working under 16 hours, don't want to claim JSA

girlybags

So recently my hours at work have dropped to less than 16pw, I currently work about 11 hours. This is likely to be temporary but may be until summer as the shop I work in is very quiet at the moment (as is everywhere). I'm a single parent, I currently claim CTC WTC CB HB.

I have had to inform Tax Credits that my hours have reduced as this is my 4th week on cut hours so I won't be eligible for WTC as of next week. I have made a claim for JSA and have an appointment for tomorrow but I really hate signing on! I find it so degrading and downright depressing if I'm honest. They have allocated me the nearest Jobcentre but this one is a pain to get to so will be ringing up when they open at 9 to see if I can switch to one more convenient.

Anyway, that's beside the point, my question is this; do I really have to sign on in my present circumstances or can I just not bother? What I mean is, will I still be entitled to HB, free school meals etc if I don't claim JSA? I can do without the £20 a week they will give me, it will be worth not claiming it to not have to jump through hoops for whichever awful person deals with my claim (I find a lot of them ok at the centre more convenient for me actually but some of them are uninterested jobsworths!). I do plan on looking for either a few hours elsewhere to get me back up to 16 hours or another part-time job that will work during school hours (shifts where I work currently are 10-6 so I have to arrange for someone to pick up my son and local after school clubs finish at 5 or 6 so they're no good) but I would rather not have to write everything down and have to justify myself to some random at the Jobcentre every 2 weeks.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any help

Morglin

Housing Benefit is based purely on income, so you would keep that, but, in order to claim free meals, you have to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

Lin

pmlindyloo

The only problem I have seen relating to not claiming JSA was when the JSA in question was contribution based.

HB then took this as notional income (treated it as if you were receiving it) until the client could prove that they were not entitled to it.

Signing on will also mean that your NI contributions would be paid.

Just go ahead and notify all the relevant benefit departments of the change of circumstances and any adjustments, if needed, can be made.

girlybags

Thanks for all replies. I have cancelled my JSA claim as I can claim free school meals without it (just need proof of CTC) and have put HB in the picture so hopefully should get an increase there as well as CTB.

Feeling very relieved that I won't have to sign on for the time being and just hoping that my hours will go back up to 16 in the forseeable future.

Thanks again

StormyWeather_2

Regarding NI contributions, read this to see if you qualify for the credits as you claim Child Benefit:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/start/claiming/protect-pension.htm

girlybags

StormyWeather wrote: »

Regarding NI contributions, read this to see if you qualify for the credits as you claim Child Benefit:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/start/claiming/protect-pension.htm

Yes I should get this. Is it automatic or do I have to apply for it, do you know?