Voluntary redundancy and benefits

foolishqueen

Hello All,

I am considering asking for voluntary redundancy when details are released tomorrow by my employer tomorrow (compulsory ones have already started but I know I am safe) to allow me to make a fresh start closer to my partners family. It has been such a struggle over the past few years with 2 young boys to raise with little help.

I could only move if I had a cash injection from redundancy (probably about 13-15k) and was able to claim benefits whilst I looked for another job.

From a search on this and the redundancy forum, it seems that voluntary is not differentiated from compulsory in terms of redundancy, so it looks like claims for JSA/LHA/Council Tax Beneift would be unaffected (currently rent privtaely). I have been in my job for 7 years since leaving university.

What I could do with is people in similar situations or those in the know confirming one way or another?

Thanks.

karenx

Savings over 6k will be taken into account when applying for housing benefit/council tax benefit and JSA

dookar

foolishqueen wrote: »

From a search on this and the redundancy forum, it seems that voluntary is not differentiated from compulsory in terms of redundancy, so it looks like claims for JSA/LHA/Council Tax Beneift would be unaffected (currently rent privtaely).

Not quite. It is perfectly possible for a person to be sanctioned for taking voluntary redundancy under the leaving voluntarily rules.

Not sure if that's what you meant, but just making sure you're aware.

foolishqueen

Thanks for the replies. What sanctions apply for savings over £6k? I'll have a hunt around now to see if I can find anything out.

I have heard conflicting advice about the voluntary bit - people seem to say that rules were changed sometime ago to no longer take into account whether it was voluntary or not. I'm just trying to find out one way or another really.

Cheers.