Do I have to claim JSA if I lose my job or can I wait?

Simplicity77

I accepted a lump sum and I will pay HRT and if I claim JSA straight after I this I will be taxed the Higher rate on my JSA. I am thinking of delaying claiming  JSA until Apr next year but not sure if I am allowed to wait that long. Does anyone know? My situation means I can take a break or look for a job before I decide to claim but not sure what happens if I delay claiming JSA (New style).

p00hsticks

It  will at least in part depend on what your NI record looks like as to whether you qualify now and in next year.

if you claim now DWP will look at your contributions in tax years 2019-20 and 2020-21, if you delay your claim until the new (calandar) year (i think the 'benefit' year starts on the first Monday of the New year)  then they will be looking at 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Simplicity77

yes fully paid NI contributions and after I took my term payment I paid £5k NI on that. JSA will take a higher rate tax of me, hence the reason I want to start claiming April 2023.  Fresh slate and back to 20% (19%) if the tax cut sticks.

calcotti

Provided you have full No for 2020-21 and 2021-22 you will be fine applying for new style JSA in April 2023.

TELLIT01

You can wait as long as you like but can't backdate a JSA claim.  From what the OP says it doesn't seem they are looking to backdate.

McKneff

It can impact on your state oesion too jf you are short of credits

calcotti

McKneff said:

It can impact on your state oesion too jf you are short of credits

It's a good point but given that OP says that if they claim JSA now they will pay higher rate income tax on the JSA it is likely that OP has already paid sufficient NI contributions for the year to get a full year of NI.