Contribution based JSA

redz

claire0208 wrote: »

Yes I clearly don't know about the benefit system

Looks like the person you spoke to at the Jobcentre doesn't either. You aren't entitled to JSA(Conts) but not for the reason they stated.

As Dookar stated above the tax years run from April to March and benefit years run from the first Sunday in January and end on the Saturday before the first Sunday in January of the next year.
To be eligible for contribution based JSA you need to fulfil two criteria. You need to have paid sufficient Class 1 contributions in either of the two tax years preceding the benefit year in which you are claiming and have paid class 1 conts. or been credited with employment for the whole of those two tax years. In your situation, you meet the first criteria but fail the second.

The second criteria is also a reason why it is a good idea to continue signing on to receive NI credits only.

claire0208

Thanks again for the replies - I do now understand the reasons I don't qualify I just wish I'd been advised of this when I left work. I'm not sure it would've changed my decision to stay at home with my son for a bit but at least I would've been clearer about entitlements.
I know people who've never worked aren't entited to contribution based JSA I just have a chip on my shoulder about the system in general in this country. My best friend has never worked and had everything paid for - university fees, childcare etc while I always seem to end up being penalised for doing things the right way and not trying to cheat the system,
Claire

Oldernotwiser

claire0208 wrote: »

My best friend has never worked and had everything paid for - university fees,

Nobody has university fees paid for them; everybody has to take out a loan.

Jomo

claire0208 wrote: »

Thanks again for the replies - I do now understand the reasons I don't qualify I just wish I'd been advised of this when I left work. I'm not sure it would've changed my decision to stay at home with my son for a bit but at least I would've been clearer about entitlements.
I know people who've never worked aren't entited to contribution based JSA I just have a chip on my shoulder about the system in general in this country. My best friend has never worked and had everything paid for - university fees, childcare etc while I always seem to end up being penalised for doing things the right way and not trying to cheat the system,
Claire

This is what is wrong with the system on the whole, it is very complicated and seems to favour those that haven't contributed ever.

claire0208

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Nobody has university fees paid for them; everybody has to take out a loan.

Hi - She may have gone before 'fees' were properly implemented as it was about 5 years ago ish but she got full grants, hardship funds, childcare fees paid and that I know for a fact!! She passed no gcses had kids at 16 and 18 lived on benefits until she was 25 then went to college and uni fully funded by the tax payer!!
On the other hand I went to university at 18 had a child while there and have thousands of pounds of student loan debt (used to pay childcare costs) because I didn't qualify for any grants or help as I hadn't lived away from m parents for longer than 3 years - that is the criteria they base help on!! I do know what I'm talking about on this one - the system in this county is highly unfair and hopefully will change soon!
Claire.

claire0208

Jomo wrote: »

This is what is wrong with the system on the whole, it is very complicated and seems to favour those that haven't contributed ever.

Thanks - its true - I do believe this country doesn't value or help the people it shouldin society - the benefits system is flawed on so many levels.
Claire.

redz

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Nobody has university fees paid for them; everybody has to take out a loan.

Not true. Anyone who is eligible for a maintenance grant or a special support grant to assist with living expenses and are charged full fees is also guaranteed at least the minimum bursary to assist with fees.

Oldernotwiser

redz wrote: »

Not true. Anyone who is eligible for a maintenance grant or a special support grant to assist with living expenses and are charged full fees is also guaranteed at least the minimum bursary to assist with fees.

The university bursary isn't given to help with fees but with living costs.

Oldernotwiser

claire0208 wrote: »

Hi - She may have gone before 'fees' were properly implemented as it was about 5 years ago ish but she got full grants, hardship funds, childcare fees paid and that I know for a fact!! She passed no gcses had kids at 16 and 18 lived on benefits until she was 25 then went to college and uni fully funded by the tax payer!!
On the other hand I went to university at 18 had a child while there and have thousands of pounds of student loan debt (used to pay childcare costs) because I didn't qualify for any grants or help as I hadn't lived away from m parents for longer than 3 years - that is the criteria they base help on!! I do know what I'm talking about on this one - the system in this county is highly unfair and hopefully will change soon!
Claire.

As a student advisor I also know the system well.

A system that encourages a lone parent who achieved poorly at school to return to university when they're older seems to me to be highly laudable. The inequality that you're talking about is because your friend went to university earlier than you did, before fees were introduced. If she started after 1996 then she, also, will have student loans, although not for as much as you do.

claire0208

We'll have to agree to disagree - all the system your describing does is encourage people who couldn't be bothered to do the work at school and go on to have children and live off the state for 8 years - then you can go to university without having to sit A-levels etc -what does that tell young people. I went to school stuck in got good gcses and alevels and went to university at 18 in 1995. I will never agree that anyone who hasn't gone through A-levels should go to university.
My friend went to university in around 2002 and NO she doesn't have any loans - EVERYTHING was paid for - why would I make it up. She was on income support and a 'lone' parent as her partner didn't live with her so as to maximise benefits!
The whole system is wrong in my opinion.