JSA eligibility

nomorekids

Can anyone help with this situation please. Eligibility question

person working several jobs all adding up £14000 in 23-24 no national insurance taken from payslips all jobs on PAYE, similar earnings following tax year 24-25 and a small amount of NI taken from one of the jobs. This tax year 25-26 again similar amount earnt and again no NI paid.

HRMC website says that if you claim job seekers allowance post January 2026 you must have paid NI in

2023-24

2024-25

The HRMC also says that earnings £123 per week lower threshold dont pay NI for the 2023-24 tax year but the worker gets the benefit of paying NI for benefit purposes.

is this correct?

all but one employer has been offering work lately so this person is now only doing one of the jobs, the main income earner PAYE approximately £1000 a month earnings but will be made redundant sometime between end of April and 1st August with earnings dwindling but hopefully still around £1000 in each of the these months. First letter of redundancy issued already but yet to receive the second, hence not knowing the actual leaving date but it will be in the new 26-27 tax year which is relevant information.

will they be able to claim JSA? they are married and partner works so its the non means JSA only they will be claiming?

really confused from googling over last few days so very grateful for any help and yes they will be seeking full time work, the query is about eligibility given no NI taken on any PAYE payslips in 23-24 or indeed 25-26 just a small amount one month in 24-25

very grateful if anyone knows the answer

Yamor

Yes, earnings from any one job over the LEL (which was £123/week in 23/24 and 24/25) would be sufficient. But you can't combine earnings from multiple jobs.

The easiest way to check is by going here:

https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

poppy12345

Their earnings will be over the amount they are allowed to earn for claiming JSA. There's a £5/week disregard and anything over that the JSA is reduced £1 for £1. From April JSA increases to £95.55/week. With their earnings being more than £90/week there's no entitlement.

They can look at claiming Universal Credit but if they live with a partner they will need to claim as a couple because it's a means tested benefit. If they have capital of more than £16,000 they'll be excluded from claiming.

Yamor

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81929144#Comment_81929144

Isn't OP saying that they will no longer have any earnings at some point between the end of April and 1st Aug?

Spoonie_Turtle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81929275#Comment_81929275

I had to go back and check

will be made redundant sometime between end of April and 1st August with earnings dwindling but hopefully still around £1000 in each of the these months.

(Well spotted, poppy12345!)

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81929955#Comment_81929955

I read it as there is hopefully earnings of £1000 but will be made redundant at some point and earning would cease, For me, that's means the hope is it's the 1st of August but could be as early as the end of April, if so there would be no £1000
There is current earning of £1000, so I see little point is asking about asking about future earning of £1000 as if so they might as well ask about claiming now.

sheramber

I read it as asking if he would be able to claim has once he is made redundant, due to the concern over NI deductions.

nomorekids

yes thank you everyone, the concern is the lack of NI contributions thanks to doing several zero hours jobs, thanks again

Spoonie_Turtle

My brain's not working right now but there is the possibility of claiming NI credits even if not eligible for payments, if they meet the other conditions. I don't know if said conditions include earning below a threshold, or just working under 16hrs a week and actively searching for work.

huckster

Having looked at the credits only not claiming Job Seekers Allowance form, this form is formatted on the basis of not currently working. Have never come across anyone working limited hours that has a NI Credits only not claiming JSA arrangement.

It may be that the OP falls within a gap and there is no provision for them to receive NI credits via Job Centre/benefits process.

Therefore they should seek new employment where they earn enough to pay NI.