New Style JSA Expires soon. What happens?

qqquenchhh

Hi all,
I started claiming New Style JSA nearly 6 months ago. Unfortunately, I haven't found a job yet, and my last date for a payment will be mid-July. I only applied for New Style JSA, not UC or anything else. I just wondered if anyone knows what happens once it's expired. Obviously I will stop receiving payments, but do they automatically put me on something else? Or do I actually have to actively open a new claim for something like UC when my nJSA has expired?
Thanks

poppy12345

qqquenchhh said:

Hi all,
I started claiming New Style JSA nearly 6 months ago. Unfortunately, I haven't found a job yet, and my last date for a payment will be mid-July. I only applied for New Style JSA, not UC or anything else. I just wondered if anyone knows what happens once it's expired. Obviously I will stop receiving payments, but do they automatically put me on something else? Or do I actually have to actively open a new claim for something like UC when my nJSA has expired?
Thanks

They won't automatically put you onto UC. This is a means tested benefit and whether you qualify will totally depend on your circumstances. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple. A claim for UC will end any tax credits you may already be claiming. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. If you qualify, you don't need to wait until your JSA ends, you can claim them both together but the JSA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=ae3e6668-d217-42cc-88a7-9ef6603d4d4c

calcotti

It stops. You are not automatically put on anything else. Indeed you may not have any entitlement to anything else, it will depend on your circumstances. If you are eligible for, and wish to receive, UC then you need to apply for it.

qqquenchhh

Thanks Poppy, Calcotti. I don't have savings of more than £16,000 but I do have enough to live off of for a few months whilst I continue to look for a job. So I am happy not to claim UC, at least for now. I just wanted to make sure I didn't need to tell them I don't want it.

poppy12345

If you're entitled to UC then i don't understand why you choose not to claim it. If you have savings of more than £6,000 then there's a deduction of £4.35 per month for every £250 (or part there of)  over that amount.

qqquenchhh

poppy12345 said:

If you're entitled to UC then i don't understand why you choose not to claim it. If you have savings of more than £6,000 then there's a deduction of £4.35 per month for every £250 (or part there of)  over that amount.

It's just personal preference. I've claimed enough over the past 6 months. Also, it's an extra incentive to find work. 

calcotti

qqquenchhh said:

poppy12345 said:

If you're entitled to UC then i don't understand why you choose not to claim it. If you have savings of more than £6,000 then there's a deduction of £4.35 per month for every £250 (or part there of)  over that amount.

It's just personal preference. I've claimed enough over the past 6 months. Also, it's an extra incentive to find work. 

Just bear in mind that if your work search takes longer than you hope you will be running down your savings which will give you less flexibility if you do have to claim UC later.

sammyjammy

calcotti said:

qqquenchhh said:

poppy12345 said:

If you're entitled to UC then i don't understand why you choose not to claim it. If you have savings of more than £6,000 then there's a deduction of £4.35 per month for every £250 (or part there of)  over that amount.

It's just personal preference. I've claimed enough over the past 6 months. Also, it's an extra incentive to find work. 

Just bear in mind that if your work search takes longer than you hope you will be running down your savings which will give you less flexibility if you do have to claim UC later.

I agree you really should rethink that decision, in fact I would say put a claim in for UC now before it runs out, temporarily you'll get an additional £20 per week as well, someone with a better memory than me will tell you when thats currently due to end, September  I think.

Spoonie_Turtle

UC should give you the same incentive to find a job as JSA; if you are capable of work they expect you to be searching in order to receive the money.  It's not a handout for sitting around on your bum all day, regardless of what certain sections of society would want you to believe

poppy12345

sammyjammy said:

calcotti said:

qqquenchhh said:

poppy12345 said:

If you're entitled to UC then i don't understand why you choose not to claim it. If you have savings of more than £6,000 then there's a deduction of £4.35 per month for every £250 (or part there of)  over that amount.

It's just personal preference. I've claimed enough over the past 6 months. Also, it's an extra incentive to find work. 

Just bear in mind that if your work search takes longer than you hope you will be running down your savings which will give you less flexibility if you do have to claim UC later.

I agree you really should rethink that decision, in fact I would say put a claim in for UC now before it runs out, temporarily you'll get an additional £20 per week as well, someone with a better memory than me will tell you when thats currently due to end, September  I think.

It's due to end in October. Of course whether the OP qualifies for any UC will depend on their circumstances.

qqquenchhh

Got an interview on Thursday so I might not need to worry about it. How long does it take to end a claim? Do you end up having to pay some back?