Redundancy & Benefits

Soph_elizabeth

Morning All,
Appologies if this has been asked, I have tried to search but seem to be going around in circles. 
I have 2 questions.
I was made redunant last Friday (Friday 12th February) as the company I worked for went into administartion.
The appointed administartors told us we needed to apply for Job Seekers allowance or Universal Credit. I ran a calculator which told me JSA was the best for me.
I do have approx £6k worth of savings, but at £75 per week, and with no help towards my mortgage, JSA doesn't cover my bills so my savings will decrease very quickly. I also live alone.
Can anyone advise me whether I have applied for the correct benefit? Is it worth me applying for both? Or shall I reapply for UC after my savings have decreased?
I also am due to go to the dentist next week. I have tried to establish whether I am entitled to free treatment and perscriptions. From what I have read, it depends what type of JSA I am on, income based or contributionary. Until I hear back from them I dont know which I am entitled to. Can anyone advise me on this too?
I class myself as being switched on, but this has me completely baffled!
Thanks in advance.

poppy12345

You can claim New style JSA and Universal Credit at the same time but the NsJSA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. UC standard allowance is £409.89 (over 25's) per month, although this has been increased by about £90 per month due to Covid and is due to return to it's usual amount from April, unless they decide to extend the increase further but we won't know that until the budget on 3rd March.

Claiming New style JSA will depend on your NI contributions in tax years April 2018 to March 2020, if you've paid the correct amount you will be able to claim it. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-jobseekers-allowance This is a weekly benefit paid fortnightly.

The deduction for the JSA will be £322 per month, this will then leave you with £87 UC. There will not be any help with your mortgage until 9 concecutive months of zero earnings and even then it's just a loan through support for mortgage interest (SMI)

There is no free NHS treatment when claiming NsJSA but there can be when claiming UC providing you have earnings of less than £435 per month. See link. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/help-with-health-costs-for-people-getting-universal-credit/

If you are expecting any final pay from working then you should claim UC once you've received this. Although redundancy pay is ignored as income for UC it is classed as savings, any holiday pay and pay in lieu will count as earnings and reduce your UC by 63%.