Help with Contribution Based jobseekers allowance

jojeba

I'm a NZer on an ancestry visa, and I've been living in the UK for over five years, working and paying taxes. I was made redundant a few months ago and have struggled to find constant work since. I can't claim public funds, which is understandable - but I recently found I can claim "contribution-based" jobseekers allowance... effectively this means I can claim back some of the National Insurance I've been paying all these years (although max £60 per week, so not as much as income-based jobseeker's allowance).

What disappointed me is that I had chronic tooth pain and found out I needed a root canal, which under NHS was still going to cost me £195.
If I was an income-based jobseeker I would be exempt. As I am contribution-based, I don't get any help with this.
My dentist suggested I try and apply for an HC1 form, which helps with health costs (I can pay it, and then claim it back) - but I also found that I can only get this as an income-based jobseeker.

What I don't understand is how I can pay my way for so long, and I am desperate to work (have even been handing flyers out in local cafes!), but I am unable to pay my rent... yet the only way I will get any help is if I was sponging off the taxpayer! I don't want the government to prop me up, I just can't believe there is no contribution-based health support....

It's so frustrating. Has anyone else had any experience with this? Is there any other avenue I can go down? At present I don't have £195 (I am £6000 in debt from paying rent etc with no income!) so am suffering with toothache for now.

Indie_Kid

jojeba wrote: »

My dentist suggested I try and apply for an HC1 form, which helps with health costs (I can pay it, and then claim it back) - but I also found that I can only get this as an income-based jobseeker.

This is untrue:
You can fill the form in if you don't get income based benefits.

Amistoso_2

you do have to be on an income based benefit to be eligible for this help.
Please don't complain that you've "paid in all these years" when it's only 5 years, hardly a lifetime and you are getting conts based JSA so not exactly getting nothing back...

Oldernotwiser

Regarding dentistry, you are in exactly the same situation as a British citizen in having to pay for some dental treatment.

In addition, income based JSA is exactly the same amount as contributions based and you don't take your own contributions out of the system. Yhese have paid benefitsto others whilst you were working, just as your JSA is paid for by current workers.

As you're living here now, it might be a good idea to understand how UK systems work!

jojeba

Amistoso wrote: »

you do have to be on an income based benefit to be eligible for this help.
Please don't complain that you've "paid in all these years" when it's only 5 years, hardly a lifetime and you are getting conts based JSA so not exactly getting nothing back...

Amistoso, I don't appreciate you belittling me. I never said I was getting nothing back. Yes it does frustrate me how the benefit culture rewards those who don't want to work and neglects those who want to work and don't want to receive taxpayer support, but I also appreciate any help that I can get, in terms of money I have at least earned myself over the years.

Oldernotwiser - thank you, I appreciate that clarification. I am only going by what I've been told by the Jobcentres! I had never planned nor anticipated having to claim anything when I moved to the UK, it's only now that the recession has turned everything on its head that I've found myself in this position. So I'm still learning.

Based on what SH1305 helpfully told me, I called another person at the Jobcentre, who said were wrong to tell me I could not receive the HC1, and that in actual fact I can.

Thank you to SH1305 for your (non-judgemental) help.

x

Amistoso_2

think you may be mistaken OP, bellow is the qualifying criteria for help

when the treatment starts or when
the charge is made you:

• get or are included in an award
of someone getting:
– Income Support
– Income-based Jobseeker’s
Allowance (Incapacity Benefit
or Disability Living Allowance
do not count as they are not
income-related)
– Income-related Employment and
Support Allowance
– Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid
NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• are named on a valid HC2 certificate.

Partial help: if you are named on a
valid HC3 certificate you might get
some help towards the cost of your
NHS dental treatment.

and has already been stated, you aren't being treated any differently to anyone else on CB JSA, and I didn't belittle you, think you may be a tad over sensitive

jojeba

Amistoso wrote: »

think you may be mistaken OP, bellow is the qualifying criteria for help

when the treatment starts or when
the charge is made you:

• get or are included in an award
of someone getting:
– Income Support
– Income-based Jobseeker’s
Allowance (Incapacity Benefit
or Disability Living Allowance
do not count as they are not
income-related)
– Income-related Employment and
Support Allowance
– Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid
NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• are named on a valid HC2 certificate.

Partial help: if you are named on a
valid HC3 certificate you might get
some help towards the cost of your
NHS dental treatment.

and has already been stated, you aren't being treated any differently to anyone else on CB JSA, and I didn't belittle you, think you may be a tad over sensitive

That's the information I originally found too - but then have had it confirmed that I can
claim it as someone on a low income. (Or in this case, no income)!

Hope this helps others with the same enquiry, anyway.
These things can always be very confusing and full of conflicting information!

wobblymummy

Hi

You may be able to get tax credits not sure how long you have to be here to claim them but if you are on a low income and you qualify you might get an exemption certificate that will entitle you to free dental and prescriptions

Amistoso_2

wobblymummy wrote: »

Hi

You may be able to get tax credits not sure how long you have to be here to claim them but if you are on a low income and you qualify you might get an exemption certificate that will entitle you to free dental and prescriptions

He's not working and appears to have no children living with him, how could he get tax credits?

wobblymummy

I thought you didnt have to have children living with you to get tax credits

Amistoso_2

wobblymummy wrote: »

I thought you didnt have to have children living with you to get tax credits

you don't, but the OP isn't working...