JSA Should i come off it?

ponymad_3

Hope someone on here will be able to clarify.

In early July I signed onto JSA, contributions only and understand the 6 mth limit. I had worked for my employer for 28yrs and was lucky to get a very generous package to leave.

I was advised by a friend to claim JSA and so registered immediately.

I know it will take me a time to find a suitable role I was fairly high up in middle management in the financial world.

I also have a couple of holidays from now to Xmas and understand the rules for signing off and rapid restart.

Until I decide what I really want to do I have started some voluntary work, enrolled on computer training(had no formal qualifications) done my CV and registered with various agenices. I am looking to change direction completely.

I get the impression I will soon get pressure for the type of role I will consider... Last week when I signed on the guy arranged for me to speak to someone who could offer me a work placement within the health service. This was an admin role and when she called me, it was very obvious this was for a very very junior clerical role. I declined as the offer was for 6 mths of up to 30 hours work each week. It could have led to a very junior admin job longer term.

What happens if I decide not to sign on, I would lose my NI contributions , not sure how much this is worth and if I could fund myself... ?

I totally appreciate that JSA is for those Job seeking and I am looking but do envisage having to wait for the right type of role. I am of course liable to pay 40% tax on my JSA allowance so would nt be losing massively financially

Also if I sign off now... could I then decide to sign on again after all my holiday (booked prior to me knowing about redundancy) say in the new year

If you need to know I have had my initial interview, my 4 week interview and the next one is on 12th Sept brought forward from the agreed date at the 4 week set as 30th sept.

Thanks for your help and advice.

rogerblack

ponymad wrote: »

What happens if I decide not to sign on, I would lose my NI contributions , not sure how much this is worth and if I could fund myself... ?

How many years of NI conts do you have?
How many remain till you get a full state pension (30).
Do you actually care at all about the state pension, or will your existing pension dwarf it.

As I understand it, it costs around 600/year to buy back a year of contributions, and it has to be done within 6 years.
So, if you're confident that you can get a decent well-paid role, and are not struggling for cash, you may not want to bother with JSA - who will expect you to be willing to be _much_ more flexible in your choice of role.

ponymad_3

I worked full time from 19 and I m 47 now so it won t be long before I would have 30 yrs, tho I guess they could change that in the future.

Had nt appreciated that the payment was so little - so in actual fact 6 mths contribution is worth £300

I ll see what happens at the interview 12.9