Signing off JSA with no job...

supersezzie

I'm asking this for a friend. I know it's not money related in terms of upping income but I'm hoping someone can help.

He wants to come off JSA as he is finding it so stressful and his parents have offered to support him in doing the job search off his own back instead. But he is worried about being 'out of the system'.

Are there any implications, other than having to keep up with NI contributions?

I'm worried about the tax man - could they accuse him of earning cash in hand or something and try to charge him? How could he prove he's not been earning anything? I've just been Googling it and read some horror stories.

Thanks guys!

Tigsteroonie

Marley signed off JSA after I gave birth to our little boy - my maternity allowance payment meant that his JSA entitlement was zero, so he didn't see the point of "subjecting himself to the fortnightly ritual humiliation" We haven't heard anything from HMRC, I think they're too busy with people who do pay tax to go around accusing non-JSA claimants of working cash in hand unless they receive a tip-off.

sickofusernames

I signed off last year because I couldn't receive any JSA payments as my partner works full time, so what's the point in going to waste my time with two small toddlers in tow? Ok my stamp gets paid but I've only got another 10 years or less to contribute towards my pension entitlement.

I'd like to bet that I'm one of many that don't bother signing on due to not being entitled to anything and obviously don't get counted in the unemployment figures.

rogerblack

sickofusernames wrote: »

I signed off last year because I couldn't receive any JSA payments as my partner works full time, so what's the point in going to waste my time with two small toddlers in tow? Ok my stamp gets paid but I've only got another 10 years or less to contribute towards my pension entitlement.
.

This is not something I've studied, but a quick google indicates that if you swap the child benefit over so that you, not your partner gets the child benefit, then your NI conts will be paid.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ni/intro/credits.htm#3

McKneff

So what is stressful about claiming JSA, does he not like going to sign on, he should still do this to get his NI contributions.

Does he not want to look for a job, is he quite happy to take money from his parents,

seven-day-weekend

I too would like to know what is stressful. I know the Jobcentre is a depressing place but why is it stressful? Unless the guy is ill of course in which case he should be claiming ESA not JSA.

AFAIK he is entitled not to claim the benefit but he will lose the credits of his NI contributions. This might not matter too much if he is young. Also he will lose things like free dental treatment and eye tests - he will no longer be eligible as he is not on a qualifying benefit.

I don't think he need worry about the tax man.

paddedjohn

if he finds half an hour a fortnight stressful then wait until he finds a job, then he will really be stressed.

tsimehC

supersezzie wrote: »

I'm asking this for a friend. I know it's not money related in terms of upping income but I'm hoping someone can help.

He wants to come off JSA as he is finding it so stressful and his parents have offered to support him in doing the job search off his own back instead. But he is worried about being 'out of the system'.

Are there any implications, other than having to keep up with NI contributions?

I'm worried about the tax man - could they accuse him of earning cash in hand or something and try to charge him? How could he prove he's not been earning anything? I've just been Googling it and read some horror stories.

Thanks guys!

I wouldn't recommend coming off JSA as you're entitled to other things like free prescriptions, dental care etc. The stress you talk about is a given if your friend has had the misfortune of coming across an unsavoury JCP officer(s) and their security buddies. If your friend is doing the best they can, the stress will be tolerable but you have to remember the reason for JCP's existence; get a claimant off JSA by any means possible.

seven-day-weekend

tsimehC wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend coming off JSA as you're entitled to other things like free prescriptions, dental care etc. The stress you talk about is a given if your friend has had the misfortune of coming across an unsavoury JCP officer(s) and their security buddies. If your friend is doing the best they can, the stress will be tolerable but you have to remember the reason for JCP's existence; get a claimant off JSA by any means possible.

And the problem is?

A young friend of mine signed off brcause he didn't want to jump through all the hoops. Is this perhaps what is meant by 'stressful'?

I'm not being unkind, I know all about stress, but it seems a little unwise to sign off when you will lose various other benefits. And how long are his parents prepared to support him for? He may not get a job for ages!

rogerblack

It's half an hour a fortnight for actually signing on.
The applications for jobs will take a fair bit longer.
Eventually, if you go on long enough with no work, you are faced potentially with the work program - which may not aid you in getting into fulltime work at all.
If you can sign off at this point, and make more focussed efforts to get yourself into work - rather than - for example - working unpaid at a charity shop - it may be more productive.

supersezzie

Hey, no need to judge when I haven't said the circumstances! This is a genuine problem for various reasons which I won't go into, but that's why his parents care enough about him to help him in the situation and he's lucky enough to have that option there. He's still looking for a job but with the support of his parents instead - he's not trying to sponge off anyone but his circumstances and health are complex and difficult, and he's just been rejected for ESA.

Thanks for the advice and for those who have held back from judging! He's willing to pay voluntary NI contributions, I just wanted to know if there was any other reason why he shouldn't.

I'm sure he's not the first person to have countless problems with the system. I'd do the same in his circumstances.