Not entitled to contribution based jobseekers allowance

BlackMonk

Dear All

I became unemployed on March 28th. My jobentre has informed me that I am not entitled to income based jobseekers allowance because my wife is in full time employment. They have also informed me that I am not entitled to contribution based jobseekers allowance because I have not made enough NI contributions. I have been in full time employment for the last two financial years paying class 1 contributions. They want to see my P60 for FY2011-12 when I was in part time employment. Can somebody please tell me the rules for determining if you are entitled to contribution based jobseekers allowance?

Many thanks

HappyMJ

The last two tax years for benefit purposes are 11-12 and 12-13. 13-14 doesn't count until next year after the latest date the tax returns for that year are due. As you were in part time employment you may have missed a few weeks of contributions switching between employment if you didn't sign on or have any other reason.

You should continue to sign on to get national insurance contributions but you need to ask yourself if it's worth it or not.

p00hsticks

HappyMJ wrote: »

13-14 doesn't count until next year after the latest date the tax returns for that year are due.

Just to clarify -the changeover in years relates to the DWP 'benefit year' rather than being linked to when tax returns are due. A new benefits year starts just after the beginning of the calendar year (I think on the first Sunday of the year).

pmlindyloo

Useful link here:

http://lawcentreni.org/EoR/benefits-and-tax-credits/jobseekers-allowance.html

I shall book mark this as I can never find the NI conditions for contribution based JSA!

epitome

To apply in 2014
You need to have earned in 11/12 £5,100
and earned in 12/13 £5,350

To apply in 2015
You need to have earned in 12/13 £5,350
and earned in 13/14 £5,450


If in any tax year you were on JSA or ESA then you would have some benefit credits which would reduce the amount you need to have earned. by approx £100 per week of benefit.

You can remain signed on for NI credits only (if you need them)
But if you are still unemployed in 2015 and want to make a new claim to JSA to qualify and recv payment of JSA Conts - you will need to close your JSA claim around the end of September 2014 and leave a gap of 12 weeks or more before reclaiming in January 2015. You should wait to the 2nd week of January aswell