Jobseekers contribution based advice

catmiaow

How much N.I contributions do you have to pay to be entitled to contribution based Jobseekers allowance? I worked part time for 6 months of the year and paid hardly any N.I but then worked full time for the other 6 months and contributed as normal then, however I was then made redundant. Can someone advise how much you have to pay in to be entitled to the contribution based benefit?

Thanks

skintbint_2

cant remember the exact amounts but it is over two tax years 2008/09 and 09/10

ALIBOBSY

It is over 2 tax years and there are 2 conditions.
The first condition is you have to have paid class 1 conts in one of the 2 years and have paid before the week in which you claim and must have had earnings in one of those class 1 paid years of at least 26 times the lower earnings limit for that tax year. I believe there is also a new rule about the first condition from last november where they may be able to take into account class 2 conts?

The second condition is you have to have paid class 1 or had credits for both the years which are the equivalent of an amount equal to 50 times the lower earnings limit in BOTH years.

The LEL (lower earnings limit) is currently just under £100. So you have to earn a fair amount to cover it it half a year, but if during the part time work you paid some Ni every week you will likely qualify for the first condition in that year.

The job centre should be able to check if you qualify and it depends on what you paid over the full 2 tax years prior to the current claim-as in post 2.

ali x