Jobseeker's Allowance - should I contest their decision?

EleanorDay

It's a long winded saga so I'll try to keep it simple. My boyfriend and I returned from working abroad the end of last year. My boyfriend found full time employment fairly quickly, earning a basic £16,300 plus possible commission. However he's only just started so hasn't yet received a full months wage. We had to move in order that he could take up the position which was, of course, a large amount of money upfront in order to get a place to rent. I have savings so could dip into them to pay it. So, with both of us with virtually no cash in our current accounts to see us through the next months, I applied for JSA and started the sign on process. I didn't expect a great deal as I still have reasonable savings (not above the JSA limit) but hopefully some contribution based allowance.

The same day that I signed on I received a letter from JSA requesting more information on my boyfriend's earnings. I'd had a hopeless interview with my Jobcentre so I presumed the interviewer hadn't got all the info necessary. I filled in the form and returned it in the post the next day. That same day I got another letter from them saying I wasn't eligible for any allowance and detailing why which were as follows: "you have not paid, or been credited with, enough Class 1 National Insurance Contributions and your partner is working for 24 hours a week or more."

Firstly I don't understand the NI contributions. Can anyone explain to me how much I should have contributed to be eligible for JSA? Surely there are people applying who have never contributed? I'm 27 now and I worked full time after university for a year and a half earning £18,000 and regularly paying NI. Since then I have been working abroad doing seasonal employment so possibly I wasn't earning enough to contribute NI.

Secondly, why did they request further details about my partner's earnings? Since their letter of decision came the same day that I returned the form on my partner, they'd clearly already made a decision based on the info they had. Has something gone wrong here? Was this a chance for my application to be reviewed further which may now have been cut off since the system will say that a decision has been made?

My partner and I are pretty hard up right now as we've had a lot of outgoings the past month or so with no incoming cash.
Can any of these details be used to contest the decision? I'd be really grateful for any information and suggestions. Thanks for reading!!

Ellie

viktory

There are two types of JSA - Contribution based and Income based. Contribution based is worked out by calculating your NI contributions paid in the previous two full tax years. As you have worked abroad I doubt you have paid enough. Income based JSA is based on your income - as you live with your boyfriend as husband and wife his income will be taken into consideration and therefore it is unlikely you will be awarded this as he earns too much. There is no point in appealing, unless you have paid the necessary contributions.

How old are you?

MX5huggy

Basically you wont get any money, read on if you want to know why. You should still sign on to receive you NI credits.

There are 2 types of JSA Contribution (JSA C) based and Income based (JSA IB).

For JSA C what your partners work combined savings etc do not matter. You entitlement is based on your NI contributions in the last 2 tax years currently 2008 - 2009 & 2009 - 2010. You did not pay any NI so do not qualify.

For JSA IB they look at how much work you & or partner are doing, and your combined savings as your partner is working over 24 hours a week you don't qualify.

May be you could get some Working Tax Credit?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCreditsandChildBenefit/TaxCredits/Gettingstarted/whoqualifies/DG_181268

RAS

Do also check whether you can as a couple get any further help. See www.turn2us.org.uk.

Expect to deal with a habitual residency test as part of the proceeding since you have ben overseas.

EleanorDay

Thanks for all your thoughts. Much appreciated as I don't want to waste my time or theirs. So I'm sorry I'm wasting yours instead!

Despite the decision you say I should still turn up to my next sign on for NI credits? What would that mean?
Thanks for the website suggestion too.

Indie_Kid

The NI credits go towards your pension for when you retire.