No benefits...?

asdf1982

aphid2aphid wrote: »

Thanks for your comments.
So does this mean that for almost two years I will not be entitled to any benefits of any kind, simply because i worked overseas for 5 years up to Dec 2012? If this is so it does seem harsh that for the first time in my life when I would welcome some support until I get back on my feet again, circumstances are stacked against me. No income, no benefits... how do people survive?

as others have mentioned your wife may be entitled to working tax credits while she is the only one working.

You and wife are treated as partnership that would share income and bills, obviously if you were on your own you would be entitled to JSA income based

p00hsticks

aphid2aphid wrote: »

So does this mean that for almost two years I will not be entitled to any benefits of any kind, simply because i worked overseas for 5 years up to Dec 2012?

No, it's not for 'almost two years', its permanent while your circumstances are unchanged. The NI credits you are getting now by signing on will count towards your state pension, but don't count towards any future contributions based benefits such as JSA or ESA - for that you need the class 1 contributions record you get from being employed. As other posters have said, your wifes earnings will be too much for you to qualify for means tested versions of JSA or ESA, although she may be eligible for working tax credits.

Even if you had never gone abroad and had a full NI history, contributions based JSA is only avaliable for a period of six months, after which you would be in exactly the same position as you are now.

aphid2aphid

Teahfc wrote: »

Where you forced to come back to UK through circumstances beyond you control? Was there no welfare option in the country you worked and paid tax in the last 5 years ?

Contract came to an end, one child returned a year previously to start Uni in the UK and my other child finished school and was only able to study what he wanted back in the UK. After 5 years away we also missed home and wanted to return.

Teahfc

aphid2aphid wrote: »

Contract came to an end, one child returned a year previously to start Uni in the UK and my other child finished school and was only able to study what he wanted back in the UK. After 5 years away we also missed home and wanted to return.

Have a house in Spain that I spend 3-4 months a year at, dozens locally ex pats have thrown in the towel in Spain to head back home.. Same deal no help, it's a catch 22, times have changed and not sure we have scraped the bottom even yet.

Edinburgh65

"So does this mean that for almost two years I will not be entitled to any benefits of any kind, simply because i worked overseas for 5 years up to Dec 2012? If this is so it does seem harsh that for the first time in my life when I would welcome some support until I get back on my feet again".

Two years is a long time, I know that it's not easy to find a job these days, but this statement makes it sound as though you don't expect to have found work within the next two years.

HB58

Edinburgh65 wrote: »

"So does this mean that for almost two years I will not be entitled to any benefits of any kind, simply because i worked overseas for 5 years up to Dec 2012? If this is so it does seem harsh that for the first time in my life when I would welcome some support until I get back on my feet again".

Two years is a long time, I know that it's not easy to find a job these days, but this statement makes it sound as though you don't expect to have found work within the next two years.

It is academic anyway because, as p00hsticks has said, the OP will not be entitled to JSA until and unless he gains 2 full years worth of NI contributions through paid employment (unless his financial situation changes and he becomes entitled to IR benefits).