JSA after redundancy how long?

Leosmummy

Hello all,

Although not new to MSE I am recent to browsing this section.

I was wondering if anyone could answer this question?

I know that currently after redundancy you can claim contribution based JSA for 6 months but I wondered if anyone could tell me about the means tested part after this initial 6 months?

I am facing a serious risk of redundancy post April 2011 and I am worried that if I did not secure employment after 6 months this would be stopped.

Finances wise: my partner earns around £17500 per annum we have a mortgage and all other household bills and a 2 year old. If I was to be made redundant I would get the statutory payment after 4 yrs of employment so probably about £1500.

Am I just trying to pre plan any circumstances that might arise - has anyone got any knowledge of this? Any guidance would be most appreciated.

Thank you

MX5huggy

You won't get Income Based JSA

If you are living with a partner and claiming income-based JSA, your partner must either not be working or working fewer than 24 hours a week.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/income-based_jsa.aspx

You should keep signing on after 6months to get your stamp paid for you (although with the kid you might be able make up your stamp as a carer)

diable

Stupid as it seems you may be financially better off if you get divorced.....

binnie

I think the poster meant contributions based allowance (National insurance based) not JSA.
When I was made redudant or whenver I've left a job, I got national insurance contributions allowance and my husband works.
it did take about 4-5 weeks before I got some money though.
Good luck, hope you don't lose your job, or at least get another one.

ceridwen

'yep...I'm afraid it IS only 6 months worth normally in the case of someone with a working partner - ie yourself.

I suggest you look into what extra income your partner might be able to get - such as Working Tax Credit - in case you get a lengthy spell of unemployment.

Leosmummy

Thanks for all the replies. I will look into it a bit further - just want to be as prepared as I can be! (if thats possible).

It seems crazy that they would just cut it after 6 months..... and leave low/mid income families (who previously relied on 2 incomes) in a situation where they now could not cover monthly mortgage and other houshold bills. But such is life I suppose...... I'm off to look into that divorce now :rotfl:

shikoku

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Leosmummy

shikoku wrote: »

Do you really think previous higher earners should get higher benefits?

At one point there were earnings related add ons, fortunately that particular injustice is long gone.

If you are unemployed you are unemployed, not an unemployed 'whatever you used to do for a job'.

Not at all! I was just surprised there wasnt a means tested consideration at the end of the first 6 months! As a poster above said I would be better off single in this instance which is surely ridiculous...

All I was saying is that I was concerned if it wasnt to get a job after 6 months when the JSA was stopped.

Fact is that our bills, mortgage and living expense would not be covered by my partners wage alone.... so there is a high risk that previous mid earning families will basically lose there houses etc and join the 'deprived' government statistics in which case they would be back knocking on the gvnmt's door for social housing, and more benefits!! Just seems a silly way of doing it for the sake of continuing JSA for a few months further.

Oh and lastly I have come on here for assistance/guidance not arsey comments!

shikoku

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Leosmummy

'There is, it's called income based job seekers allowance'.


Why didnt you just say this in the first post? - that is what I call a helpful answer and what kind of info I came on here asking for.

I think we will have to agree to disagree here on the social justice of benefits - I did not come on here for a slanging match - just a little bit of help!

You do not know my circumstances and I do not know yours - so lets just leave it at that.

shikoku

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