Redundancy & Job Seekers

1elfie1

I am in the process of being made redundant from a job I have had for 22 years. I have some savings and my wife works full time. I live in a full service universal credit area. I would not be entitled to any means tested benefit due
To my wife’s earning and our savings, but not clear to me whether I would initially be able to claim new style JSA /contributory JSA whilst I seek employment? Any advice appreciated. Thanks

ElefantEd

You will be able to claim contributions based JSA, and you should sign on to get some income whilst you look for another job. This will last 6 months (or until you get a job), after that the claim is based on income; though as I recall even if you don't receive any money it is still worth signing on this will register NI stamps for pension purposes.


Bad luck losing your job after such a long time though. Hoepfully you'll be able to find something else soon, with a good work record like that.

calcotti

ElefantEd wrote: »

You will be able to claim contributions based JSA . . This will last 6 months (or until you get a job), after that the claim is based on income...

In a UC area it is ‘new style’ JSA. After the six months is up there is no income based JSA. I believe however that you can still maintain the claim as a ‘Credits only’ claim although the whole issue of ‘credits only’ claims is causing a lot of confusion and there is a lack of clarity about how they work in a UC area.

The fact that your wife works full time does not necessarily mean that you would not qualify for some UC, will depend on joint savings (over £16,000 and you can’t apply), her earnings, whether you have children and your rent (if any). Benefits calculator here https://www.entitledto.co.uk.