JSA rules

Pint_of_Gem

Hi
I am currently in the 'consultation process' of redundancy and wondered what the rules are about JSA. I haven't been there long, so will only get 4 weeks notice and no extra payment.
I am in a pool of 4 people, for which there are 3 jobs. It has been intimated that I will not get any of the jobs on offer. If I tell them I don't want to be considered for the roles (ie, voluntary redundancy) can I still claim JSA?
I am extremely demotivated, have quite a long commute and just don't want to be there anymore.
I do, however, have a young family to think of.
My OH is self-employed and doing quite well, but still invoicing under £1k a month at the moment. I am unsure of the difference in qualifying for contribution-based JSA and income-based JSA.
(I have been continuously employed since I was 19, now 35, so NI contributions are not an issue).

BitterAndTwisted

You will automatically qualify for contributions-based JSA for six months. Thereafter you will have to apply for income-based and it's not certain that you will qualify for that as your OH is earning although you could be entitled to some income-based/means-tested benefits like Working-Tax Credits, Housing or Council Tax benefit. Could you manage if the only money coming into your household was your OH's income?

Please bear in mind that it won't be you personally who is being made redundant but the position that you fill and I don't think there's a way that the JobCentre people will be able to find out whether or not you asked to be considered for the remaining posts or not. The documentation you will be provided with by your employer regarding your redundancy should be what they may be interested in seeing when the time comes. Under the circumstances I would be moving heaven and earth to ensure I had a fighting chance of being considered for one of those posts unless I was truly confident of being able to secure alternative employment after redundancy.