New style JSA or UC?

RebTech

I just heard I'm being kicked off ESA and should claim JSA immediately. I'll likely contest the ESA decision but will put any questions about that in a different thread. This is about deciding between JSA and UC. They were emphatic I should get that claim in whether I intend to appeal or not.

Because I've been on ESA up to now I can't claim JSA online, I have to ring. I did that this morning and the guy basically tried to talk me into claiming UC instead. I'm under the vague impression I'd be better off on JSA but I'm not at all sure and would appreciate advice. (I told the guy I needed to think about it.) Unfortunately, the situation is a wee bit complicated.

I'm in a full service UC area, single and live alone in private rented accommodation, with capital < £6k. My only income besides ESA and HB/CTR is a small occupational pension, < £130/month. I reach Pension Credit age next March and state pension age in September '18. I'm quite sure I have sufficient NI for new style JSA, though maybe I need to complete and submit my tax return for 16/17 to prove that (the previous year's record is complete).

What MIGHT be another option is to declare myself self-employed and claim working tax credit but I'd guess that would impact badly on an ESA appeal. Also, it seems these days the business has to be viable, rather than just an excuse to avoid the hassles of JSA. And there too I might be forced to go for UC rather than WTC.

The main reason I think JSA (or maybe WTC) might be right from their point of view as well as mine is that I've seen somewhere you can't claim UC while on HB.

Any comments?

NineDeuce

I would prefer the 'get a job' option....

RebTech

NineDeuce wrote: »

I would prefer the 'get a job' option....

So would I, but my hot, red, painful knee says "no".

In fact, any potential employer who knew about the knee would probably say no too -- that is if they hadn't already been put off by my age (64) and not having been in regular employment since 2000.

nannytone_2

to claim JSA you would need to have paid ( not been credited with) NI contributions in the tax years 14/15 and 15/16

donnajunkie

nannytone wrote: »

to claim JSA you would need to have paid ( not been credited with) NI contributions in the tax years 14/15 and 15/16

There’s income based jsa if they haven’t. I guess there’s an income based version of uc also.

nannytone_2

donnajunkie wrote: »

There’s income based jsa if they haven’t. I guess there’s an income based version of uc also.

universal credit is replacing income related JSA.

thats why i sized the criteria for contributions based JSA

donnajunkie

nannytone wrote: »

universal credit is replacing income related JSA.

thats why i sized the criteria for contributions based JSA

It’s replacing jsa altogether isnt it? Your post may have led them to believe they would not qualify for anything. The aim of mine was to just point out an income based benefit should be available for anyone who does not qualify for a contribution based benefit.

nannytone_2

UC is only replacing income related JSA.

contributions based JSA and ESA are still available.

i clearly stated that those that paid NI through employment ( not through credits) in the tax years 14/15 and 15/16 should be entitled to contributions based JSA rather than needing to claim universal credit

RebTech

nannytone wrote: »

to claim JSA you would need to have paid ( not been credited with) NI contributions in the tax years 14/15 and 15/16

OK, I have full contribution records for these years, as well as about six months' worth in 16/17.

nannytone_2

you should claim contributions based JSA then .... but you will be expected to actively seek employment.

some allowances should be made due to health, but it is variable how much leeway they will give you.

once your mandatory reconsideration has been processed ... you would either go back onto ESA or appeal .... during which time you would be allowed to claim assessment rate ESA. but that is dependant on how long your previous ESA claim lasted and which group you were placed into

RebTech

Thanks nannytone. I've had just over 11 months ESA and was about to apply for the IR version, but there's probably no point worrying about that now, I need to focus on getting "new style" JSA and the ESA appeal (MR in the first instance). Thanks again.