students and JSA

Christa1

Couldn't find anything on this so apologies if something already exists.
My son has finished his 3rd year at Uni and is now looking for a job for a year before going onto do a masters degree.
Does anyone know if he is eligible to apply for JSA whilst looking for a job and if so when does this take effect?
Thanks.

kelloggs36

Did he work whilst studying at uni, enough to have paid national insurance contributions? If not, then he could qualify for JSA (IB) provided that he has less than 8k in the bank which will eliminate his entitlement altogether, and if he has anything over 3k, it will reduce what he can get. He will have to satisfy certain conditions, such as being actively seeking work and make himself available to do so if he has any restrictions. He could get a part-time job of less than 16 hours per week and still be able to sign on, provided he declares the work.

kelloggs36

If he DID pay enough contributions then he may qualify for JSA(C) which is contributions based and is fixed for a max of 26 weeks, and savings don't affect this entitlement. JSA(IB) is Income Based and is means tested and apart from the actively seeking work condition, it is the same as Income Support, but you have to sign on for it whereas for IS you don't.

healy

The capital limits are £6000 and £16000 now.

kelloggs36

Thanks! Clearly I am out of date.

Freefall

kelloggs36 wrote: »

If he DID pay enough contributions then he may qualify for JSA(C) which is contributions based and is fixed for a max of 26 weeks, and savings don't affect this entitlement. JSA(IB) is Income Based and is means tested and apart from the actively seeking work condition, it is the same as Income Support, but you have to sign on for it whereas for IS you don't.

Is a person able to claim JSA(IB) after they have exhausted their 26 weeks JSA(C)?

healy

Freefall wrote: »

Is a person able to claim JSA(IB) after they have exhausted their 26 weeks JSA(C)?

Yes as long as they within the Capital limits and the other rules and regulations are complied with.

jfdi

And if he is going to register as unemployed, not until the day after the year has OFFICIALLY ended for his Uni!

Christa1

My son never worked whilst at Uni but has had part time jobs during the summer break 2 years ago. I don't know the end of his academic year so will tell him to find out. He has no where near the money you mention so I guess he should be OK.
The JSA as another issue is an interesting one, my husband was made redundant last January and got JSA which only lasted for 6 months then that was it, we assumed it was because I was working full time that he didn't qualify for JSA any longer, is this correct? We also got tax credits for our daughted who is a 6th form student, and as a result got a lump sum payment at the end of last year.It worries me when I read on this forum about all that goes on with CTC and WTC and I wonder if we will now have to pay this money back?