Laid off, can you claim JSA?

BatCat

Hi Folks,
Hoping someone can help me.
DH has been employed by the same company for the past 8 years and worked steadily. The company’s work is linked to the construction industry and has been suffering under the credit crunch. They have been cutting down on his working days and salary (he was working 4 days a week with a 10% salary pay cut and more recently 3 days with another 10% pay cut) as well as being laid off for two week periods. He has been going to the local benefits office to let them know he has been laid off, but they seem confused as to what to do with him and although he has been signing on he seems to be getting no job seekers allowance or anything. I presume he is at least entitled to NI credits and that is why they are going through this. I work 4 days a week (we have two small kids) and will probably be moving to 5 days a week if we hear this week that the company will continue with the lay off. Apparently they can continue to lay them off like this for 13 weeks.
Surely he is entitled to something while he has been laid off?
We have insurance to cover the mortgage payments etc. but this only kicks in if he is out of work for 30 days or more which so far has not been the case.
Thanks,
BatCat

Victoriajayne

When someone signs on having been put on short time, a decision maker makes an estimate of the future hours at the start of short time working, until they have enough evidence to calculate an average over a previous period (generally 5 weeks unless they think otherwise)... it's all very complicated !

When the average falls below 16 hours a week, the entitlement to contribution based JSA kicks in (if of course he's made enough contributions that qualify for JSA(CB), and as you say he's worked for them for 8 years, it shouldn't be a problem !)

Then the next complicated part starts - he'll have to declare his hours and what he's been paid every time he signs, which then gets averaged out, and compared to weekly rate of JSA ... the first £5/£10 (depending on circumstances) is disregarded, then the rest gets deducted penny for penny from JSA ... so unless his average weekly money drops below £70.45/£75.45, he won't get actually get any JSA paid. And it will probably change on a weekly basis until he's hopefully back on normal time again.

The Decision Makers Guide is bloody confusing, but it's here if you want to take a look... http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/decision-makers-guide/ - volume 4 section 20327 is the bit for short time workers.

BatCat

Thanks Victoria Jayne! Tat's very helpful!!