Incapacity Benefit to JSA?

davidbyrne

Dear All,
Any help gratefully accepted. I have just been taken off DLA and Incapacity Benefit, and although they recognise I still have problems, I am now regarded as fit for certain work.
My wife works 29 hours a week as a HLTA in a local school, her only job. We have no savings and the Job Centre told me today that I was not eligible for any kind of benefits as I had not been in work the last two years, been on Incapacity Benefit since October 2007.
No help with mortgage, nothing.
Up until October 2007, I had worked since August 18th 1980 to October 24th 2007, paid all my taxes and contributions.
Can this be right? :mad::mad::(:mad::mad:

DomRavioli

Yes, it can. You are fit to work, even restricted hours, and you are no longer unable to accept any form of work because of a serious enduring health condition, even if that health condition still exists.

rogerblack

Do you believe the assessment - under the criteria it was for - was fair?
If you believe it contained errors, you may be able to appeal that decision.

davidbyrne

Thanks for the replies, I guess I haven't made myself clear. I agree that I am fit and ready to start looking for work, is it right and correct that I am not eligible for Job Seeker's Allowance whilst looking for work?
They stated that as I had been claiming Incapacity Benefit and not been working for the last two years. I am not entitled. Is that right?

McKneff

strange, its my belief that if you are on incapacity benefit then your NI is credited.
Perhaps someone will be able to clarify.

MrsManda

McKneff wrote: »

strange, its my belief that if you are on incapacity benefit then your NI is credited.
Perhaps someone will be able to clarify.

I think you get Class 3 NI credits while claiming IB which go towards your state pension. Whereas you need Class 1 credits for contributory benefits.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/NationalInsurance/IntroductiontoNationalInsurance/DG_190059

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/DG_183760

MrsManda

davidbyrne wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I guess I haven't made myself clear. I agree that I am fit and ready to start looking for work, is it right and correct that I am not eligible for Job Seeker's Allowance whilst looking for work?
They stated that as I had been claiming Incapacity Benefit and not been working for the last two years. I am not entitled. Is that right?

I think they're correct. You won't be entitled to contribution based JSA because you haven't paid Class 1 contributions for the last few years and you cannot receive income based JSA because your wife works more than 24 hours a week.

Oldernotwiser

Surely the most important thing is that your health has improved considerably, even if you do still have some problems? Everything else fades into insignificance compared to that.

McKneff

Good luck with the job hunting, isnt it great to feel well enough to do so.

davidbyrne

Thanks again for the replies, and yes it does feel great to feel like you can work again. But that feeling doesn't pay the bills.

Thanks again.

Firefox1975

Yes, but there are plenty of jobs out there.