I see so many articles that say tou are automatically entitled to JSA for 6 mths REGARDLESS. I hear of people who get it who have £16k + savings, butthe Gov't site says clearly
How does it work?Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
You may get contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance if you have paid or been credited with class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions in the relevant tax years. Self employed contributions will not generally qualify you for contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance.
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
This is based on your income and savings. You may get this if you have not paid enough National Insurance contributions (NICs) (or you've only paid contributions for self-employment) and you're on a low income.
Surely if you have savings/haven'tpaid NI then you do NOT get it at all/for 6 mths ??
@champ69, MikeGG1 gave you the answer. The direct.gov website is badly set out and implies that contribution based JSA is reduced for savings. It isn't.
When you apply, just tell them you don't want to claim for income based JSA - it will stop you wasting your time answering questions only to be told at the end you won't get it!
The CAB guide is much clearer-
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_people_looking_for_work.htm
So to repeat, Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance is not affected by any savings you have. The only things that would reduce it are part-time earnings or pension income.
I have recently been made redundant. I went for an interview at my local job centre where I was told I did not qualify for any Job Seeker's Allowance as I am receiving a pension from a previous employer.
[i]"I have been saving hard to provide for my old age"[/i]
Pension savings don't count towards the £16k limit.
I would advise anyone facing redundancy to use their savings to pay down their mortgage, the best way being with an offset.
That way all you lose are the accumulated ISA allowances you have taken advantage of in the past, not the savings themselves.
[i] [/i]
bosun - yep, that's why I am still confused too.
If you have been employed and paid all/most NI conts, (Contribution based) then mike says you WILL get JSA regardless of savings (ie not means tested). BUT Govt site says re £6k/£16k, ie still means tested as maybe it 'ought' to be (but then why 'bother' saving if you can't get any benefits.
I too an still confused.
How do they KNOW what savings you have ?? OK they can ask for some bank statements, but my current account to which salary is paid into, will only show a few pence surplus at the end of the month. If I did not disclose the other few accounts/iSA/bonds, etc (as it seems other peeps don't !!) How would they know ? You do hear of the DHSS and IR computers being 'tied up' together, but I have never seen any evidence of it
I am really confused, per MikeGG1's statement that 'Contribution-based JSA is paid regardless of the income of yourself or your partner.' as the Govt. website says concerning contribution-based JSA that:
'You'll get less if you have savings over £6,000. If you have savings over £16,000 you probably won't qualify.'
Like many others of my age, I have been saving hard to provide for my old age, yet it seems that if I were in the unfortunate situation of having lost my job, that I would not get the small weekly sum that I should be entitled to having contributed to the system for over 30 years because I have more than £16k in savings.
Am I correct, or have I got it totally wrong?
It is important to note that JSA is means tested which usually means if a partner is working full-time (over 24 hours a week) you wouldn't be eligible.
If a partner is working 16 - 24 hours a week, then the JSA payable will be reduced.
If you have a pension then £ for £ over a certain amount will be deducted from JSA.
There are stringent conditions on keeping up job applications and attending job interviews. You must also attend all required Job Centre interviews, even if the Job Centre is many miles away.
see
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_015272.xml.html
Contribution-based JSA is paid if you have paid enough contributions, regardless of income.
Income-based JSA is paid if you haven't paid enough contributions and your income is low. The amount paid is based on other income.
@champ69, MikeGG1 gave you the answer. The direct.gov website is badly set out and implies that contribution based JSA is reduced for savings. It isn't.
When you apply, just tell them you don't want to claim for income based JSA - it will stop you wasting your time answering questions only to be told at the end you won't get it!
The CAB guide is much clearer-
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_people_looking_for_work.htm
So to repeat, Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance is not affected by any savings you have. The only things that would reduce it are part-time earnings or pension income.
I have recently been made redundant. I went for an interview at my local job centre where I was told I did not qualify for any Job Seeker's Allowance as I am receiving a pension from a previous employer.
[i]"I have been saving hard to provide for my old age"[/i]
Pension savings don't count towards the £16k limit.
I would advise anyone facing redundancy to use their savings to pay down their mortgage, the best way being with an offset.
That way all you lose are the accumulated ISA allowances you have taken advantage of in the past, not the savings themselves.
[i] [/i]
bosun - yep, that's why I am still confused too.
If you have been employed and paid all/most NI conts, (Contribution based) then mike says you WILL get JSA regardless of savings (ie not means tested). BUT Govt site says re £6k/£16k, ie still means tested as maybe it 'ought' to be (but then why 'bother' saving if you can't get any benefits.
I too an still confused.
How do they KNOW what savings you have ?? OK they can ask for some bank statements, but my current account to which salary is paid into, will only show a few pence surplus at the end of the month. If I did not disclose the other few accounts/iSA/bonds, etc (as it seems other peeps don't !!) How would they know ? You do hear of the DHSS and IR computers being 'tied up' together, but I have never seen any evidence of it
I am really confused, per MikeGG1's statement that 'Contribution-based JSA is paid regardless of the income of yourself or your partner.' as the Govt. website says concerning contribution-based JSA that:
'You'll get less if you have savings over £6,000. If you have savings over £16,000 you probably won't qualify.'
Like many others of my age, I have been saving hard to provide for my old age, yet it seems that if I were in the unfortunate situation of having lost my job, that I would not get the small weekly sum that I should be entitled to having contributed to the system for over 30 years because I have more than £16k in savings.
Am I correct, or have I got it totally wrong?
It is important to note that JSA is means tested which usually means if a partner is working full-time (over 24 hours a week) you wouldn't be eligible.
If a partner is working 16 - 24 hours a week, then the JSA payable will be reduced.
If you have a pension then £ for £ over a certain amount will be deducted from JSA.
There are stringent conditions on keeping up job applications and attending job interviews. You must also attend all required Job Centre interviews, even if the Job Centre is many miles away.
see
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_015272.xml.html
Contribution-based JSA is paid if you have paid enough contributions, regardless of income.
Income-based JSA is paid if you haven't paid enough contributions and your income is low. The amount paid is based on other income.
Contribution-based JSA is paid if you have paid enough contributions, regardless of income.
Income-based JSA is paid if you haven't paid enough contributions and your income is low. The amount paid is based on other income.
It is important to note that JSA is means tested which usually means if a partner is working full-time (over 24 hours a week) you wouldn't be eligible.
If a partner is working 16 - 24 hours a week, then the JSA payable will be reduced.
If you have a pension then £ for £ over a certain amount will be deducted from JSA.
There are stringent conditions on keeping up job applications and attending job interviews. You must also attend all required Job Centre interviews, even if the Job Centre is many miles away.
see
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_015272.xml.html
I am really confused, per MikeGG1's statement that 'Contribution-based JSA is paid regardless of the income of yourself or your partner.' as the Govt. website says concerning contribution-based JSA that:
'You'll get less if you have savings over £6,000. If you have savings over £16,000 you probably won't qualify.'
Like many others of my age, I have been saving hard to provide for my old age, yet it seems that if I were in the unfortunate situation of having lost my job, that I would not get the small weekly sum that I should be entitled to having contributed to the system for over 30 years because I have more than £16k in savings.
Am I correct, or have I got it totally wrong?
bosun - yep, that's why I am still confused too.
If you have been employed and paid all/most NI conts, (Contribution based) then mike says you WILL get JSA regardless of savings (ie not means tested). BUT Govt site says re £6k/£16k, ie still means tested as maybe it 'ought' to be (but then why 'bother' saving if you can't get any benefits.
I too an still confused.
How do they KNOW what savings you have ?? OK they can ask for some bank statements, but my current account to which salary is paid into, will only show a few pence surplus at the end of the month. If I did not disclose the other few accounts/iSA/bonds, etc (as it seems other peeps don't !!) How would they know ? You do hear of the DHSS and IR computers being 'tied up' together, but I have never seen any evidence of it
[i]"I have been saving hard to provide for my old age"[/i]
Pension savings don't count towards the £16k limit.
I would advise anyone facing redundancy to use their savings to pay down their mortgage, the best way being with an offset.
That way all you lose are the accumulated ISA allowances you have taken advantage of in the past, not the savings themselves.
[i] [/i]
I have recently been made redundant. I went for an interview at my local job centre where I was told I did not qualify for any Job Seeker's Allowance as I am receiving a pension from a previous employer.
@champ69, MikeGG1 gave you the answer. The direct.gov website is badly set out and implies that contribution based JSA is reduced for savings. It isn't.
When you apply, just tell them you don't want to claim for income based JSA - it will stop you wasting your time answering questions only to be told at the end you won't get it!
The CAB guide is much clearer-
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_people_looking_for_work.htm
So to repeat, Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance is not affected by any savings you have. The only things that would reduce it are part-time earnings or pension income.
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Job Seekers Allowance
I see so many articles that say tou are automatically entitled to JSA for 6 mths REGARDLESS. I hear of people who get it who have £16k + savings, butthe Gov't site says clearly How does it work?Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance You may get contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance if you have paid or been credited with class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions in the relevant tax years. Self employed contributions will not generally qualify you for contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance This is based on your income and savings. You may get this if you have not paid enough National Insurance contributions (NICs) (or you've only paid contributions for self-employment) and you're on a low income. Surely if you have savings/haven'tpaid NI then you do NOT get it at all/for 6 mths ??
Answers
champ69
,24 April 2009
,Lovemoney.com
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Answers
@champ69, MikeGG1 gave you the answer. The direct.gov website is badly set out and implies that contribution based JSA is reduced for savings. It isn't. When you apply, just tell them you don't want to claim for income based JSA - it will stop you wasting your time answering questions only to be told at the end you won't get it! The CAB guide is much clearer- http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_people_looking_for_work.htm So to repeat, Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance is not affected by any savings you have. The only things that would reduce it are part-time earnings or pension income.
seems a minefild then ...! I still don't know the answer to my original Q
I have recently been made redundant. I went for an interview at my local job centre where I was told I did not qualify for any Job Seeker's Allowance as I am receiving a pension from a previous employer.
[i]"I have been saving hard to provide for my old age"[/i] Pension savings don't count towards the £16k limit. I would advise anyone facing redundancy to use their savings to pay down their mortgage, the best way being with an offset. That way all you lose are the accumulated ISA allowances you have taken advantage of in the past, not the savings themselves. [i] [/i]
bosun - yep, that's why I am still confused too. If you have been employed and paid all/most NI conts, (Contribution based) then mike says you WILL get JSA regardless of savings (ie not means tested). BUT Govt site says re £6k/£16k, ie still means tested as maybe it 'ought' to be (but then why 'bother' saving if you can't get any benefits. I too an still confused. How do they KNOW what savings you have ?? OK they can ask for some bank statements, but my current account to which salary is paid into, will only show a few pence surplus at the end of the month. If I did not disclose the other few accounts/iSA/bonds, etc (as it seems other peeps don't !!) How would they know ? You do hear of the DHSS and IR computers being 'tied up' together, but I have never seen any evidence of it
I am really confused, per MikeGG1's statement that 'Contribution-based JSA is paid regardless of the income of yourself or your partner.' as the Govt. website says concerning contribution-based JSA that: 'You'll get less if you have savings over £6,000. If you have savings over £16,000 you probably won't qualify.' Like many others of my age, I have been saving hard to provide for my old age, yet it seems that if I were in the unfortunate situation of having lost my job, that I would not get the small weekly sum that I should be entitled to having contributed to the system for over 30 years because I have more than £16k in savings. Am I correct, or have I got it totally wrong?
It is only the Income-based JSA which is means-tested. Contribution-based JSA is paid regardless of the income of yourself or your partner.
It is important to note that JSA is means tested which usually means if a partner is working full-time (over 24 hours a week) you wouldn't be eligible. If a partner is working 16 - 24 hours a week, then the JSA payable will be reduced. If you have a pension then £ for £ over a certain amount will be deducted from JSA. There are stringent conditions on keeping up job applications and attending job interviews. You must also attend all required Job Centre interviews, even if the Job Centre is many miles away. see http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_015272.xml.html
Contribution-based JSA is paid if you have paid enough contributions, regardless of income. Income-based JSA is paid if you haven't paid enough contributions and your income is low. The amount paid is based on other income.
@champ69, MikeGG1 gave you the answer. The direct.gov website is badly set out and implies that contribution based JSA is reduced for savings. It isn't. When you apply, just tell them you don't want to claim for income based JSA - it will stop you wasting your time answering questions only to be told at the end you won't get it! The CAB guide is much clearer- http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_people_looking_for_work.htm So to repeat, Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance is not affected by any savings you have. The only things that would reduce it are part-time earnings or pension income.
seems a minefild then ...! I still don't know the answer to my original Q
I have recently been made redundant. I went for an interview at my local job centre where I was told I did not qualify for any Job Seeker's Allowance as I am receiving a pension from a previous employer.
[i]"I have been saving hard to provide for my old age"[/i] Pension savings don't count towards the £16k limit. I would advise anyone facing redundancy to use their savings to pay down their mortgage, the best way being with an offset. That way all you lose are the accumulated ISA allowances you have taken advantage of in the past, not the savings themselves. [i] [/i]
bosun - yep, that's why I am still confused too. If you have been employed and paid all/most NI conts, (Contribution based) then mike says you WILL get JSA regardless of savings (ie not means tested). BUT Govt site says re £6k/£16k, ie still means tested as maybe it 'ought' to be (but then why 'bother' saving if you can't get any benefits. I too an still confused. How do they KNOW what savings you have ?? OK they can ask for some bank statements, but my current account to which salary is paid into, will only show a few pence surplus at the end of the month. If I did not disclose the other few accounts/iSA/bonds, etc (as it seems other peeps don't !!) How would they know ? You do hear of the DHSS and IR computers being 'tied up' together, but I have never seen any evidence of it
I am really confused, per MikeGG1's statement that 'Contribution-based JSA is paid regardless of the income of yourself or your partner.' as the Govt. website says concerning contribution-based JSA that: 'You'll get less if you have savings over £6,000. If you have savings over £16,000 you probably won't qualify.' Like many others of my age, I have been saving hard to provide for my old age, yet it seems that if I were in the unfortunate situation of having lost my job, that I would not get the small weekly sum that I should be entitled to having contributed to the system for over 30 years because I have more than £16k in savings. Am I correct, or have I got it totally wrong?
It is only the Income-based JSA which is means-tested. Contribution-based JSA is paid regardless of the income of yourself or your partner.
It is important to note that JSA is means tested which usually means if a partner is working full-time (over 24 hours a week) you wouldn't be eligible. If a partner is working 16 - 24 hours a week, then the JSA payable will be reduced. If you have a pension then £ for £ over a certain amount will be deducted from JSA. There are stringent conditions on keeping up job applications and attending job interviews. You must also attend all required Job Centre interviews, even if the Job Centre is many miles away. see http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_015272.xml.html
Contribution-based JSA is paid if you have paid enough contributions, regardless of income. Income-based JSA is paid if you haven't paid enough contributions and your income is low. The amount paid is based on other income.
Contribution-based JSA is paid if you have paid enough contributions, regardless of income. Income-based JSA is paid if you haven't paid enough contributions and your income is low. The amount paid is based on other income.
It is important to note that JSA is means tested which usually means if a partner is working full-time (over 24 hours a week) you wouldn't be eligible. If a partner is working 16 - 24 hours a week, then the JSA payable will be reduced. If you have a pension then £ for £ over a certain amount will be deducted from JSA. There are stringent conditions on keeping up job applications and attending job interviews. You must also attend all required Job Centre interviews, even if the Job Centre is many miles away. see http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_015272.xml.html
It is only the Income-based JSA which is means-tested. Contribution-based JSA is paid regardless of the income of yourself or your partner.
I am really confused, per MikeGG1's statement that 'Contribution-based JSA is paid regardless of the income of yourself or your partner.' as the Govt. website says concerning contribution-based JSA that: 'You'll get less if you have savings over £6,000. If you have savings over £16,000 you probably won't qualify.' Like many others of my age, I have been saving hard to provide for my old age, yet it seems that if I were in the unfortunate situation of having lost my job, that I would not get the small weekly sum that I should be entitled to having contributed to the system for over 30 years because I have more than £16k in savings. Am I correct, or have I got it totally wrong?
bosun - yep, that's why I am still confused too. If you have been employed and paid all/most NI conts, (Contribution based) then mike says you WILL get JSA regardless of savings (ie not means tested). BUT Govt site says re £6k/£16k, ie still means tested as maybe it 'ought' to be (but then why 'bother' saving if you can't get any benefits. I too an still confused. How do they KNOW what savings you have ?? OK they can ask for some bank statements, but my current account to which salary is paid into, will only show a few pence surplus at the end of the month. If I did not disclose the other few accounts/iSA/bonds, etc (as it seems other peeps don't !!) How would they know ? You do hear of the DHSS and IR computers being 'tied up' together, but I have never seen any evidence of it
[i]"I have been saving hard to provide for my old age"[/i] Pension savings don't count towards the £16k limit. I would advise anyone facing redundancy to use their savings to pay down their mortgage, the best way being with an offset. That way all you lose are the accumulated ISA allowances you have taken advantage of in the past, not the savings themselves. [i] [/i]
I have recently been made redundant. I went for an interview at my local job centre where I was told I did not qualify for any Job Seeker's Allowance as I am receiving a pension from a previous employer.
seems a minefild then ...! I still don't know the answer to my original Q
@champ69, MikeGG1 gave you the answer. The direct.gov website is badly set out and implies that contribution based JSA is reduced for savings. It isn't. When you apply, just tell them you don't want to claim for income based JSA - it will stop you wasting your time answering questions only to be told at the end you won't get it! The CAB guide is much clearer- http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_people_looking_for_work.htm So to repeat, Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance is not affected by any savings you have. The only things that would reduce it are part-time earnings or pension income.