Can you claim JSA if you've been self-employed?

Cas1980

I'm enquiring on behalf of my brother-in-law. Until the last couple of years, he owned his own small carpentry business but had to let it go when the work dried up. Since then he's had odd jobs but nothing secure and is currently once again out of work. He's been told he can't claim JSA as he was self employed but surely there must be something he can claim. He has a partner and two young children, and they are in danger of having their house taken from them, if he doesn't find a job or get some help soon! Any suggestions?

Many thanks for any replies!

MrsManda

I don't see why he cannot claim JSA if he was self-employed but isn't any longer and is now looking for work.
He's unlikely to be able to claim contribution based benefits as he won't have paid the right N.I. contributions but providing he doesn't have £16,000 in savings he is likely to be able to claim income based benefits. Does his partner work?

Has he put his details into the direct.gov or entitledto benefits calculators to see what he may be entitled to?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_4016805

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Who can get Jobseeker's Allowance?

To get Jobseeker's Allowance you must be:

• available for, capable and actively seeking work
• aged 18 or over but below State Pension age
• working less than 16 hours per week on average
• in Great Britain

Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance

You may be entitled to claim contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance if you have paid enough National Insurance contributions. Jobcentre Plus can pay this for up to 182 days. Generally, self-employed contributions will not help you qualify for contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

This is based on your income and savings. You may get this if you have not paid enough National Insurance contributions (NICs) (or you've only paid contributions for self-employment) and you're on a low income.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10018757

NASA_2

Class 2 NIC's dont count for JSA(C) so that is out altogether.

He might get the means tested JSA depending on income etc.