Jobseekers Allowance - 2 Types & can you get both?

stevo_999 · 17 February 2011 at 5:00PM

Hi All

Can anyone give me a definitive answer as to whether or not you can get both contribution based and income based JSA at the same time.

I keep getting told different things. Someone on the JSA helpline initially told me I should be getting both, but then the next person I spoke to said it is not possible to get both. Then on my last visit to the jobcentre to sign in, the clerk I was dealing with said she thought I should be entitled to both. I then rung them again and they said not.

Confused!!

A quick synopsis of my situation:

Been claiming cont based JSA since October after leaving previous job in March 2010 (redundancy) then being self-employed for a while.
I then requested assistance with mortgage payments, which they are now providing to the tune of £83.47 per week, but when that started, my £65.45 a week cont based JSA stopped.

My wife is currently on maternity leave and just gets the basic maternity allowance of £124.88 per week.

We've got a 4 month old baby, so we get some child benefit and child tax credits.

They keep talking about working tax credits being on the claim somewhere, but neither of us have ever received any working tax credits.

Help!

Thanks
Steve

Pigletto · 17 February 2011 at 5:23PM

CAB state this:
"Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

You may get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance if you do not have enough national insurance contributions to get contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance. You can also get it on top of contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance because you have a partner, or because of other personal circumstances -for example, if you are disabled or caring for a disabled person or have housing costs. Whether you can get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance depends on the amount of your income and capital."

stevo_999 · 17 February 2011 at 5:43PM

Hi, yes I did read that on one of the many sites that discuss it, but I'm still non the wiser!

I've paid national insurance for 20'ish years, we have zero capital and our only income is from the child benefits & maternity allowance.

fresian_cow · 17 February 2011 at 6:16PM

Is it possible that when you applied for help with your mortgage that they changed you to job seekers allowance income based and that your wifes income has stopped you receiving anything. found this on direct.gov website regarding mortgage interest help

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_180321

Can't answer your actual question sorry though cos i don't know.

nannytone_2 · 17 February 2011 at 6:21PM

you only get income based JSA if you havent paid enough NI for contributions based JSA, and you household income is low enough.
you cant get both at the same time.

Jobseekers Allowance - 2 Types & can you get both?

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