Do I need to register

ElusiveLucy

I have today been told I am going to be made redundant. I am to get a good package, but was just wondering whether I need to register the fact as soon as I leave in case I need to claim any benefits in the future.

My redundancy package will keep me going for a while but you never know what is around the corner, and having worked very hard for the last 25 years, I don't want to miss out on any benefits I might be entitled to.

LadyMissA

I was made redundant after 4 yrs 11mths in a job and left with a little over £4k and they never asked me how much I got when I went to sign on. If you have paid two full years NI then I am sure you get JSA no matter what you have when you leave but after 6 mths the JSA contribution based runs out so you have to reclaim for INCOME based JSA where you have to detail EVERYTHING - how much you have in the bank, shares, savings, redundancy money. I was lucky or not as the case may be but I didnt have any of gthe £4k left 6 mths in so my claim was continuous. I think if you have over £6k you do not get anything but you will have to ask. You will still have to sign to get NI paid for you

Emmzi

it is worth signing on to get your NI stamp paid so do it on day one.

Voyager2002

So long as you were working and paying NI two years before you became unemployed (it is more complicated than that, but that is the basic situation) then you are entitled to contributions-based JSA, no matter how rich you are! You will have to demonstrate that you are actively seeking work, and in fact the Jobcentres give access to a large and useful database of opportunities around the world.

ElusiveLucy

Thanks for that information, that's really useful.

As I said, I have been working continuously and paying NI for 25 years now. If my NI contributions this year to date have been pretty high, do I still need to ensure they remain continuous?

This will sound rally stupid, but how do you go about signing on?

p00hsticks

ElusiveLucy wrote: »

As I said, I have been working continuously and paying NI for 25 years now. If my NI contributions this year to date have been pretty high, do I still need to ensure they remain continuous?

Currently, you need thirty complete years NI contributions to be eligible for a full state pension, so yes it is worth ensuring you get creditted (I don't believe that the actual amount you pay per year isn't significant as long as it exceeds a specified minimum)

ElusiveLucy wrote: »

This will sound rally stupid, but how do you go about signing on?

You can register online - more info and link to do so here

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

ponymad_3

Just to reassure you I signed on today, well I had my initial JSA interview. I worked for the same company for 28yrs so know how you feel. The interview was fine- you fill the form in online on day one and then they call you to agree an appointment. The guy was great and even found me a great looking job to apply for ... in a senior management position in my home town. I was impressed. To actually sign on you have to attend for a few minutes weekly mine is 10.15 on thurs. It all seemed very straight forward. Good luck

LadyMissA

ponymad wrote: »

Just to reassure you I signed on today, well I had my initial JSA interview. I worked for the same company for 28yrs so know how you feel. The interview was fine- you fill the form in online on day one and then they call you to agree an appointment. The guy was great and even found me a great looking job to apply for ... in a senior management position in my home town. I was impressed. To actually sign on you have to attend for a few minutes weekly mine is 10.15 on thurs. It all seemed very straight forward. Good luck

did they tell you in 6 mths the contribution based JSA runs out and you have to apply again detailing all your money etc and untill that time you can not even get free prescriptions or dentist treatment!

ponymad_3

LadyMissA wrote: »

did they tell you in 6 mths the contribution based JSA runs out and you have to apply again detailing all your money etc and untill that time you can not even get free prescriptions or dentist treatment!

TBH no he did nt but with the very generous package I got will mean there is no way I will be in a position to claim for a long time to come. Good point tho

ElusiveLucy

Thanks for the info.

I will be leaving next month but our consultation period runs to mid-September. Do I sign on when I actually leave in August, or when the consultation period ends in mid-September?

I am in the same position as Ponymad - generous package, plus good savings that would probably keep me above any limits for claiming benefits for some time.