Clarity regarding JSA and SMI

Lea74

Apologies if I am using the wrong forum - I am new here. I would like to make a claim for SMI and am currently on IS. This may end soon as my youngest son is 8. If I move to JSA, which one would it be? I believe for SMI it has be income based JSA.

I have previously worked 20hours a week and was made redundant in July. I have made NI contributions.

I have also recently go divorced so am just trying to get me finances sorted.

Many thanks for the help.

tcr_3

You're right, it's income based JSA you need to get help with your mortgage. So you'll have to claim for both contributory and income based JSA when the time comes.

In practise they won't require you to go through the whole rigmarole of re-claiming for the mortgage, they'll simply transfer the mortgage details from the old Income Support claim to the new JSA claim, although there might be a delay with the payments while they're trying to sort it all out.

Lea74

My 13 weeks waiting period ends next friday. Should I apply for it then? I have been advised I will need to complete a MI12 form - is that correct?

How do I claim for both Income based and contributory based JSA? What would I normally have applied for if I didnt want to apply for SMI? Apologies for all the questions - I know I seem anxious - this is all new to me and I really dont want to loose my home. (I have lost enough recently).

Indie_Kid

Lea74 wrote: »

How do I claim for both Income based and contributory based JSA?

You make a claim for JSA. A decision maker will decide how much and what JSA you claim based on a) what the law says you need to live on & b) what NI contributions you've made over the previous tax years. (07/08 & 08/09, I think?)

You'll then get a letter. This letter states how much you'll get each week and how they decided whether you get income based or contributions based.

tcr_3

You can apply for JSA online here -

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_178228

or by phone on 0800 055 6688

You might be best phoning Income Support to establish when you should apply for JSA. Ask them to send you out an MI12 form and find out if you're applying for SMI through Income Support first or through JSA instead.

Lea74

Just realised that my 13 weeks waiting period actually ends at the end of October, so I will apply then. Also, noticed that my IS started after my youngest son turned 8, do you think that they will move me onto JSA now? I have been on IS since 3/08.

As I am a lone parent can I claim IS until my youngest turns 10? Although I am sure that I will get bored by then so will probably start working way before then anyway. Never been one to sit around.

Indie_Kid

Lea74 wrote: »

As I am a lone parent can I claim IS until my youngest turns 10? Although I am sure that I will get bored by then so will probably start working way before then anyway. Never been one to sit around.

The law changes this month I think, to 7.

Lea74

In that instance would I then move onto JSA? Which JSA would that be do you think?? Do I just wait for a letter to arrive??

Thanks,

Indie_Kid

The law changes on the 26th. You'd be moved on to JSA unless there's another reason you claim IS (carer, for example) or you're entitled to ESA.

Lea74

Which JSA would that be: Income related or contribution based? I cant find clarity on that anywhere???

Lea74

Just found this on the Hounslow Website (??)

• There are two types of Jobseekers Allowance - Contribution-based and income-based Jobseekers Allowance.
• Contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance is paid if you have paid (or been credited with) enough National Insurance contributions in the appropriate tax years before you claim. Contribution-based JSA is not means-tested and can be paid regardless of what your partner’s circumstances are but it is only paid for 6 months.
• Income-based JSA is means tested and will be affected by most income that you and your partner have. Income-based JSA is not paid if you have savings over £16000 and if you work 16 hours per week or more or your partner works 24 hours per week or more. Income-based JSA can help with mortgage payments.

Does this sound correct??