JSA and gap between employment

winter02

Hi everyone - Due to redundancy, my current job ends on the 30th June but thankfully I have found a new role that starts on the 26th July. As there is a gap between my old and new job, should I claim JSA as I'm not sure how this works with regards to NI contributions? Thanks

calcotti

You can claim JSA if you wish and have a complete NI record for the tax years 2018-19 and 2019-20. 

Depending on your circumstances you may be able to claim Universal Credit. Try a benefits calculator Benefits calculators - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If you claimed on 1st July you could be eligible for a payment on 8th July prior to receiving any wages from your new job. Any claim for UC would end any other means tested benefits you receive including tax Credits and you cannot claim if you have capital over £16,000.

If you have a partner UC has to be claimed by you both and entitlement is based on joint circumstances. JSA is an individual benefit. 

sammyjammy

If you do claim you will be expected to actively seek and be available for work.

winter02

calcotti said:

You can claim JSA if you wish and have a complete NI record for the tax years 2018-19 and 2019-20. 

Depending on your circumstances you may be able to claim Universal Credit. Try a benefits calculator Benefits calculators - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If you claimed on 1st July you could be eligible for a payment on 8th July prior to receiving any wages from your new job. Any claim for UC would end any other means tested benefits you receive including tax Credits and you cannot claim if you have capital over £16,000.

If you have a partner UC has to be claimed by you both and entitlement is based on joint circumstances. JSA is an individual benefit. 

Thanks. I'm not eligible for UC but could claim contribution-based JSA. 

calcotti

winter02 said: Thanks. I'm not eligible for UC but could claim contribution-based JSA. 

Now called new style JSA New Style Jobseeker's Allowance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Grumpy_chap

Assuming you are eligible for it, why wouldn't you claim the JSA?

calcotti

Grumpy_chap said:

Assuming you are eligible for it, why wouldn't you claim the JSA?

For roughly £225 (if they are age 25 or over) OP might not think it worth the effort.

winter02

calcotti said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Assuming you are eligible for it, why wouldn't you claim the JSA?

For roughly £225 (if they are age 25 or over) OP might not think it worth the effort.

It was more whether I needed to do it from an NI contribution point of view really? 

calcotti

winter02 said:

calcotti said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Assuming you are eligible for it, why wouldn't you claim the JSA?

For roughly £225 (if they are age 25 or over) OP might not think it worth the effort.

It was more whether I needed to do it from an NI contribution point of view really? 

It depends how much you are earning when working. You don’t have to work through the whole year to get a full year of contributions. If you are concerned then it will be safer to claim.

(I misunderstood your reference to NI in your opening post - I thought you were asking about the NI requirements in order to be eligible to claim.)