Applied for JSA and they’ve mailed me a p45?

markb12

Hi, 

I haven’t had to ever apply for any type of benefit before so I’m not sure on the system, how it works or what to expect. I applied online on May 12th for JSA and it allowed me the option to backdate my claim if needed, which I did to March 26th. The reason I had for this was because I didn’t apply earlier as my place of employment told me we would be furloughed or redeployed - their position only changed the first week of May when I was told neither would happen for me. 

Anyway, I received a letter today dated May 15th saying it relates to my claim for JSA. It then goes on to tell me it can count as taxable income etc and that ‘for the period up to 12 May 2020 in the 2021 tax year you received no job seekers allowance’ 

In a separate letter is a P45 I can provide a new employer which states my benefits stopped on 12th May 2020. I have never received any benefits before, not requested a P45 and can’t see why I would be receiving one when I haven’t even heard back if my application was successful never mind received any form of payment. 

Does anyone know if this is normal? This maybe makes sense and I’ve just missed the point but I’m entirely lost as to why I’ve been mailed this and not sure what it means. Thanks in advance! 

calcotti

Because JSA is taxable when a claim is closed a P45 is issued. 

markb12

I understand they would send me a P45 when a claim ends however I applied on the 12th May and they sent this on the 15th May, with the P45 stating my benefits stopped on May 12th? I haven’t had my application approved yet or received any payments from them either. 

poppy12345

It's because you're not entitled to New style JSA so your claim ended on the date you applied.

calcotti

I wonder whether you have failed the NI requirements to qualify for JSA. Were you working and paying NI in the tax years 2017-18 and 2018-19?

markb12

Thanks Poppy, I was afraid that may be the reason. I’m unsure why they didn’t mention that in their letters or provide their reasoning, but it is what it is I suppose. I did believe I met the requirements but perhaps not. 

markb12

calcotti said:

I wonder whether you have failed the NI requirements to qualify for JSA. Were you working and paying NI in the tax years 2017-18 and 2018-19?

So, I was working and paid NI 2017-18 and for 2018/19 I was living and working abroad, so that may have caused it? I thought I had read though that the requirement was 26 weeks within the last two years of paid work/NI contributions which I do meet that, or so I thought. 

poppy12345

markb12 said:

calcotti said:

I wonder whether you have failed the NI requirements to qualify for JSA. Were you working and paying NI in the tax years 2017-18 and 2018-19?

  for 2018/19 I was living and working abroad, so that may have caused it?

Yes that will be your problem. There's 2 conditions you need to meet to qualify for New style JSA and it's the 2nd one that you have the problem with.

You qualify for contributory/new-style JSA if you have made the following level of National Insurance Contributions:

• in one of the last two complete tax years, have paid Class 1 (or special Class 2) contributions to the value of 26 times the lower earnings limit; and
• in both of the last two complete tax years, have paid or been credited with, Class 1 (or special class 2) contributions to the value of 50 times the lower earnings limit.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/jobseekers-allowance

markb12

poppy12345 said:

markb12 said:

calcotti said:

I wonder whether you have failed the NI requirements to qualify for JSA. Were you working and paying NI in the tax years 2017-18 and 2018-19?

  for 2018/19 I was living and working abroad, so that may have caused it?

Yes that will be your problem. 

Thanks Poppy, I have obviously been working again in the UK since May 2019 but I’m guessing that won’t assist? The country I was working in during that year I also paid an insanely high amount of tax due to being a temporary visa holder (nothing like tax discrimination!!) so I’m kicking myself quite a bit now to know that decision has scuppered all my years of work here now the time has come when I actually need help. 

poppy12345

Unfortunately paying years of tax doesn't help when claiming a benefit like this because it those 2 preivous years that count.

Have you looked at claiming Universal Credit? If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you'll be excluded from claiming.