JSA or anything else?

dlk

My partner has been out of work now for the last 2 1/2 months. Although she is looking for work she hasn't signed on as she's already paid enough NI for this years pension contributions and I assumed that we wouldn't qualify for any benefits.

As my earnings are £35k and my partner has already earned around £9k this year I assume she won't qualify for JSA as I'm guessing I'm supposed to support her? Am I wrong with regards to this. I just wanted to check with anyone who knows the benefit system as the staff at the local benefits office seem to struggle to remember their own name let alone the benefit rules. (I know you won't be able to give a definate answer but any help appreciated)

Caz3121

For contribution based JSA, if she claims now they will look at the tax years 2008-9 and 2009-10 to see if she has paid enough NI to receive payment. If she claims in January it switches to 2009-10 and 2010-11.
If she does have enough contributions in these years then she will qualify for CB JSA for 26 weeks, this ignores your income, savings etc
If she does not have sufficient NI contributions, you are correct, there is probably nothing she can claim

cosmic-dust

Caz3121 wrote: »

For contribution based JSA, if she claims now they will look at the tax years 2008-9 and 2009-10 to see if she has paid enough NI to receive payment. If she claims in January it switches to 2009-10 and 2010-11.
If she does have enough contributions in these years then she will qualify for CB JSA for 26 weeks, this ignores your income, savings etc
If she does not have sufficient NI contributions, you are correct, there is probably nothing she can claim

Surely she would have been better claiming this when she first became unemployed not x amounts of months down the line as she will have lost her entitlement?

salau2

dlk wrote: »

My partner has been out of work now for the last 2 1/2 months. Although she is looking for work she hasn't signed on as she's already paid enough NI for this years pension contributions and I assumed that we wouldn't qualify for any benefits.

As my earnings are £35k and my partner has already earned around £9k this year I assume she won't qualify for JSA as I'm guessing I'm supposed to support her? Am I wrong with regards to this. I just wanted to check with anyone who knows the benefit system as the staff at the local benefits office seem to struggle to remember their own name let alone the benefit rules. (I know you won't be able to give a definate answer but any help appreciated)

May be entitled to JSA (Contribution based) for 6 months. Do you or your partner have any parents who are of poor health? If so and they are receiving Attendance Allowance/DLA (Middle or Higher rate care) and your partner looks after them for 35+ hours per week then your partner may be entitled to Care's Allowance.