JSA help

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156633#Comment_82156633

You are phrasing this as though the selection of time to assess your NI contributions as eligibility for nJSA was a decision taken relating to you on a personal basis.

It was not.

The requirements for sufficient NI credits over the previous two tax years is a long standing rule. The previous two tax years as we write are 2025 - 26 and 2024 - 25.

Apeandguy

Agreed it shouldn't be free for all but surely if I've paid into the system my whole life and now need some help I should be entitled to some help? Until I get my next job and carry on paying into the system ? I understand there are rules but this one seems rather unfair. Tbh I wish I'd have never gone self employed, it definitely doesn't benefit and you have much more rights as an employee. It's a shame the country doesn't promote/support self employment and entrepreneurs as much as others.

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156638#Comment_82156638

Currently the two tax years considered when applying for JSA are 2023/24 and 2024/25.

As of Jan 2027, that would change to 2024/25 and 2025/26. This gives HMRC time to update NI records for the most recent tax year before benefits start using it for entitlement.

QrizB

Currently the two tax years considered when applying for JSA are 2023/24 and 2024/25.

As of Jan 2027, that would change to 2024/25 and 2025/26. This gives HMRC time to update NI records for the most recent tax year before benefits start using it for entitlement.

In which case, I guess the OP's employed status from May 25 - Aug 26 is of no relevance? And the problem is that during the relevant period the OP was self-employed and wasn't paying Class1 at all?

https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/eligibility

To be eligible for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) you’ll need to have both:

worked as an employee

paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156676#Comment_82156676

Oh I misinterpreted the relevant years.

Spoonie_Turtle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156641#Comment_82156641

It's unfortunate that the benefits towards which your NI contributions did/do count, aren't ones you currently need.

If your income and savings are low enough you may be entitled to Universal Credit. If not then the system deems you to have enough to live on (whether that is true in reality is a separate matter - UC amounts and therefore thresholds are a matter of policy and outwith the remit of this forum).

marcia_

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82156635#Comment_82156635

did you look at universal credit?

huckster

Quite a lot of people try to claim JSA, as older friends and relatives uninformed about the benefits system, tell them to claim Jobseekers. They don't read the JSA website about the NI contributions required to receive the benefit. So time is wasted before they realise that should have claimed UC.

And you get people who receive too much private pension income to receive JSA. Or they work part time hours and earn too much.

DWP we're looking to change JSA to an online claim process similar to the UC process. If they do this, they need to ensure that the online claim application process is able to check NI contributions records and also work out if any benefit entitlement if they have pensions or part time ( below 16 hours per week) earnings. Inform the applicant online before they click to submit, whether there would be any entitlement.