Jobseekers allowance

Daffykjs

Sorry if these are stupid questions.

But can you get jobseekers allowance if you quit a job, rather than got made redundant or sacked?

And if you haven't been paying enough (or any) NI but your wife earns an ok wage, can you get it at all?

Oh and if you can under these circumstances, how long will it take to start recieving it?

I think i know the answers to these but I'm hoping I'm wrong and there's a light in there somewhere.

Thanks

GotToChange

You are right, you probably do know the answers -

The NI issue is key - as is the fact that your wife earns an 'OK' wage - you don't mention children, do I assume you haven't any?

Your NI payments during the two previous full tax years (I think, although happy be corrected) so 2007-2008 and 2006-2007 are the ones that will matter - and then only for the Contributions based JSA to which you may then be entitled regradless of wife's income. You would not receive Income-based I think.

Again doubtful, but does the loss of your wage put you in a position to be eligible for Tax Credits? (Again, dependent on your wife's income, which may put you over the threshold. And your earnings in previous year, although this year can be estimated with lower houshold income.)

But you probably know all of this.

Daffykjs

Brilliant!! Thank you!

I'm the wife and I'm asking on behalf of my husband! He works away and his job really isn't working out. he's looking for a job back home whilst there but is struggling to find anything and has limited time to look. So I was considering the possibility of him just quitting and coming home to look for a job here instead. But the NI is an issue, coz he doesn't earn over the threshold for it!

We're on a DMP so limited already and this would obviously lower our payments to creditors. with JSA it would probably still be doable, without i'm not sure it would be enough to be accepted.

Oh and you're right, no kids (just 3 cats and a dog!) and what's the threshold for my wages? (I'm sure i'm probably over it!)

Thanks again

GotToChange

Hi - you're welcome.
I understand now. The thing is that "giiving up" the job would anyway affect his entitlement to either type of JSA, although he could plead mitigating circumstances. This is one of those times where hindiight is wonderful - he must have been earning a pretty tragic amount to be below the NI threshold (I think it used top be around £100 ish) but nevertheless, he could make NI Contributions voluntarily, particularly as they do affect later-life pensions ands such.
Truthfully, I am not sure of the threshold for a couple who find their income substantially lowered - £15,000 ish rings a bell for an individual but other than that I would just be guessing. Again, this years income can be used for the assessment rather than last years if that makes it more likely that you would receive them.
The staff on their helpline are fabulous in my experience but may be busy with renewals, try giving them a call.

Snakeeyes21

Dont forget if he quits his job he will get a sanction of between 2 and 26 weeks where he will be unable to claim jsa.
depending on your wage he may be able to recieve hardship payments if he recieves a sanction

Daffykjs

Brilliant! Thanks again! I think we're just going to have to sit tight until he gets a new job! As I suspected!