JS (C) and ill health pension

50Twuncle

I am disabled - I was working for 29 years - up until 2009 (Redundancy) - at which point, I claimed ESA (C) until I found another job - that lasted 7 months (redundancy again !!) - I decided not to claim any ESA for last 6 months (in case it affected my chance of re-employment) - but now, I have decided that my chances are slim - so am looking to get back on benefits - only not ESA (Rules are too strict now)
I am receiving an Ill Health Pension from my former employer.

My questions are :

1. What are the rules to allow me to claim Contribution based JS, for 6 months (I have savings of over £16k) ?

2. If I claim JS - is there any caveat that I can use to stop JCP sending me on fruitless job interviews (bearing in mind my disability) ?

3. Due to my pension - I assume that JS works as ESA - ie permitted income (first £95 ingored then 50% of any extra benefits removed) ?

NASA_2

I'll answer the third question - cant be bothered with the first two.

Pensions on JSA(C) are disregarded for the first £50 then taken in penny for penny.

dookar

I'll answer the second one - you can restrict your availability in any reasonable way providing the restrictions are due to your disability

50Twuncle

NASA wrote: »

I'll answer the third question - cant be bothered with the first two.

Pensions on JSA(C) are disregarded for the first £50 then taken in penny for penny.

Thanks - if you can be bothered - could you please provide a link to this rule ?

Oldernotwiser

http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/otherbenefits/Pages/ESA-how-much.aspx


"Contributory ESA is not affected by most of your income or capital, or that of your partner. However, if you receive a personal pension or payment from the Pension Protection Fund, this will affect your ESA payment. In this case, half your pension income over £85 a week is taken from your ESA. This doesn’t apply to some pensions and payments that are paid in respect of military service."

ETA

Sorry, just realised that you're talking now about JSA and not ESA, so this is a relevant link.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/benefits/benefits_for_people_looking_for_work.htm

"For example, the amount of contribution-based JSA that you get is cut pound for pound for any occupational pension that is over £50 a week. If you earn too much, you will not get contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance at all."

cosmic-dust

21Twinkle wrote: »

I am disabled - I was working for 29 years - up until 2009 (Redundancy) - at which point, I claimed ESA (C) until I found another job - that lasted 7 months (redundancy again !!) - I decided not to claim any ESA for last 6 months (in case it affected my chance of re-employment) - but now, I have decided that my chances are slim - so am looking to get back on benefits - only not ESA (Rules are too strict now)
I am receiving an Ill Health Pension from my former employer.

My questions are :

1. What are the rules to allow me to claim Contribution based JS, for 6 months (I have savings of over £16k) ?

Will you be able to claim CBJSA since you have had a break in your employment and already claimed CBESA?

p00hsticks

cosmic-dust wrote: »

Will you be able to claim CBJSA since you have had a break in your employment and already claimed CBESA?

good point - it sounds like the OP may not have accumulated enough NI contributions for the relevant period to quailify for JSA(C)

Oldernotwiser

You're both ignoring the fact that the OP has an occupational pension which affects contributions based JSA/ESA!

50Twuncle

p00hsticks wrote: »

good point - it sounds like the OP may not have accumulated enough NI contributions for the relevant period to quailify for JSA(C)

I have almost 30 years of paying NI contributions under my belt - so yes I have - And until 7 months ago - I was paying NI !!
Also - if I had decided to return to ESA - I have been informed that there is a 2 year period - during which time, a claimee can return at the previous rate, without any reduction in rate - I assume that this works for JSA as well ?

50Twuncle

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You're both ignoring the fact that the OP has an occupational pension which affects contributions based JSA/ESA!

That is my question - I know how ESA(C) is affected by my pension - but is this the same for JSA(C)
If not - then it is back to ESA

Oldernotwiser

21Twinkle wrote: »

That is my question - I know how ESA(C) is affected by my pension - but is this the same for JSA(C)
If not - then it is back to ESA

This has been answered in posts # 2 & 5, the second one with links.