Calculating contribution-based JSA

esutg

I first started my job in May 2010 and recently was made redundant in July 2012 but am apparantly not eligible for contribution based job seekers allowance. My application has just been returned as rejected as I did not contribute enough in the preceeding tax years (2009/2010, 2010/2011).

That is true as I only started the job in May 2010 so my tax year contribution for 2009/2010 is zero, but shouldn't they be taking into account that the last 2 tax years is 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. In which case as I have worked enough during that time I should be eligible?

biteyerlegs

claim income based job seekers allowance which is the same amount i believe

p00hsticks

I'm afraid the rules are that the tax years taken into consideration are the last two full tax years prior to the start of the current "benefit year" - and the "benefit year" starts in the first week of the year. So they are correct in saying that currently they are looking at your contributions for tax years 2009-10 and 2010-11 - they won't start looking at contributions for tax year 2011-12 until January 2013.

p00hsticks

biteyerlegs wrote: »

claim income based job seekers allowance which is the same amount i believe

but means tested, so not available if you have substantial savings or a partner who is working

esutg

Thanks for everyones posts.

I won't be eligible for income-based jsa as I have savings. It does sound weird however, as even though I have worked over 2 years that I cannot claim contribution based JSA due to how the tax year falls. But does that mean if the 'benefit year' starts again in January that I can put another claim in then for contribution-based JSA?

Until then, should I continue to sign-in at the Jobcentre to ensure my class 1 contributions are paid on NI?

dookar

Yes, but you'll need to end your claim 12 weeks before the new year to break linking