Newstyle JSA..should I claim?

saver79

Hello, I’m looking for your advice/opinion on my situation..I am 62, single, used to work part-time but was furloughed March 2020, and I resigned in August, when furlough ended, as I wanted to look after my elderly mum, and protect her from Covid.. I receive a small private  pension, and Mum helped me financially, from August..I moved in with her,for the last few months of her life, sadly, she died in March this year.. I am devastated, but trying to get my life back on track. I think I will be able to work again in the next few months, but I really dont want to work 40 hrs a week..Ive done the entitledto Benefit Checker, and I should receive £35 weekly, newstyle JSA. For 6months (if I dont find a job)..I wont get Universal Credit, after that,  as I have savings over the limit.. .So if I apply for JSA,  do I have to commit to 40 hrs a week employment? 

To be honest, I am still very low, and dont feel able to do fulltime hours..but I dont want to be dishonest in my claim, I’d appreciate your thoughts.. thank you. 

ohdrar

It sounds like a very difficult time and your right to put your health first.
I think its worth claiming as you're entitled to it.
You can always cancel the claim later on if you decide it's not worth the trouble. 
One important thing to remember is that you'll be awarded National Insurance Credits through new style JSA which will help for state pension and other benefit claims in the future.
If you had worked the last 2 tax years then you'll get payment 2 weekly if not then you'll just get NI credits.
I would also add you can backdate the claim due to a serious issue such as a bereavement.

saver79

Thanks so much, thats really helpful..I didnt know about the NIC credits, either..👍🏻 

poppy12345

If a health condition prevents you from working at the moment then you should consider claiming New style ESA rather than NsJSA. You will need a fit note from your GP to be able to claim this and it's paid for 365 days unless you're placed into the Support Group.

Any pension you receive of less than £85 per week is ignore. For every £1 over this amount then your ESA will be reduced by 50p.

To be able to claim this you will have needed to have paid the correct amount of NI contributions in tax years April 2018 to March 2020.

More information in link. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/claiming-new-style-esa/

This can also be backdated for up to 3 months but you'll need a backdated fit note also. It's not as easy to backdate a NsJSA claim.

saver79

Thanks poppy12345, I think I mayqualify for that, in the short term, and it would give me some time to get over my grief and improve my health, then I could find work..

ohdrar

saver79 said:

Thanks so much, thats really helpful..I didnt know about the NIC credits, either..👍🏻 

Your welcome, just to be sure though if you do go down the new style ESA route the reasons why you'll not be able to work need to pass the work capability assessment. 
This means, you'll need to be able to show that your bereavement has caused your such difficulty that you're not able to do things all of the time. Either physically, mentally or eating/drinking.
It might be wise to go down to the citizens advice or another advocacy service for benefits and have an initial talk with them?

calcotti

ohdrar said:

saver79 said:

Thanks so much, thats really helpful..I didnt know about the NIC credits, either..👍🏻 

Your welcome, just to be sure though if you do go down the new style ESA route the reasons why you'll not be able to work need to pass the work capability assessment. 
This means, you'll need to be able to show that your bereavement has caused your such difficulty that you're not able to do things all of the time. Either physically, mentally or eating/drinking.

With all the delays in carrying out assessments at the moment, even if eventually found Fit for Work, OP would likely get several months receiving ESA at the assessment rate before a  decision is reached.

daveyjp

You are entitled to it, so claim it.  There is no requirement to get a job of 40 hours a week, once you get a job you simply stop claiming.

If you don't secure employment payments stop after 6 months.

poppy12345

daveyjp said:

You are entitled to it, so claim it.  There is no requirement to get a job of 40 hours a week, once you get a job you simply stop claiming.

If you don't secure employment payments stop after 6 months.

ESA is still the better option here because with this there's no requirements to look for work. Claiming JSA, part of the requirements is you look for work.

ohdrar

saver79 said:

Thanks so much, thats really helpful..I didnt know about the NIC credits, either..👍🏻 

Yes its worth getting to make sure you get state pension. You've a choice of new style ESA and new style JSA. 
You definitely should claim either one - because you are entitled and if you don't do it now and wait too long then you'll loose the right to claim because last tax years will have gone in to the past.

It depends on your own health - which must come first. If you have a GP who is of the opinion you are not fit for work because of your bereavement then start an ESA claim (ideally backdated by up to 3 months). But if your GP does not think so and won't write a fit note, then claim JSA - you can always claim  ESA later.
If you don't find a job after 6 months of JSA (or not over 16 hrs) you can keep the claim open indefinitely as long as your looking for work and you can keep getting NI credits.