Can I claim JSA after 4 years not working 27 November 2022 at 4:05PM in Benefits & tax credits 7 replies 492 views

barnsleynanna

I finished work 4 years ago when my husband reached retirement age. We are now finding it hard to pay the bills. He gets state pension and a small private pension. I get £4500 per year private pension. Could I claim JSA whilst looking for work? 

McKneff

I wouldn't think so. I believe you have to have paid 2 full years NI to claim any sort of benefit and your income would also be taken into account. 
How long is it till you reach pension age and have you had a pension forecast. 

The amount of state pension also depends on how many years NI you have paid in. 

Brie

presumably you're under SP age so potentially but if you google JSA it states that you need to have been working and paying NI presumably in the last 2 - 3 years. So that in itself might count you out.  Also I suspect that your pension would severely limit what you might get from them.  I know me collecting a private pension reduced what I received.

McKneff

Do I take it your income now is about £15k.

Complete a statement of affairs on here and we will try to help with a budget. 

calcotti

As McKneff says you are not eligible for JSA as you have not worked for 4 years - JSA is only paid for 6 months anyway.

I infer that you are still working age. You could look at possible entitlement to Universal Credit but unless you have rent to pay and/or either of you have health conditions that restrict your ability to work there will not be any entitlement given your joint pension income - all of which will be taken into account in full.

You can use an online benefit calculator to assess entitlement.

huckster

Use an online benefits calculator as suggested.  e.g., Entitledto or Turn2us.

If you do not qualify for any DWP benefits, you could contact your local Council Authority and provide them with details of your financial circumstances. There may be some help available through Council welfare grants and or other schemes they have available.

sevenhills

barnsleynanna said:

I finished work 4 years ago when my husband reached retirement age. We are now finding it hard to pay the bills. He gets state pension and a small private pension. I get £4500 per year private pension. Could I claim JSA whilst looking for work? 

Have you checked to see if you have enough NI years for the full state pension?

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

xxxxxxxx

Does he get PIP, DLA or Attendance Allowance or Adult Disability Payment(in Scotland)... 
Or could he qualify for Attendance Allowance?

How much is his GROSS private pension  and your GROSS private pension?