Made redundant - when should I claim JSA

tiptoes27

Hi
I have just been made redundant effective from 17th July. I am being paid three weeks redundancy payment (tax free) and also a tax free 'termination' payment which is effectively payment in lieu of notice.

I am not sure when I should contact the job centre as I am 50 and have never claimed anything before. My husband works full time and we have two adult children living at home so I presume I can claim contribution based JSA for six months, but what happens if i have not found a job within that time? also if I am claiming JSA can I get free prescriptions and dental treatment or any other benefits. My husbands income has dropped by 25% net over the last year due to lack of overtime in his job so things will be very tight money wise. Many thanks

p00hsticks

I'm not an expert, but my understanding is....

You should put in a claim for JSA as soon as your employment finishes.

If you haven't found work within six months, when your contributions based JSA finishes, then you can be considered for income based JSA, but this is means tested and if your husband is working full time it's unlikely that you'll be eligible for it.

I don't believe you get free prescriptions etc with contributions based JSA, only if you are eligible for income based JSA.

cyn52

NO free prescriptions etc. just jsa. i tried to claim for dental work? for an accident involing some boxe's hitting me in the face. the company i worked for has gone for good so has my claim. no smile no job it seems for me.