Job Seekers Allowance Refused due to small pension

jalilley

My husband is to be made redundant at the end of July when the company closes. Some of his collegues have already been paid off and are telling those remaining that they have been refused JSA.
Theses employees are over 50 and were offered early retirement packages which they have taken. Job seekers have told them that even although they have paid the required NI to qualify for Contribution based JSA they are not to get any as they will have a pension income, they have however still to report every two weeks and give evidence of trying to find jobs!!
My husband (52) is in the same position and we are now considering whether to take the pension now as a result.
Can anyone tell me if this is correct that he would not be entitled to CB JSA. Many thanks

ceridwen

Hope you get a suitable answer on this. I just know the "capital" position - which is that the first 6 months of benefit is non means-tested. Couldnt say re whether the "pension" would count as income during the first 6 months - hopefully someone will come along that can clarify on that point...

I have the nasty feeling that even pension income would probably count as "income" during that time - but we'll wait for someone more knowledgeable to come along. I suspect that this may well be one of the cuts that has been made recently - ie that the benefit used to be payable for that first 6 months, regardless of "pension" income...but now no longer is....due to a cut....

We'll wait for someone more knowledgeable to come along to check for sure...

LindsayO

can your OH defer hid pension? would this help?

sammyjammy

You need to remember that Contribution based JSA is only paid for a max of six months, you need to consider the long term situation in deciding whether or not to take the pension not the short term.

Sam

getmore4less

jalilley wrote: »

My husband is to be made redundant at the end of July when the company closes. Some of his collegues have already been paid off and are telling those remaining that they have been refused JSA.
Theses employees are over 50 and were offered early retirement packages which they have taken. Job seekers have told them that even although they have paid the required NI to qualify for Contribution based JSA they are not to get any as they will have a pension income, they have however still to report every two weeks and give evidence of trying to find jobs!!
My husband (52) is in the same position and we are now considering whether to take the pension now as a result.
Can anyone tell me if this is correct that he would not be entitled to CB JSA. Many thanks

why?

if all they are getting is the NI credits for the OAP then they might not need to bother if they have enough allready.

Anyone know of another reason?