Refused JSA

pd1_2

My husband has was made redundant last month and has put in a claim for JSA. He was told today that this has been refused because we have assets of over £16,000 in the shape of a share of a house in Spain. They seem to be treating this as if we have liquid assets. The house isn't selling, so instead of an asset it's more a millstone round the neck. Our problem is that we have 2 children and rent to pay at the beginning of the month. They seem totally uninterested in this fact and we have nothing left, we are at the bottom of the barrel. Is there anywhere that we can get any help at all or are we destined to be on the streets and unable to feed our children.

Torry_Quine

Has he been working for the last few years and paying NI. As this would allow him to get six months contribution based JSA.

rogerblack

Is the house actually on the market?
As I understood, in this case it could be disregarded for a period of up to 26 weeks, or more if reasonable.
If it is not on the market, it can't usually be disregarded.

pd1_2

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Has he been working for the last few years and paying NI. As this would allow him to get six months contribution based JSA.

He has been working again in this country since last April and paying tax and NI, prior to that he worked in Spain but before that he worked for 40 years and paid his taxes in England.

pd1_2

rogerblack wrote: »

Is the house actually on the market?
As I understood, in this case it could be disregarded for a period of up to 26 weeks, or more if reasonable.
If it is not on the market, it can't usually be disregarded.

.

The house was on the market but, unfortunately nothing is selling over there at the moment. Having said that it can soon be put back on the market if this would help.

Torry_Quine

pd1 wrote: »

He has been working again in this country since last April and paying tax and NI, prior to that he worked in Spain but before that he worked for 40 years and paid his taxes in England.

then he won't be eligible for contribution based JSA as that is on the contributions of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011.

princessdon

Do you/can you work?

My OH was made redundant in 2010 and I got a 2nd job to pay the bills.

Not idea I know (especially if you have young children) but needs must and all that.

pd1_2

princessdon wrote: »

Do you/can you work?

My OH was made redundant in 2010 and I got a 2nd job to pay the bills.

Not idea I know (especially if you have young children) but needs must and all that.

I am in the process of starting my own business, but that doesn't help us with the here and now I'm afraid. I can't start earning until early Oct and we need to find the rent money for the 1st.

pd1_2

Torry_Quine wrote: »

then he won't be eligible for contribution based JSA as that is on the contributions of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011.

What about taxes paid abroad. Do they count at all, do you know?

ampersand

Just about to switch off pd1, but can't just read and run.

You urgently need a Benefits mot appt with your nearest CAB.

I would strongly suggest you ring CAP - see my signature - strongly praised by Martin and, for further reassurance, read mumoftwins' Threads and how they saved her.

My praises for them and all they do[without proselytising] are made with strong knowledge of what they do for everybody who goes to them.

Please try. In the meantime, I know that posting situations that seem inescapable at this time of night is not a solution. Can you put it all away for now? - make a hot drink? - read a book in bed? then face tomorrow with a sense of sure help on the way if you ring CAP. Remember we are in nasty times right now and they're worsening, so an appointment may not be possible instantest with either your CAB or CAP - BUT THEY WILL HELP YOU.
You are not alone - there's all sorts of other help here too. for cheaper household expenses, cooking from scratch and batch baking, bargain shopping, old-style money-saving......
Make that call first thing - promise?

benefitbaby

pd1 wrote: »

He has been working again in this country since last April and paying tax and NI, prior to that he worked in Spain but before that he worked for 40 years and paid his taxes in England.

Have you asked DWP whether his Spanish work (and contributions can be counted towards JSA in this country. I am not very well versed in this area of benefits but I know that the UK has a reciprocal agreements with Spain (under EU law) and this may assist.