We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

When to claim?

Hello

I have just been made redundant, two weeks notice.

I called the Job Centre, they say to put in a claim immediately. But I am in a region covered by Universal Credit and they say I cant claim until I am actually out of work.

Worried about rent. So, when to claim??
    To those who are given much, much is expected


      Fiver Friday #8 £5

      Comments

      • Jamiesmum
        Jamiesmum Posts: 368 Forumite
        Well if you can't claim until you're actually out of work, you'll have to claim in 2 weeks. I don't know what else too advise if they've already told you that.

        You will get in arrears no doubt but they'll backdate it too the day of your claim I believe.

        You could be in another job by then, though. (assuming you're looking already) So I wouldn't spend too much time panicking about it.
      • pmlindyloo
        pmlindyloo Posts: 13,104 Forumite
        Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
        sams247 wrote: »
        Hello

        I have just been made redundant, two weeks notice.

        I called the Job Centre, they say to put in a claim immediately. But I am in a region covered by Universal Credit and they say I cant claim until I am actually out of work.

        Worried about rent. So, when to claim??

        Are you eligible for contribution based JSA? Have you been paying class 1 NI contributions for the last two tax years?
      • sams247
        sams247 Posts: 1,368 Forumite
        Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Homepage Hero Photogenic
        pmlindyloo wrote: »
        Are you eligible for contribution based JSA? Have you been paying class 1 NI contributions for the last two tax years?

        Yes.

        It seems daft question I know, I think I am panicking, never been in this situation on my own.
          To those who are given much, much is expected


            Fiver Friday #8 £5
          1. pmlindyloo
            pmlindyloo Posts: 13,104 Forumite
            Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
            sams247 wrote: »
            Yes.

            It seems daft question I know, I think I am panicking, never been in this situation on my own.

            Not a daft question at all.

            Universal Credit is a new benefit and us lay people are finding it difficult to know the 'rules' particularly as different areas are applying different 'rules'.

            Since you are entitled to contribution based JSA then you should be claiming this.

            As I understand it you claim this as a JSA claim and then make a claim for Universal Credit for your housing costs etc along side it.

            When you make the Universal Credit claim and it asked if you receive any other benefits you put in your contribution based JSA.

            Personally I would telephone the Universal Credit help line and ask them to talk you through the procedure.

            Contact number in this link:

            https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/universal-credit-eligibility/

            Good luck!
          This discussion has been closed.
          Meet your Ambassadors

          🚀 Getting Started

          Hi new member!

          Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

          Categories

          • All Categories
          • 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
          • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
          • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
          • 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
          • 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
          • 178.4K Life & Family
          • 261.5K Travel & Transport
          • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
          • 16K Discuss & Feedback
          • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

          Is this how you want to be seen?

          We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.