job seekers benefits

Milton1986

Hi

I'm due to be laid off from my job in september and will sign on straight away until I find another job. Does anybody know the savings limit? I have 15k but if this stops me claiming JSA i have a few debts I could pay off etc.

Thanks for your help

terryw

JSA (contribution based) if you qualify is paid for six months regardless of capital. JSA (income based) would well affected or even negated with £15000.

Alligg

Beware of paying it all off debts as that can be taken into account too.they will see you had money available and have on some occasions not awarded payment saying that the money could have been used to live off.if you don't qualify for any payments you can still sign on and get credits towards your state pension.if you have a mortgage you have to wait 13 weeks before you can get any help towards it.other things can be taken into account too for income based-bonds,stocks,shares,pensions,other property etc and also if you have a partner working their earnings will count too.the contribution based payment is on how much national insurance has been paid over 2 relevant tax years,its worth checking with the tax people as if you have missed anything you can opt to top it up and pay any shortfall.
Hope this helps.

gemma1979

I'm not sure of the exact figures but roughly over £6000 it is took into account and over £16000 cannot get benefit at all as they say you should use this to support yourself before claiming benefit if you have alternative means. Be careful of disposing of the payment, however, as when you put a claim in for JSA they will ask about redundancy payments and verify it all with the employer etc when paid and amount paid and if they think you have disposed of it within a certain time before claiming benefit just so you can claim it they can deny benefit/impose sanctions and things so check with citizens advice before you do anything x

SarEl

I believe I am correct in saying (but please check this with a welfare rights advisor) that for the first six months any savings do not affect JSA but do affect housing / council tax benefit, and that these latter benefits, if claimed, require evidence of your last three months bank statements to show that you have not disposed of any savings without good cause. Whether paying off debts is "good cause" I could not say - but a welfare rights advisior could give you full information as to your best course of action.