Job Seekers Allowance if made redundant

howie7uk

I have been unable to work since May due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or ME.

I applied for DLA about 4 months ago, but have not had a decision yet.

I used to work 16 hours per week, my husband is in full time employment. I work for a well known high street firm, who have been good to me, originally dropping my hours to try and keep me working. However, they have now asked me to leave, saying that I am not fit to work. I'm not sure if they are asking me to resign, or they are going to make me redundant on the grounds of ill health.

I have heard that there are special advisors at job centres to help get people with disabilities and illnesses back to work in a suitable job. Would I be able to claim job seekers allowance if I were to leave my current position ?

Lou

dmg24

It depends on how much you have paid in NI Contributions in the past two financial years. If you have not paid enough, I doubt you would be eligible for income based JSA.

The Jobcentre does have Disability Advisors, though I have to admit I have always found them pretty useless. Hopefully yours will be better.

Hope you start to get better soon x

shelly

dmg24 wrote: »

It depends on how much you have paid in NI Contributions in the past two financial years. If you have not paid enough, I doubt you would be eligible for income based JSA.

I think you are a little muddled dmg.

I think you mean that if not enough NI contributions have been paid then OP wouldn't be eligible for contribution based JSA.
Not sure about thresholds for claiming income based JSA as OP said her husband works full time but might be worth finding out.

dmg24

No, I know what I meant, just a bit drunk!

I meant:

(Your eligibility for contributions based JSA) depends on how much you have paid in NI Contributions in the past two financial years. If you have not paid enough (and therefore are not eligible for contributions based), I doubt you would be eligible for income based JSA (because your husband works full time).

Things seem so much clearer when I've had a drink (or three!) x

healy

dmg24 wrote: »

It depends on how much you have paid in NI Contributions in the past two financial years. If you have not paid enough, I doubt you would be eligible for income based JSA.

The Jobcentre does have Disability Advisors, though I have to admit I have always found them pretty useless. Hopefully yours will be better.

Hope you start to get better soon x

I think you meant to say that if not enough NI had been paid that they would not be eligible for Contribution based JSA. Sorry didnt see shellys post.
Howie,
The other alternative if you are ill is to claim Incapacity Benefit but you would need to get a sick note from your Doctor for this.

dmg24

I'm getting concerned now because that is what my initial reply still reads to me ... I just missed out the complicated words!

I really shouldn't drink on my own ...

My programme was supposed to be on for an hour, but seems to have finished (drunk and blonde?), so I am off to bed.

One quick question before I go ... In the new Tesco advert, is Martine McCutcheon wearing a pom pom round her neck?!

Night night chaps, best of luck OP x

healy

On reading it again it does make sense if you think about it.

Sorry I have not seen the new Tesco advert but will keep an eye out for you.

Sweet dreams.

shelly

dmg24 wrote: »

No, I know what I meant, just a bit drunk!

I meant:

(Your eligibility for contributions based JSA) depends on how much you have paid in NI Contributions in the past two financial years. If you have not paid enough (and therefore are not eligible for contributions based), I doubt you would be eligible for income based JSA (because your husband works full time).

Things seem so much clearer when I've had a drink (or three!) x

I get it now you added the bits in brackets

howie7uk

Thanks for the replies folks.



As usual looks like I wont get anything. Haven't paid hardly any NI over the last couple of years due to reduced hours...have to wait for the DLA, which I doubt I will get as well !!

ukdickie31

Just a thought...

Would you be better claiming Income Support and Incapacity Benefit based upon the reasons for your job ending - ie health ?

If your GP would be willing to give you a sick note when your job ends, this may be a better route for support back into work. The contributions rules will be the same so benefit payment would depend on what you have paid in National Insurance in the 2005/06 and 2004/05 tax years.

Incapacity Benefit customers do have to attend Work Focussed Interviews when claiming benefits and there is a lot more 'private sector' led support via referrals from the Incapacity Benefit advisers within the Jobcentres.

The big difference between Incapacity Benefit and JSA is that Incap gives you the choice to work whereas JSA expect you to work.

HM Gov't is trying to encourage those on Incap back into work and there are a lot more options of support to enable this to be done.

JSA on the other hand expects people to work and a lot of support isn't available until you have been unemployed for 6 months or more.

alwaysonthego_2

Do you agree with your bosses desicion? I would of thought that they could not get rid of you on grounds of a disability, this is discrimiation.

Any thoughts?