Can I leave my job and not be suspended from jsa

bwfcsteven

Hi. Can anyone advise me please? My contracted hours have been lowered to 22 a week. My tax credits state as I am claiming as a couple it must be 24 hours a week to claim. If I were to leave my employment and claim jsa, would I be suspended for leaving voluntary? I have done a calculation and I am currently worse off. Please help.

Caz3121

do you get the option of overtime or could you pick up some self employed work. Could your partner look at working a few hours.
You could well be sanctioned for up to 26 weeks, is your partner currently claiming JSA?

bwfcsteven

My partner isn't able to work due to ill health and isn't claiming anything other than child benefit. There sometimes is overtime but not always. My problem is am I claiming tax credits wrongfully because I am working less than 24 hrs?

tomtontom

You do need to advise HMRC if your hours have fallen. Is your partner not able to do any work at all, a few hours cleaning or something from home?

pmlindyloo

tomtontom wrote: »

You do need to advise HMRC if your hours have fallen. Is your partner not able to do any work at all, a few hours cleaning or something from home?

Or can you not get a couple of hours of work in a pub in the evening?

Are you saying that losing your working tax credit would make you worse off than claiming JSA?

Remember you would still get child tax credits.

Put your details into https://www.entitledto.co.uk to get an idea of how much you would get in child tax credits.

bwfcsteven

This is why I am asking. My hours have only just been cut and if I lose tax credits I will be more in trouble and will have to claim jsa. But will I be penalised? I don't want to be a "doley" but will I have no choice? I was just above the work versus benefits threshold by around a fiver, not much I know but at least I was above it. If I lose my tax credits I won't be. Is this a valid reason to not be suspended?

tomtontom

bwfcsteven wrote: »

This is why I am asking. My hours have only just been cut and if I lose tax credits I will be more in trouble and will have to claim jsa. But will I be penalised? I don't want to be a "doley" but will I have no choice? I was just above the work versus benefits threshold by around a fiver, not much I know but at least I was above it. If I lose my tax credits I won't be. Is this a valid reason to not be suspended?

No, not when you are already in work. In fact it would be madness to give up your job. You need to concentrate on (one of you) getting more hours. It would be far easier to find a few more hours work than a new full time position.

HappyMJ

bwfcsteven wrote: »

This is why I am asking. My hours have only just been cut and if I lose tax credits I will be more in trouble and will have to claim jsa. But will I be penalised? I don't want to be a "doley" but will I have no choice? I was just above the work versus benefits threshold by around a fiver, not much I know but at least I was above it. If I lose my tax credits I won't be. Is this a valid reason to not be suspended?

When your hours are reduced it involves a change to your contracted terms and conditions with your employer. You would have to refuse to agree to the change to your contract and then your employer would have to terminate your employment as you would now be surplus to requirements. You would then be entitled to JSA. If you have already agreed to reduce your hours you cannot leave now without potentially being sanctioned.

You will still get child tax credits no matter how many hours you do.

As suggested earlier you should find anything to do for at least 2 hours per week and you can keep your working tax credits.

MidnightHour

I wouldn't give up a job to be at the mercy of JSA rules and it's sanctions.

All you need to do is find another 2 hours work a week, that could be self employment like taking surveys online or doing a mystery shop.

Have a look at the up your income board for ideas.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=145

bwfcsteven

I currently get 63 child and 62 working and come out with around 120 wage. I don't get full housing benefit or council tax. I have to pay 68 towards housing and 21 council tax. My older daughter works who lives with us which is why I don't get full housing/council tax. Which element of tax credits will I lose because of my cut in hours.i appreciate you saying find another job to top up my hours. Easier said than done.

bwfcsteven

HappyMJ wrote: »

When your hours are reduced it involves a change to your contracted terms and conditions with your employer. You would have to refuse to agree to the change to your contract and then your employer would have to terminate your employment as you would now be surplus to requirements. You would then be entitled to JSA. If you have already agreed to reduce your hours you cannot leave now without potentially being sanctioned.

You will still get child tax credits no matter how many hours you do.

As suggested earlier you should find anything to do for at least 2 hours per week and you can keep your working tax credits.

Thanks. I haven't yet "officially"agreed. So will keep that in mind.