JSA & part time working

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I'm currently employed full time and have been for many years. I am however being made redundant.
2 days after my end date with my employer I'm going to be starting a new role elsewhere but it is only part time. I wonder if I would still be eligible for JSA or whether I need to worry about applying for that at all.
The new job is 10 hours a week, just above NMW. This is a significant drop from what I do currently but I have no interest in continuing in full time employment or chasing after money.
The only reason I'm considering applying for JSA is that someone suggested that working at such a minimal level I will get no NI contributions made on my behalf. I believe if this is the case for the balance of the year I will be a bit short on my contributions to get a full state pension.
Can someone confirm please:
2 days after my end date with my employer I'm going to be starting a new role elsewhere but it is only part time. I wonder if I would still be eligible for JSA or whether I need to worry about applying for that at all.
The new job is 10 hours a week, just above NMW. This is a significant drop from what I do currently but I have no interest in continuing in full time employment or chasing after money.
The only reason I'm considering applying for JSA is that someone suggested that working at such a minimal level I will get no NI contributions made on my behalf. I believe if this is the case for the balance of the year I will be a bit short on my contributions to get a full state pension.
Can someone confirm please:
- if working 10 hours at about NMW means I won't be contributing NI?
- if working like this whether I would still be eligible for JSA - even just on the basis of getting NI contributions made?
- whether in applying for JSA there will be the expectation that I apply for any full time role going even though I don't want to continue working full time?
"Never retract, never explain, never apologise; get things done and let them howl.”
2023 £1 a day £54.26/365
2023 £1 a day £54.26/365
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Replies
JSA is only payable for six months and in any case you will not be eligible if you doing the work you suggest.
Rather than JSA you could look at UC. Whether or not there will be any entitlement to UC will depend on your circumstances. Try a benefits calculator https://www.entitledto.co.uk or https://www.turn2us.org.uk.
You will be expected to look for additional work.
If you are excluded from UC by capital then you can apply for JSA and proved you meet the job search requirements you will get NI credits even though you will be paid nothing.
Problem now is that I was supposed to have a follow up call this afternoon as they agreed meeting in person wasn't required. I had expected to be home by the call time but was delayed at work and so sat in my car waiting for my phone to ring. Several minutes after the call time I sent them an email to ask if they wanted to reschedule. I was most the way home when my phone rang and of course I couldn't answer it as I was driving. I rang the number when I got home but it's only a message saying if they need anything they will contact me. I emailed again to advise I'd tried to ring them and again did they want to reschedule.
So what happens next? I've no idea what today's meeting was supposed to achieve really. And what happens when they say they will ring and don't bother to call until I'm not available. I've heard so many horror stories of DWP etc being dreadfully bureaucratic and just don't want or need extra hassle right now.
2023 £1 a day £54.26/365
2023 £1 a day £54.26/365
But meanwhile I don't want them to simply dismiss me because they missed my appointment rather than me missing it.
2023 £1 a day £54.26/365
Are you sure you will be short?
For state pension purposes a full qualifying year has no requirement on the number of weeks/months that you work, only that you have earned at least the NI LEL, which for 2022/23 this is £6,396.
You say you previously worked full time, I'm assuming that means full time for four months this financial year (April to July as you claimed JSA for August). If you've earned more than the LEL from these four months of employment (about £1600 p/m) then this financial year already qualifies as a full year for state pension purposes.