Jobseekers Allowance help needed please!!

manityphon

Hello moneysavers;

A few months ago I was living in Northampton and working at a petrol station. Anyway, my rent tenancy was coming to an end and my girlfriend was offered a job at Kingston Hospital. We decided to take the plunge and move.

So, now we've been here for a month; I've been hunting high and low for employment but with no luck. I decided to apply for jobseekers.

I was aware that I was going to penalised with no help for 6 months for the terrible crime of having a job! This to me makes no sense whatsoever?? It seemed to me that if I never had a job I would get the financial help without any hassle. I know that I left my job voluntarily, but surely this job had to go to someone else.

I made my application online and a few days later I received a letter saying that I would not be pay anything as I hadn't paid enough class 1 tax contributions for the years ending 09 and 10 (these were the years I was at University). The letter said I should ring a 0845 (because naturally the people who claim jobseekers don't have enough problems without having to ring a number that costs) for an explanation. So after waiting about 20 minutes on hold; I managed to speak to someone who as well as being rude and condescending, basically read out what was on the letter.

After researching online; I found out that I could have my application based on income rather than by my tax contributions. Further research indicated that as my girlfriend works full-time, I would not get anything! Despite us not having any joint finances and me being personally liable for half the rent.

Today I had my interview; again subject to rudeness, unhelpful and condescending staff. My 'advisor' advised that I looked for jobs!! Hahaha! I have already been doing more than he suggested that I do. I asked the man about making my application income based rather than on my tax contributions and told him I would need a JSA3 form; this was met with bemusement and about 5 minutes or so of him looking around. When he came back he gave me the form but said it'd be of no use!

I then left and rang the 0845 number again; and yet again more rudeness and lack of knowledge; her suggestion was to fill in the form and see what happens; and before I could ask a further question she said goodbye and hung up!

So, if anyone can help me with the following questions I would be eternally grateful!

1. Has anyone had a similar experience with their tax credits and what did they do?

2. Is there anything I can do about the income based application? I mean I am liable for half the rent and have my own bills etc.

3. Lastly, is there actually any point in me pursuing the claim? It seems highly unlikely that they will provide me with any financial help; I know that they will continue to pay my NI contributions, but is it really worth it for the hassle; the condescension; rudeness; and after reading some horror stories - travelling miles for job interviews; being made to take jobs; etc.

I can't believe how frustrating this how process has been. I haven't been out of work for more than 2 months at any time; I've paid all my taxes and I've been completely honest with my application. I just feel that I would have been better off if I never worked or lied about my circumstances; it almost like I being punished for doing nothing wrong!

Anyway, rant over, like I say any help and I would be eternally grateful

bobajob_1966

Are you and your partner 25 or over?

There is no point in applying for IB JSA, you will not be eligible if your partner works full time.

You should continue to sign on for NI Credits.

Can I suggest the possibility that the way you spoke to the JCP staff influenced the way they spoke to you? If you came across the way you do in your post, I can imagine that some of the responses would have been tinged with sarcasm.

MrsManda

As you are living with your girlfriend you are counted as a couple for benefits purposes. Therefore your girlfriend is expected to support you while she is working and you are not. This should've been something you discussed when you realised that you would be out of work if you moved with your girlfriend when she found a new job.

Without National Insurance contributions you'll have to claim income based and on your girlfriend's income it appears that you are not entitled. I don't think there is any point in appealling.

If you put your household (income/savings of yourself and your girlfriend) details into a benefits calculator you may find that you are jointly able to claim other benefits such as housing benefit/council tax benefit.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=