JSA help

Apeandguy

Hi all, I recently had to resign from my job as my employer had stopped paying me (currently owes me £6k) which I'm using ACAS for to get back (eventually!!). I put in a JSA claim but they rejected it as I was self employed during the period they checked my NI And I hadn't enough cat1 at that time???? Even though I've paid over 40 years of NI and even (foolishly) paid voluntary NI when I was self employed. I'm currently looking for a new job but any help financially would be nice from a system I've paid into all my life😵‍💫. Any help pls??

marcia_

if you have not paid enough of the right contributions you won't get jsa but have you looked at universal credit?

Grumpy_chap

The OP might face a battle against being "voluntarily unemployed" if the OP states that they "resigned". Others might be better able to advise how the OP can explain this situation in a way that a Job Coach will accept as not "voluntarily unemployed"

huckster

For New Style JSA they currently look at the last 2 tax years 23/24 and 24/25. If you were self employed only, you cannot claim this benefit. Has to be class 1 NI contributions paid as employee.

Use an online benefits calculator such as Entitledto website to check if you can claim Universal Credit.

Apeandguy

Thanks all for the help and replies. Much appreciated. Yes exactly as I thought though. What an insane system, all the years I have paid into it and then cannot get help when needed. Even though I resigned, it was basically through breach of contract (and under the advice of ACAS )as I wasn't being paid so it's ok to claim JSA BUT my class 1 was not being paid during the period they choose to use to see if you're eligible??? I am genuinely seeking short term help while I get another job. Surely this is what JSA was designed for?? Unfortunately it seems like another nail in the coffin for working people.

p00hsticks

you talk about an employer but also about being self employed.

So was your last work period as a PAYE employee or taken on as a self employed person under contract?

If you were employed and your employer has not been paying the NI they shoudl have been then I'd suggest your report this to HMRC. What do your payslips say ?

sammyjammy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156134#Comment_82156134

Its not another nail in the coffin for working people, it works like it has worked for decades with contributory JSA, if you don't like it then speak to your MP about getting a change to the law, there has to be rules that have to be met, it can't be a free for all

QrizB

Its not another nail in the coffin for working people, it works like it has worked for decades with contributory JSA

Can confirm that when I was unemployed in 1991, I wasn't eligible for Unemployment Benefit as I hadn't paid enough NI and so I was given Income Support instead. Since then UB has become JSA and IS has turned into UC.

peteuk

Another reason to full examine the pro’s and con’s of being self employed. Ideally before you become self employed. Equally has the Op looked at there state pension?

Apeandguy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156178#Comment_82156178

Sorry. I was self employed for 10 years but may 25-aug26 I was employed. HMRC decided to look at the period when I was self employed to calculate my JSA. Obviously no class 1 was paid then as I had no employer. So that's why I'm not eligible? Regardless of all the previous years I was employed and paid class 1

Apeandguy

State pension is completely full. As I always paid class 2 and also voluntary while I was self employed (wish I hadn't now tbh). Just blows my mind I can't get help when I genuinely need it atm while I find my next job.