Surviving on JSA Alone?

debtslave2024

@EnPointe. And with this old JSA vs New JSA what is the max you can potentially get per week? I have paid into the system for over 34 years. However, my NI contributions might have fallen short in past 2 years, after my income was slashed.

Spoonie_Turtle

debtslave2024 said:

@EnPointe. And with this old JSA vs New JSA what is the max you can potentially get per week? I have paid into the system for over 34 years. However, my NI contributions might have fallen short in past 2 years, after my income was slashed.

There is only one JSA anyone can start claiming now and the amount was given by NedS in the first reply to your post
"New Style JSA is currently £90.50/week, going up to £92.05/week from April."

Although per your other thread where you say you've paid class 2 and 4 contributions, everything about JSA is moot because class 1 contributions or credits are required to be able to claim any JSA payments.
https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/what-national-insurance-is-for

EnPointe

debtslave2024 said:

@EnPointe. And with this old JSA vs New JSA what is the max you can potentially get per week? I have paid into the system for over 34 years. However, my NI contributions might have fallen short in past 2 years, after my income was slashed.

@Spoonie_Turtle has answered this   ( thank you S_T )

old JSA is long  dead it was  the  last iteration of 'unemployment beenefit' before  UC came about... 

the 'new style' JSA and ESA  acknowledge the financial  inquieiries of  UC are not  necessarily  relevant  for  peopel who need  to acces contribution based benefits - potentially for a short period  in the case of JSA

debtslave2024

NedS said:

New Style JSA is currently £90.50/week, going up to £92.05/week from April. Assuming you have paid sufficient NI contributions in the last 2/3 years, you can claim JSA for up to 6 months providing you are looking for employment (a job seeker). It is not designed to live on, but rather is a short term stop gap to help you out whilst between jobs. Hopefully you can get another job quickly. Have you started looking and applying yet?

Alternatively, you may be able to claim Universal Credit (UC), which is a means tested benefit. To be able to claim, you must have under £16,000 in capital/savings, and if you have more than £6,000 in capital/savings then the amount of UC you are able to claim will be reduced. The amounts you receive are the same as JSA, albeit paid monthly. There is also help with housing costs available through UC, although you have said you own your own house so you may not qualify for any help with housing costs.

@NedS, I have indeed started applying for jobs again, but I am increasingly struggling to find things to apply for, that I believe I can do. There is a noticeable contraction in the economy around me, compared to just last year. I am over 50, and have a funny feeling that the modern UK economy, no longer really wants people of my age, could be wrong. However, I have heard similar stories from others.

I have applied for Universal Credit today, however after reviewing what I could potentially get as a single person, compared to my outgoings - employment is the only realistic option for me (however, that option is in the hands of others.)

NedS

debtslave2024 said:

NedS said:

New Style JSA is currently £90.50/week, going up to £92.05/week from April. Assuming you have paid sufficient NI contributions in the last 2/3 years, you can claim JSA for up to 6 months providing you are looking for employment (a job seeker). It is not designed to live on, but rather is a short term stop gap to help you out whilst between jobs. Hopefully you can get another job quickly. Have you started looking and applying yet?

Alternatively, you may be able to claim Universal Credit (UC), which is a means tested benefit. To be able to claim, you must have under £16,000 in capital/savings, and if you have more than £6,000 in capital/savings then the amount of UC you are able to claim will be reduced. The amounts you receive are the same as JSA, albeit paid monthly. There is also help with housing costs available through UC, although you have said you own your own house so you may not qualify for any help with housing costs.

@NedS, I have indeed started applying for jobs again, but I am increasingly struggling to find things to apply for, that I believe I can do. There is a noticeable contraction in the economy around me, compared to just last year. I am over 50, and have a funny feeling that the modern UK economy, no longer really wants people of my age, could be wrong. However, I have heard similar stories from others.

I have applied for Universal Credit today, however after reviewing what I could potentially get as a single person, compared to my outgoings - employment is the only realistic option for me (however, that option is in the hands of others.)

I understand, and have been there myself many times having been made redundant on more than one occasion and often worked on 1 year contracts that never got renewed. The one thing I can tell you is that another job always comes along. The stressful bit is not knowing when or where it will come from. You just have to trust the process, keep applying for everything knowing that it will happen. Multiple periods of unemployment have taught me this.

I can also assure you that your age is an asset, not a hindrance. Employers want reliability over all else, and experience teaches them that younger applicants tend to be less reliable. Doesn't matter how good you are at a job, if you don't turn up on time the job doesn't get done. Your 50 years of experience are invaluable and gives you a maturity in dealing with things that younger applicants are yet to learn. Also, if you take a job, you are now likely to stay in it until you retire whereas a younger person may move on in 12 months meaning the employer has to go through the recruitment process again (and again). Do not forget this and do not underestimate what you offer an employer.

J_forest

I will be in the same situation like the OP. 

As soon as I was informed that the company would be in administrator I have started to look for new jobs. Applying over 30 so far and just had 3 interviews. The industry that I have been in the last 20 years is phrasing out. Trying to pre-book some free courses for a career change but no luck, I have to be in some kind of benefits...

If I claim JSA, will the NI class 3 be paid for too?

Thanks.

huckster

Yes JSA includes class 1 NI contributions towards future state pension.

From what I have seen job seekers only receive a response to about 10% of the jobs applied for. And the more applications made in a timely tailored way will increase the chance of landing new work more quickly. Aim to find at least 50 jobs to apply for each week. And regularly speak to recruitment agencies.

J_forest

Thank you for the advice. 

I have registered on all top 5 job sites and noticed the same jobs were advised across all platforms, the total availability ended up less a dozen a week.  

huckster

@J_forest

Don't rely on Indeed, Total Jobs, CV Library etc.  People get trapped into click applying on those websites and don't find all of the vacancies available.

Some companies don't advertise on those websites. 

It might be worth you having an appointment with National Careers Service at your local Job Centre.

J_forest

Thank you for the advice, huckster. 

Currently I am gathering the names of businesses near me, hopefully they will be useful when the day comes.

Today I went to see a neighbour who owns a smaller business that established 60 years ago,  he says this year's revenue has been terrible so far 

How NI works if I am self-employed as well as working part time? I have other skills to top up a part time job but it sounds a bit complicated on tax return...