JSA Application Form

hansi

I am just about to apply for JSA and the notes say I have to tell them all my savings, and yet on the front of the form it states that any savings will have no effect on contribution based JSA. Why then do I have to give them this personal information?

Fran

Unfortunately that is one of the conditions that you have to comply with if they are asking (or risk your claim taking even longer than it might by having letters sent asking you how much). If you are still on JSA after 6 months you would go on to Income Based JSA so it's probably to gauge your current situation and how it might relate to what you say in 6 months' time. If you have substantial savings (over £8,000 which is the point at which you wouldn't receive any Income Based JSA) they would be looking to see that you hadn't deliberately disposed of them in order to claim the income based benefits.

I agree it does feel personal when they ask for bank statements. I've read somewhere on here that you only have to show them a statement of the actual amount rather than your personal breakdown, but I think I also read that individual offices might say that it's their policy to require this information. The problem is that while you could object to it, your claim will just take longer to process.

jenpoptab

You only have to declare savings if you go for income based. If you only want to apply for cont based there is no requirement to tell them as its not a means tested benefit (income based is!). Just fill out the cont based bit & tick Jsa cont based box at beginning of form.

hansi

I have done that but when I phoned to get an appointment I was categorically told that I MUST take details of all my savings although I was only applying for contribution based JSA and the form itself states " You may get contribution-based JSA if you have paid enough NI contributions (which I have) and the leaflet enclosed "How much you could get" states this anount is NOT affected by savings" However, on the "list" of doucuments to takw with me was, recent full statements of ALL accounts and proof of ALL savings (even if under £2500). So I guess I have to take them. It's a bit ambiguous to say the least.

jenpoptab

I have taken claims for JSA for the last 7 years, i've never taken proof of savings for anyone on JSA C only. I'm currently on maternity leave though so maybe it's changed in last 3 months. Take it to be on safe side but shouldn't hold any relevance to claim.

Spendless

Fran wrote:

Unfortunately that is one of the conditions that you have to comply with if they are asking (or risk your claim taking even longer than it might by having letters sent asking you how much). If you are still on JSA after 6 months you would go on to Income Based JSA so it's probably to gauge your current situation and how it might relate to what you say in 6 months' time. If you have substantial savings (over £8,000 which is the point at which you wouldn't receive any Income Based JSA) they would be looking to see that you hadn't deliberately disposed of them in order to claim the income based benefits.

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Agree with what Fran has said. I was also asked to show bank statements when I first claimed JSA-contribution based.

Hansi- After your 6 months is up will you be entitled to JSA-income based? If so I can understand why you're being asked. If you won't be I don't see that it's relevant.

hansi

No, I won't be asking for income based JSA after the initial 6 month period.

BenefitMaster

hansi wrote:

I have done that but when I phoned to get an appointment I was categorically told that I MUST take details of all my savings although I was only applying for contribution based JSA and the form itself states " You may get contribution-based JSA if you have paid enough NI contributions (which I have) and the leaflet enclosed "How much you could get" states this anount is NOT affected by savings" However, on the "list" of doucuments to takw with me was, recent full statements of ALL accounts and proof of ALL savings (even if under £2500). So I guess I have to take them. It's a bit ambiguous to say the least.

It's because most people apply for JSA(IB) as well, on the basis if you can't get one, you may get the other.

hansi

Well, what a surprise. Had ny JSA interview yesterday, and they didn't even mention savings. So why do they wind you up by saying that they want to see savings details? Grrrr!