Joint JSA and working less than 16 hours

rokat

Me and my partner have been claiming joint contribution based JSA since the middle of September.

I am a supply teacher and worked 1 and a half days on the 11th and 12th of October (about 9 hours). Now because I earnt over the allowance for that week I knew that I would not get any JSA for that one week (which is due to be paid on Monday). I have not worked since then because of lack of work/half term.

Today me and my partner received 5 letters from benefit centre. One said that our joint claim ended on the 18th October because 'the law says we cannot pay you', another was my P45, another said I may be entitled to a tax refund, another said I am not entitled to JSA because 'I have more money coming in than the law says I need to live on' and the final letter saying that my partner is entitled to single JSA (£56.25 a week).

Is this usual if you work whilst on JSA? Like I said I only worked 9 hours in one week and haven't worked anything since then. My understanding was that you could work up to 16 hours and still claim JSA but if you earnt over the £56 you just didn't receive any money for that week? I just wanted to see if this was normal before ringing up the benefits people.

The letter was dated 29th October and we have both been signing on weekly at the job centre. We went yesterday and no one said anything was wrong with our claim. We also claim housing benefit and council tax benefit in my partners name, will this be affected?

rokat

Please any help would be appreciated

princessdon

Did you declare your earnings with JC and remain signing on?

rokat

princessdon wrote: »

Did you declare your earnings with JC and remain signing on?

I did. I filled in the sheet where I say how many hours I've worked and also provided them with a copy of my payslip.

princessdon

Then I'd give them a ring - that is 100% correct for the time you worked, eg once you earn over £111 pw you are not entitled (neither is your partner) that week, if you earnt less than that it is taken off the benefits. Have you had a payment since then?

You'd be better off going down tomorrow to make sure (and also in case they informed HB etc) and take your payslips again - it could be a series of worthless letters at bad timing but this is something youd be best of dealing with in person in case there has been a glitch somewhere.

rokat

princessdon wrote: »

Then I'd give them a ring - that is 100% correct for the time you worked, eg once you earn over £111 pw you are not entitled (neither is your partner) that week, if you earnt less than that it is taken off the benefits. Have you had a payment since then?

You'd be better off going down tomorrow to make sure (and also in case they informed HB etc) and take your payslips again - it could be a series of worthless letters at bad timing but this is something youd be best of dealing with in person in case there has been a glitch somewhere.

Thanks for that info. I didn't realise my partner wouldn't get his allowance either if it was over £111, something ill have to keep in mind in the future.
We have been paid since I worked. I worked on the 11th and 12th and received JSA on the 22nd.

I will go down in the morning and try and sort it out. Just a bit annoying that I was there this morning and the guy didn't say anything when apparently according to the letters my claim has been stopped since the 18th!

princessdon

If hes on cont based JSA then it won't affect him, income based will. It sounds like all the letters have bad timing if you have had a payment but best pop down especially with Housing Benefit etc to ensure all is well.

Good luck with your teaching career! this time of year always brings a lot of work (stress and illness in teachers is rife this half term) so hopefully work will start to increase for you.