Low Income Family, Refused JSA

sick2death

Hi Folks.

I'm in desperate need of a bit of advice, as I feel as if we are slowly getting nowhere.

I currently work 42.5 hours a week, at minimum wage, so I'm earning about £250 / wk less tax.

My wife, began work around 10 months ago, working 16 hours a week. She has recently been made redundant.

Shs applied for JSA, and has had a letter come through explaining that she will not be paid JSA because she has not paid enough class 1 national insurance in the tax year 5 april 2009-2010.

Surely she must be entitled to some form of JSA?

Any help?

Thanks.

bunny999

No she isn't. She isn't entitled to conts based as she hasn't paid enough conts. She isn't entitled to income based as your income is too high.

sick2death

oh dear.

thats the first time someones referred to my income as being too high!

thanks for the reply, at least we know where we are now.

dawyldthing

if you have any children though you might be able to get working tax and child tax credit, also look into working tax credit as i believe you might be able to get some if you earn under 16k a year (you might be just over though, not too sure)

Hovel_lady

Do you get WTC or CTC if you have children? If not might be worth checking if you are entitled to any.
I suspect the goverment's version of too high and yours are very different :rotfl:
Good luck.

sick2death

I earn £252 / wk or just over 13k a year.

I get about £12 a week WTC, and my wife is getting about £100 CTC.

Anubis_2

sick2death wrote: »

I earn £252 / wk or just over 13k a year.

I get about £12 a week WTC, and my wife is getting about £100 CTC.

Then your income is too high - for example, for benefit purposes, what the law states you need to live on, a couple get 105 per week between them ( not each) so say you were just a couple, no kids, then anything over 105 between you, and you are not entitled.

You are on just less than 20 k a year from what you state. It is a lot more than others get, even working.

People think it is a high life on benefits, but 105 per week between two people to coveer food, and bills is quite low.

viktory

sick2death wrote: »

I earn £252 / wk or just over 13k a year.

I get about £12 a week WTC, and my wife is getting about £100 CTC.

Well that's hardly the poverty line is it?

Adereterial

Have you informed HMRC that your wife is no longer working? You may be entitled to more in tax credits.

Otherwise, have you investigated LHA & council tax benefit?

In reality though, your income is quite high, & if you can't manage you need to look at how you're budgeting.

sick2death

I realise we aren't on the "poverty line" and never claimed to be, I was just a little suprised that she would get refused JSA, as per my original question.

Thanks for the replies though.

viktory

You certainly implied that you feel you are on the poverty line:

sick2death wrote: »

thats the first time someones referred to my income as being too high!

sick2death wrote: »

I realise we aren't on the "poverty line" and never claimed to be, I was just a little suprised that she would get refused JSA, as per my original question.

You would have saved an awful lot of time if you'd been more upfront about the benefits you are already in receipt of.