Refused JSA because my previous claim failed - how long before I can reapply ?

pookybies

My claim was rejected because I had not paid enough NI contribution... I went back to claim again some 2/3 months later and was told the same thing. They dont start using the next tax year until the April... so I would have to wait untl April 2011 before they would look at my contributions for 08/09 and 09/10 - it obviously does not matter that I paid NI for 20 years prior to this !!!!!!

crunchie1

Thank you, that is very interesting. I thought the benefit year went from the first sunday in January, from what i had read online.

Do you happen to remember what time of year you went ?

NASA_2

pookybies wrote: »

My claim was rejected because I had not paid enough NI contribution... I went back to claim again some 2/3 months later and was told the same thing. They dont start using the next tax year until the April... so I would have to wait untl April 2011 before they would look at my contributions for 08/09 and 09/10 - it obviously does not matter that I paid NI for 20 years prior to this !!!!!!

That is misleading nonsense.

The 'Benefit Year' is what dictates the tax years used. Benefit year started January 2nd 2011 - the last two full tax years before this were the ones that ended in April 2010 and April 2009.

crunchie1

Thanks NASA that is what I had understood it to be from my online research.

It was fair enough not to be paid in October when I had insufficient NI for the year ending April 2009.

It seems deeply unfair that now the year has rolled and I do have enough credits I still can't be paid on a technicality. I had no idea there was a 12 week rule and obviously would not have claimed 2 days too soon if I had. But they could have just told me to come back in 2 days time instead of taking the claim then using it against me.

There seems no way now to get the second claim cancelled. So despite being theoretically able to claim since 3 Jan I will get nothing until May !

pookybies

Hi, this was last week I was told that they dont use tax year 09/10 until April.... I previously applied in November 2010 and then again January 2011. The lady at the job centre told me if it failed again this time to lie and say I am a lone parent !!!!! Maybe I will phone again just to check...

morganedge

Why not just get income based instead?

NASA_2

pookybies wrote: »

Hi, this was last week I was told that they dont use tax year 09/10 until April.... I previously applied in November 2010 and then again January 2011. The lady at the job centre told me if it failed again this time to lie and say I am a lone parent !!!!! Maybe I will phone again just to check...

The person you were speaking to is obviously a cretin or poorly trained.

Benefit year starts in January. And lying about being a LP is fraud.

pookybies

Hi Nasa, I will definately phone again tomorrow then... I tried to argue the point but she said it did not change until April... I will let you know how I get on tomorrow. When I went into the Jobcentre the lady said I would be successful now as a different year so was shocked when they still said no. I quite agree with you about lying, I was quite shocked she even suggested it... it is not something I would even consider. I just wanted a little bit of help for a few weeks until my paperwork and references came through for me to start my job.

I cant get income based as I think my partner earns too much.. I am not really clued up when it comes to benefits..

Indie_Kid

morganedge wrote: »

Why not just get income based instead?

When assessing a claim for JSA, they check NI contributions and then check savings, income, etc. If you're entitled to income based, you'd get told after being turned down for contributions based.

crunchie1

Pookybies please do let us know how you get on tomorrow. I am wondering if you have been turned down for the same reason as me. If my claim is rejected because it is linked to a failed claim less than 12 weeks ago, so would yours have been.

If so you need to be very careful about when you next apply. If you try again in early April you may scupper your chances until August !

I am still trying to find proof that claim-linking should be used like this. but am struggling to find anything.