Redundant, found work, 4 months later redundant again

singhini

Help needed in understanding entitlement to New Style JSA.

Situation is the person has worked continuously for 10+ years.

Then in August 2018 they were made redundant and claimed JSA (old style JSA). They were on JSA for 2 days short of 6 months and then found work (i.e. unemployed 8th Aug 18 till 4th Feb 19) .

The new job starts 4th Feb but unfortunately they are made redundant from this job 4 months later i.e. Mid June.

They just had their Jobcentre interview today and the gentleman explained that the old style JSA had been replaced with the new style JSA and that since the person had claimed quite recently, that the "processing team" will review this application and they might not accept this new claim and thus the person might not be entitled to receive the £70ish a fortnight (he went onto explain that should this be the case, the friend in question could try to apply for just National Insurance credits).

The chap at the jobcentre mentioned that the claim would depend on the amount of tax paid in the last two tax years, but I couldn't really understand why someone would not be entitled to JSA (even the new style JSA) since the person in question had worked 18 months out of the last 24 months and has been in a good paying job (circa £50k).

Any thoughts on whether the person will be entitled to new style JSA?

Comms69

Are you sure they didn't say universal credit?


Aside from anything else, I don't think JSA is £700a month anyway.


As for being in a good paying job - where are this persons savings in that case?

calcotti

A new style JSA claim now will be based on NI paid from April 2016 to March 2018. This claim may be successful because the claim in August 2018 will have been assessed on the period April 2015 to March 2017.

JSA is £73.10/week. It is not means tested and only payable for 6 months maximum. Depending on circumstances may be able to claim Universal Credit, this is means tested but there is no time limit.

If help is needed with rent will have to claim UC - unless already getting Housing Benefit. If already getting Housing Benefit acclaim for UC will end the HB claim after two weeks and help with rent will instead come through UC.

singhini

Thanks Calcotti - what your saying makes sense i.e. the claim from August 2018 will be based on an earlier 24 month period.

@Comms69 - Thanks for your input (in my defence I did put £70-ish a fortnight and nothing about £700 a month?). Also the person does have saving (over the £16,000 threshold and thus they are only entitled to claim New Style JSA and not Universal Credit).

They are only in the mid thirties and I suggested to them on this and the previous occasion of unemployment that they should "sign-on" as I personally feel its not wise to have empty gaps of nothing showing in your employment record (even if it means going to the job centre).

Thank everyone

singhini

singhini wrote: »

Thanks Calcotti - what your saying makes sense i.e. the claim from August 2018 will be based on an earlier 24 month period.

@Comms69 - Thanks for your input (in my defence I did put £70-ish a fortnight and nothing about £700 a month?). Also the person does have saving (over the £16,000 threshold and thus they are only entitled to claim New Style JSA and not Universal Credit).

They are only in the mid thirties and I suggested to them on this and the previous occasion of unemployment that they should "sign-on" as I personally feel its not wise to have empty gaps of nothing showing in your employment record (even if it means going to the job centre).

Thank everyone

WOW - thank god I told my friend to not have any empty gaps on his record (did you people see the documentary on BBC2 called "The Unwanted"). That gentleman had lived in England over 50 years and they still wanted him to prove where and what he did.

What a scandal (the system is a vampire)

Comms69

singhini wrote: »

Thanks Calcotti - what your saying makes sense i.e. the claim from August 2018 will be based on an earlier 24 month period.

@Comms69 - Thanks for your input (in my defence I did put £70-ish a fortnight and nothing about £700 a month?). Also the person does have saving (over the £16,000 threshold and thus they are only entitled to claim New Style JSA and not Universal Credit).

They are only in the mid thirties and I suggested to them on this and the previous occasion of unemployment that they should "sign-on" as I personally feel its not wise to have empty gaps of nothing showing in your employment record (even if it means going to the job centre).

Thank everyone

Sorry totally misread it