Been Made Redundant

ceridwen

dave4545454 wrote: »

you should be able to get JSA as long as your visible savings are under 16k

...and even if savings are over £16k one can - but for the first 6 months only.

As I understand it - one can get JSA for an initial 6 month period (subject to having enough NI stamps paid recently) regardless of what savings one has. Its at Month 7 - if you're still unemployed - that they start means-testing the benefit. So - if someone was only 6 months from retirement anyway - then they wouldnt have to worry. 7 months or more - worry time...

Total_Chunk

By all means, enjoy your time off!

My partner was made redundant on 22nd Dec (2009) and it was a huge shock and I'll tell you what I told him: keep your ear to the ground because you'd be foolish to let a great job pass you by even if you are fine for money for a few months.

I currently earn £12k a year so I have no idea how on earth we're going to live off my wages once his redundancy pay is gone

roger196

For an outline go to www.directgov.uk and search on JSA. You will be interested in JSA income based. Watch out that you are not caught out by the capital limit. I think this is now £16,000 but I would suggest you check this figure. Try and find the more detailed guide to JSA on www.dwp.gov.uk under "decision makers guide" for advisers. read volumes 4 to 7. A very good cure for insomnia.
College fees tend to be only reduced for certain income means tested benefits (eg child tax credit can still be paid on incomes over £50,000, which IMO is not deserving poor). You need to check by ringing the relevant college and asking them to confirm in writing or sending a leaflet which explains this..