Too late to claim JSA...?

Martha81

Hi there, would appreciate some benefits advice from those in the know, please. I recently moved down south with my partner and had to leave my job in the north which was a sad thing for me. However, I thought I would be able to start again and find a new job but to my despair it's not been the case. I'm up against ageism at every turn. I don't receive my State Pension until next year so I am not eligible for Universal Credit. However, someone told me I should have been signing on and claiming JSA. I don't know why but I thought my age precluded me from any 'Job Centre' help. When I was told I couldn't get UC I thought that was it. Does anyone know what I could/should be doing? My partner is older than me and only has his State Pension plus a small private pension of £4k p.a. We don't receive Pension Credit and life is a bit of a struggle. We get CTR in full, and some help with our water bill, which is an absolute godsend. Do we have to be receiving certain benefits to be eligible to visit a foodbank (such is our struggle atm). Any help would be appreciated

elsien

You should be able to claim job seekers if you’ve paid enough contributions in. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-jobseekers-allowance
it’s not the most pleasant of experiences, or it wasn’t for me, but needs must. You’ll be expected to look for work, but you’re doing that anyway.

Food banks have different eligibility and ways of accessing them, but they certainly some by me where you just turn up and don’t need any proof of anything. You could also look into community pantries (Discounted food as opposed to free) - Social media is good for that sort of thing if you’re on Facebook.

If food is an issue, you might also want to look at the Olio app which is basically where supermarkets give away food just reached it’s used by date via volunteers. It’s a bit patchy depending on where you live but certainly worth a look. 

Martha81

Thank you very much, that's most kind of you to respond. I will look into those suggestions, and will also visit my local Job Centre. I think my NI record is pretty much up to speed, so hopefully my contributions may be sufficient. Do you have to show the jobs for which you have been applying? I'm registered on all the jobsites so they would be able to see the long list of applications I have made! Thanks again.

huckster

Yes claim New Style Job Seekers Allowance in your name based on your NI contributions record. It is only £92.05 per week and is only for up to 6 months or up to state pension age if this occurs earlier.

Use the link in the previous post. Either claim online or if you find this difficult you can make the claim by phone call. Once you have submitted claim and this is accepted, you will be booked to attend a local Job Centre, when you need to accept claimant commitment to enable claim to proceed. It will take approximately 3 weeks after submitting claim before you receive first benefit payment.

itsthelittlethings

I’m surprised you were told you can’t claim UC unless your partner has too much coming in. You might even be eligible for UC on top of JSA depending on housing costs.

itsthelittlethings

By the way many areas have community food fridges where you don’t need to be in receipt of any benefits to get food. Look up and see if there are any in your area.

itsthelittlethings

As far as I know you don’t need to be on certain benefits to access the food bank but you do need a referral. You may be able to get a referral from Citizens Advice. Usually the food bank is a short term thing so not something you can rely on long term. CAB may be able to help you work out what benefits you are entitled to as well as give you a food bank referral.

RunsFromRobots

It's worth noting that you say you're eligible for your State Pension next year then you need to apply for it around three months beforehand. 

Also, check the date you're eligible from as we're at that point where it's moving past your 66th birthday 

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

elsien

Log the job hunting that you’re doing - I just kept a record on the scrap of paper. But exaggerate how long each one takes. And online reading and stuff counts as job hunting as well. 

You’re expected to spend the equivalent to a full-time post searching for work. Which to be honest, isn’t possible because there’s not that many jobs out there you’d be eligible for after a certain amount of time. 

And when you do your work commitment unless you come up with a good reason why you can’t do evenings and weekends for example (caring for your partner?) You’ll be expected to apply for absolutely everything regardless of hours and distance. Not saying that’s a bad thing, I really wanted to wear but I think sometimes when you sign up to the Work commitment you don’t actually realise all of the implications.

singhini

@Martha81

You should be able to go online and make an application for JSA. After about a week the job centre will be in touch to set up your first appointment which will consist of you sitting with a job coach and filling in a "work commitment" document (I previously posted as copy of the work commitment form for someone else if you want to take a look here). Hope it helps.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6598242/new-style-jsa-contribution-based-timescales-and-notice-for-appointment-interview/p1

EDIT: You might be able to go onto a college course for free while your claiming JSA (the scheme is called "Free courses for jobs")  ------> there is info on the same link i just provided (most courses for this year will be starting from around 1st September so you might even be able to start ASAP if you find something).