Job Seekers allowance - reveal all savings?

chris057

Do I have to reveal full amount of ALL savings/investments/PEPs/ISAs or can I just tell them an aprox figure eg £50k - how accurate does it have to be? For security reasons, dont want to reveal all this private and confidential info.

Just been made redundant - have been told I am entitled to contribution based JSA for 6 months even though getting a co. pension (???).

All advice/tips/info greatly appreciated - thanks in advance.
Chris057

CIS

They'll want to know everything, it ensures there'll be no future problems, security issues don't come in to - if they request it, you need to supply it.

slinks

sorry if you don't agree, but it seems rather unfair that someone with savings/investments/PEPs/ISAs etc should even be entitled to JSA??

i thought benefits were meant to be for people who NEEDED them?

it seems that you may not be entitled anyway let alone need them if ur worried about delcaring all your 'incomes'

Chrysalis

contribution based isnt means tested and shouldnt apply on that.

ilikewatchingtv

chris057 wrote:

Do I have to reveal full amount of ALL savings/investments/PEPs/ISAs or can I just tell them an aprox figure eg £50k - how accurate does it have to be? For security reasons, dont want to reveal all this private and confidential info.

Just been made redundant - have been told I am entitled to contribution based JSA for 6 months even though getting a co. pension (???).

All advice/tips/info greatly appreciated - thanks in advance.
Chris057

If your total savings are over 16K you almost certainly won't be entitled to Income Based JSA, and if you're applying for contribution based JSA you won't have to reveal any info about your savings, - about the only "money related" info they'll ask for is:
Social security benefits or help with mobility recieved by anyone in your household.
Information about any occupational pension income you may recieve.


The only time you may be asked about savings is:
A: if you live in an area where benefit claims are made through a contact centre, - in this case, on your initial call you will be asked if you have savings over 16K, - if you answer yes, then this will identify that you aren't entitled to income based JSA and you will be asked no further questions about it.
Or:
B: If you live in an area where benefit claims are made through a contact centre and you wish to claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit - these are means tested, so you almost certainly won't be entitled to these anyway.

- Hope that helps!

chris057

Thanks for all your comments - just to clarify, I have to 'sign on' for JSA in order to get my NI 'stamp' paid - or I will not get full state pension.

After initial contact, I mentioned that savings more than £16k also that I am receiving a pension.

I will be telephoned again and have to answer several questions incl. details about savings/investments etc incl amounts which I am wary about revealing. Do they check up on this info?

Please advise.
Thanks again
Chris057

pink_phantom

They can ask you to provide documentary evidencew which you don't have to supply but it will affect your claim if you don't.

ilikewatchingtv

chris057 wrote:

I will be telephoned again and have to answer several questions incl. details about savings/investments etc incl amounts which I am wary about revealing. Do they check up on this info?

- I am absolutely 100% certain that if you are only claiming contribution based JSA (which is all you will be entitled to with >16K savings) and you are NOT putting in a claim for any local authority benefits (Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit - neither of which are likely to be able to get with >16K savings) then you will not be asked ANY further details about your savings when Jobcentre Plus phone you back, - to clarify this, when the First Contact Officer does phone back, ask them to confirm that your claim is for Contribution Based JSA, NOT Income Based JSA. The Officer that you spoke to on the initial call probably just slipped up by telling you to have savings info ready when you don't, - either that or they have mistakenly put you forward for an Income Based claim, - in which case ask them to rebuild the case as a Contribution Based only claim and re-book your "Callback".

Looking_after_the_pennies_2

Hi Chris

my OH was in exactly the same position as you a while ago. He refused to supply any info on savings and investments, and received his contribution based JSA as he was entitled to, without any problems

healy

If your pension is over £50 per week your contribution based JSA will be reduced penny for penny above the £50.

lil_me

They can get details of all savings anyway. A friend of mine was investigated last month they had all her bank statements going back 3 years and all details of all savings accounts, ISAs, the lot.