Will I get JSA (Contribution based) with these NI credits?

pingu-lingo

Does anyone know if the NI credits I get through child benefit count in order for me to receive JSA that is contribution based?

2011/12
I have 5 months full time employed working and then the rest of the year I was on maternity leave

2012/13

I had 8 weeks maternity leave pay and then was paid for 4-5 weeks full time working (owed annual leave) but then didnt work for the rest of this year. I was receiving NI credits through child benefit for the whole year though.
(I also had a 2nd baby in the October although didnt claim maternity leave / maternity allowance if that makes a difference).

Does anyone know if I will get JSA with this above history? thanks for any advice or info.

Thomas_The_Tank_Top

Delighted to inform you the answer is no.

Will count towards your pension though. Not bad really as you are contributing bog all anyway.

pingu-lingo

poo - thats annoying as I'd like to go back to contributing (as I have done for the past 15 years) and was hoping the JSA money would help with a business plan I have. oh well. Thanks for the info

enabledebra

It depends on the level of your earnings in the last 2 full tax years before the 'benefit year' in which you make your claim (benefit years run Jan to Jan). The tax years they will look at for a JSA claim in Aug 2013 are 10/11 and 11/12. You need to have paid or been credited with class 1 NIC's on earnings of £4850 in 10/11 and £5100 in 11/12. Look at your P60's for those years.

pingu-lingo

thanks enabledebra, I didnt realise it would be as far back as 10/11 that I would be assessed on - that means I should be ok as I was working then but I will check P60s. Thanks for the info

Dunroamin

pingu-lingo wrote: »

poo - thats annoying as I'd like to go back to contributing (as I have done for the past 15 years) and was hoping the JSA money would help with a business plan I have. oh well. Thanks for the info

Will you actually be looking for employment?

pingu-lingo

yes I have been applying for jobs for the past month.

My understanding is that if I am eligible for JSA then I am also eligible for the NEA (new enterprise allowance). I would prefer to go on that scheme whilst I am jobhunting to help with a business idea I have, and the weekly allowance would cover my initial set up costs. I dont expect to make much money to start off with so I still need an actual job too. But obv if I get a job sooner rather than later than that will cover my business plan set-up costs instead.

epitome

Delighted to tell you Thomas The Tank Top (from La La Land) doesn't a clue what he is talking about.

Your child benefit NI credits will go towards your assessment for JSA - yes - but there also needs to be some earnings.
If you had no NI credits from benefits during tax year 10/11 then you will need earnings of £4,850 (add up columns 1,2,3,& 4 on your P60)
As you have some NI credits in tax year 11/12 you won't need the full £5,100 in earnings, but if you have the full £5,100 so much the better.

Just apply for JSA Conts only and see if it works out.!!

pingu-lingo

Just to report back that I applied online Sunday, job centre appt on Tuesday and text received today confirming my claim has been approved.

Still haven't been able to find out more about the new enterprise scheme - advisor was vague and said I could discuss at my first signing on appointment next week.

So thanks again for the info on tax years etc