I Have Taken Early Release Redundcy - Can I sign on?

PinkFairy_2

Hi Everyone - Newbie to the forum though I've been 'lurking' for quite a while! :wave:
I am due to leave my job at the end of March (Vol. Reducy.) Could anyone please tell me if I am able to sign on (I will be unemployed) or if there are any other things I should / could be claiming through DHSS? I've not had many dealings with the DHSS so am a bit of a novice!
Any info would be very much appreciated - Thank you
PF

jamesd

You can sign on. You'll be entitled to contribution-based JSA for 26 weeks.

After that income-related (means-tested) JSA might be available if you have a low enough amount of savings. If you're certain that the savings, including redundancy money, you have take you over the means test limit there's no point in completing the savings things in the claim, just tell them you're certain that you won't qualify for income based JSA.

Apparently before 2007 voluntary redundancy barred you from getting benefits for a while, so don't be surprised if you get people remembering the old rules. Just be frank about what happened when signing on.

They may want to know if the redundancy pay included any payment for holiday pay and how much of a redundancy payment was Statutory Redundancy Pay. These payments may delay the start of JSA payments.

If you have questions, make a call to the number here and they should be able to help you with definitive answers.

RichandJ

DHSS ? It's obviously been a while since you interacted with the state.

It's now the Department for (not 'of') Work & Pensions, start here:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/directgov/

Linton

You can sign on after voluntary redundancy, but of course only if you are really looking for work. It is generally a good thing to do, apart from the small extra income, as NI is paid.

Note that voluntary redundancy isnt the same as simply resigning. In the former case the employer made the decision, in the latter you make your self unemployed which would not be looked on favourably.

I dont think there is anything else you can claim for, unless you have special circumstances.

PinkFairy_2

Thank you for your replies. I don't have any experience of claiming from the State so your replies are very helpful. Would you put in the Job seekers claim before you actually finish so it's in the pipes - or wait until you have actually left altogether?
Again many thanks.

atush

You could always go in and pick up the paperwork and fill it out. Don't think you canfile before it happens though.

Why not call them and ask?

And this might get more exact respoinses on the Benefits board.

Archergirl

I think you will find it's all done over the phone now. When you leave work phone them up and you will get an appointment to go to your local jobcentre and sign on.
You must actively seek work and show you are doing so by filling in a form detailing your job searches. You will go to the jobcentre every 2 weeks to sign on and they will check your job search paper work ( well that's what they do at mine!!) and your money will be paid every 2 weeks.