paid)

So because my 2 years does not fit into their 2 years the cheating ************s can't give me anything right?

rb6k

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

Sorry JJ thats not right. The benefit year runs from near the start of Jan usually around the 4th ish for 52 or 53 weeks depending if a leap year. The ni years are the 2 full tax years prior to the benefit year you claim in. This means to move onto the tax years 07/08 and 08/09 it would need to be a claim after jan 2010.
Defo contact your local council about council tax benefit and housing benefit based on low income.

If you are on a mortgage perhaps go to interest only if not already?

Pay priority debts first ie mort/rent, council tax, gas/electric and food. Everything else will have to wait. This may mean your credit rating takes a hit, but it may be unavoidable.

Firstly though you are on the right website, £200 doesn't sound alot to trim off your expenditure. Post a SOA on the debt forums and you will get plenty of tips to help cut down.

Good luck with the job hunt and everything else.

ali x

I know 200 sounds minimal, but we are talking 3 loans a phone we are stuck in, internet we are stuck in and thats it. Its shocking how 5 simple bills have been thrown about by this. Would T Mobile bills effect a credit rating? Obviously the loans take precedent.

Jibbajabba

Thanks Alibobsy, sorry to rb6k but good luck.

dmg24

rb6k wrote: »

I called and checked. Apparently they run Jan-Jan and I wasn't working Jan 07-Jan 08 it was something like March 07-Jan 08 then Jan 08 - Jan 09- Jan 09 - Today (just been paid)

So because my 2 years does not fit into their 2 years the cheating ************s can't give me anything right?

I trust you do not speak to people at the JCP in this way?

Your income is higher than if you were eligible for benefits. It is not a great amount, but if you cut back as much as possible, it is possible to live off this amount. If you post your SOA on the Debt Free Wanabee board, they will help you trim your outgoings as much as possible. For ideas on other ways to cut back, the Old Style board is very helpful.

rb6k

dmg24 wrote: »

I trust you do not speak to people at the JCP in this way?

Your income is higher than if you were eligible for benefits. It is not a great amount, but if you cut back as much as possible, it is possible to live off this amount. If you post your SOA on the Debt Free Wanabee board, they will help you trim your outgoings as much as possible. For ideas on other ways to cut back, the Old Style board is very helpful.

Thanks, no I don't talk to them like that haha, I was polite and quiet, thanked them for their time and let them end the call. But inside I am fuming, more at myself I guess!

rb6k

Where do I put the SOA? I looked in the debt free bit and can't see anyone elses... Sorry im not very used to this site.

Jibbajabba

rb6k wrote: »

Where do I put the SOA? I looked in the debt free bit and can't see anyone elses... Sorry im not very used to this site.

A lot of people just start a new thread in DFW stating their situation with the SOA. The folks on that forum are amazing and will give good advice and support.