JSA cut

Nick88_2

Hi all,

Recently received a letter stating the following:

This is because we recently told you that a decision would be made about a doubt: (They basically state the reason i gave them for missing an interview was not 'sufficiently good enough')

If you are looking for work, and you intend to dispute or appeal against this decision, or to apply for hardship payments, you should continue to provide signed declarations as instructed on your ES40.

We cannot award National Insurance contribution credits for this period.


We cannot pay you because you have not paid, or been credited with, enough class 1 NI contributions.

We have used the tax years ending 5 april 2008 and 5 april 2009 to assess your claim.

Not entirely sure what they mean, are they cutting me off completely? I'm not entirely sure what they mean by NI contribution credits, but why does that even come into it? I am on a income based claim.

Can someone please explain what this all actually means? It's so frustrating that i received this on a Saturday and therefore do not get the chance to call them up until Monday.

Thank you in advance for the help.

masternails

I used to process JSA. There are 2 types of JSA. Contribution based, where they look at your NI contributions for the last 2 full tax years and Income based where they look at household income if you haven't paid enough NI Contributions. The wording indicates because you missed an appointment your claim has ended, however the bit about you not having made sufficient contributions indicates they have processed on NI information. If it turns out they have ended your claim you may be better making a fresh claim on line NOW as they have very strict guidelines for allowing backdating if you wait until Monday before speaking to them then claiming. If they haven't closed your claim you can ask for an explanation and then cancel the new claim made on line with them. Just thinking of you covering yourself as no-one gets JSA for the first 3 days anyway as these are called waiting days

Nick88_2

Thanks Masternails for the reply.

The thing is, i'm aware that there are 2 types of JSA, but how can they cut me if i am not on contribution based? I am on income based, it makes no sense, or am i missing something here and the NI credits still affect you even if you are on income based ('im guessing not) ?

The frustrating thing here is that they say my reason for missing an appointment is not good enough, which is frustrating, as it is a genuine reason. My attendance up until now has been 100%, surely they can give me the benefit of the doubt.

masternails

I'm afraid they give no-one the benefit of the doubt. The contribution based JSA is only payable for 6 months and then you have to go onto Income Based. At this point they take household income into account. So maybe your 6 months has run out?

Nick88_2

masternails wrote: »

I'm afraid they give no-one the benefit of the doubt. The contribution based JSA is only payable for 6 months and then you have to go onto Income Based. At this point they take household income into account. So maybe your 6 months has run out?

But i have been on income based from the very start, which has been about a year ago now. I have attended every appointment since on time, surely this counts for something. When i first told them i missed my sign in date, they said at the very worst they'll suspend my pay for a week, now to get this news just a week later is a big shock.

Btw, by the sound of the letter, does it categorically sound as though they have cut me off? Or is it still potentially only for one week, as they stated in the first place?

Hopefully all this doesn't matter, i have a couple of PA interviews this week, which i have been practising on for the past week. But nonetheless, if it is a permanent cut, i'd be devastated as i need the cash.

Edit: Just remembered it's a bank holiday this Monday, the agony will last now until Tuesday. Ouch.

masternails

It is unclear if it is a suspension or they have ended your claim. This is why i suggested claiming on line today, just incase they have ended your claim. If when you get to speak to them on Tuesday they say it is a suspension you can ask to cancel the new claim you have made on line as you were confused. Its just if you don't claim today, no-one gets paid for the first 3 days so, if they have ended your claim and you waited to speak to them on Tuesday you are doing yourself out of more money by waiting

Nick88_2

Ok cheers mate, will make a new claim now.

Thanks again.

masternails

your welcome

realshannon

it does depend on your reason for non attendance, if you have something that you can provide them, like a dental appointment card or such like, that will really help. From what it says, I dont think it has anything to do with income based or C JSA claim. like you say, if you have been on income based from the start. Also yes you do get your NI paid whichever version of JSA you are on - dont forget that if you are getting housing benefit, this suspension of benefit could also affect that so you need to get it sorted and be clear. when I used to process benefit, the decision is sent off to a Decision Maker and its them that decide whether you had a good reason not to attend. it also depends when you made contact after missing the appointment. I wouldnt personally make a reclaim as you dont know if the claim has been closed down yet and you would only need to make a reclaim which isnt an extensive form - hope that helps