JSA and part time hours question

litlwren

Hi - my daughter is 23, single, no kids, and lives with her bf. She has been on JSA for a month and has been offered a part time job for 16 hours a week - but the jobcentre says if she takes it she'll have her JSA stopped as 16 hours is the cutoff - we though she could work up to 16 hours and still be eligible for her JSA?? She really wants a full time job and will keep on looking for one but they are few and far between around here

Can anyone confirm this about the 16 hours please??

deb0020

16 hours is the cut off for anyone claiming JSA or IS.

15 hours and 59 minutes is OK but then of course they will take the earnings into account. So depending on the amount she earns she could still have her JSA stopped.

Caz3121

I think that with under 16 hours you can work and lose your benefits £ for £ apart from £5. Even if the job is minimum wage I would think that 16 hours will pay more that her JSA. If in her position I would be tempted to take the part time job and carry on looking for a full time one, she will then be earning but still able to attend interviews etc...or maybe there would be an opportunity to increase hours in this job

litlwren

Many thanks - we just couldn't believe it when she was told that Now she's going to speak to the person about the job and see if 1) it can be more flexible now, and 2) if there is a chance of more hours in the future as you say Caz3121. Trouble is - as you all know - if you rock the boat even at this early stage they say "oh well never mind, there are lots more wanting this job....."

NASA_2

If the employer is flexible your daughter could ask to work 15 hours one week and 16 hours the next. When this is averaged out over the fortnight it will be less than 16 hours a week.

Little point though as there will be no additional money payable as has been mentioned.

c0113tt3

I agree with esa, try and negotiate with the employer around flexibility with the hours.

Im suprised no-one has mentioned about national insurance credits. If the job paid nmw or there abouts, then she would not be earning enough to pay ni credits, so depending on the importance of future state pension / elegibility to benefits, it is still in her interests to try and continue to sign on, if she can negotiate the average hours to be 15 hours and 59 mins or below.

Also after 3 months she will qualify for back to work bonus and after 6 months job grant / housing benefit / tax 4 week run on, for when she does eventually find work above 16 hours.

There is also a £10 disregard to her earnings due to living with her boyfriend.

tiptoes27

I am still confused. If i get made redundant, I will be looking for full or part time work, but someone has told me that I will not be eligible to claim JSA as I have worked less than 16 hours per week for the last three years? Is that right? seems very unfair as I have never claimed JSA before and have always paid my NI contributions. Anyone know the answer to this one? many thanks

dmg24

madcatwoman wrote: »

I am still confused. If i get made redundant, I will be looking for full or part time work, but someone has told me that I will not be eligible to claim JSA as I have worked less than 16 hours per week for the last three years? Is that right? seems very unfair as I have never claimed JSA before and have always paid my NI contributions. Anyone know the answer to this one? many thanks

If you have been paying NI Conts through your employment for the past few years you will qualify for CB JSA. If not, your IB JSA claim will be assessed on your household income.

tiptoes27

Thanks for that. So it has nothing to do with the hours I have been working then - thank goodness as I am worried it may take me some time to find another job.

alwaysonthego_2

madcatwoman wrote: »

Thanks for that. So it has nothing to do with the hours I have been working then - thank goodness as I am worried it may take me some time to find another job.

Though as DMG says you need have paid enough NI conts for previous 2 years.

tiptoes27

any ideas what counts as enough NI contributions? have to dig out P60 and check what I have paid.