"Penalised" for getting contribution-based JSA (help with eye tests etc)

poorlittlefish

After twenty years in work I have been in a relatively short period of unemployment (starting new job next month, thankfully). I've read that contribution-based JSA isn't means-tested, but when I had to declare my savings etc they could see I was under the £6,000 threshold. By having paid NI over the past two tax years haven't I been "penalised" by being put on contribution-based JSA rather than income-based?

By that I mean that I don't have much in the bank, only the same as someone on income-based JSA might have, yet I don't get any of the help that those people do (free eye tests, prescriptions etc). I've been paying my mortgage etc from my savings, so it's just as well I have the new job in the pipeline because I will soon have absolutely nothing left. Am I missing something about how JSA works?

Indie_Kid

But you can have a working partner. Someone on income based JSA can't.

Fill in a HC1 form.

schrodie

Despite having paid your taxes and contributions all your working life you're expected to use any extra household income that may be coming into your house to fund things like eye tests NHS dental care and prescriptions unlike someone who hasn't contributed nothing who gets the lot for "free". Also your CB JSA only lasts 6 months when afterwards you only get NICs and have to live either off your savings or any household income.

The tories have now applied the same criteria to CB ESA if your placed in the WRAG. You get thrown off CB ESA after 12 months if you have a partner earning £150 a week and/or working >24 hours a week and you both have to live off that income.

jacques_chirac

schrodie wrote: »

unlike someone who hasn't contributed nothing who gets the lot for "free".

Are you sure that is what you mean? Someone who hasn't contributed nothing will be in the same position as the OP.

schrodie

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Are you sure that is what you mean? Someone who hasn't contributed nothing will be in the same position as the OP.

What I meant was that if you're claiming IB JSA then you automatically don't pay for your prescriptions, eye tests and NHS dental care plus a few other things. This automatic entitlement doesn't apply to those claiming CB JSA.

The same applies to those on IB ESA and CB ESA.

SkyeKnight

Interesting question though - can you claim income based JSA instead of contribution based JSA if you qualify and you want to? Surely the answer is yes??

MissMoneypenny

There are always places offering Free eye tests. https://www.hotukdeals.com metioned another one last night.

Indie_Kid

SkyeKnight wrote: »

Interesting question though - can you claim income based JSA instead of contribution based JSA if you qualify and you want to? Surely the answer is yes??

You can't choose. They check your contributions first and if you don't have enough, they then check your income and savings if you provided them.

wildwestfan

schrodie wrote: »

What I meant was that if you're claiming IB JSA then you automatically don't pay for your prescriptions, eye tests and NHS dental care plus a few other things. This automatic entitlement doesn't apply to those claiming CB JSA.

The same applies to those on IB ESA and CB ESA.

I think it may be being suggested that you are using a double negative.

As my children were taught 'if you ain't got none you must have some'.

nannytone_2

schrodie wrote: »

What I meant was that if you're claiming IB JSA then you automatically don't pay for your prescriptions, eye tests and NHS dental care plus a few other things. This automatic entitlement doesn't apply to those claiming CB JSA.

The same applies to those on IB ESA and CB ESA.

people on income related benefit receive these things automatically as there will be no/very little other household income.

for conts based benefit, houshold income isnt counted and so there is no limit to the amount of money going in.

it would be ridiculous to give people receiving conts based benefit automatic entitlement to free prescriptions/fental/eue tests etc.

they fill in the HC1 and prove their low income in the same way as those on income related benefits must prove their household income

schrodie

nannytone wrote: »

people on income related benefit receive these things automatically as there will be no/very little other household income.

for conts based benefit, houshold income isnt counted and so there is no limit to the amount of money going in.

it would be ridiculous to give people receiving conts based benefit automatic entitlement to free prescriptions/fental/eue tests etc.

they fill in the HC1 and prove their low income in the same way as those on income related benefits must prove their household income

I agree but I think the suggestion from the OP was (double negatives notwithstanding!!) that despite working and paying his taxes etc he's being penalised for having been made to do so and up to a point I agree with him particularly when it comes to ESA.

Plus of course CB JSA is only payable for 6 months unlike IB JSA which can go on for as long as you meet the [strict] means testing criteria. However it could be that you end up worse off than someone on IB JSA even though you may have an income coming into the house.