Benefits

[tony_mc]

Hi

Recently made redundant and i'm claiming Jobseekers Allowance. I asked the DWP if i was entitled to any other benefits - they didn't know!

Is Jobseekers the only entitlement?

[aelmpvw]

you could well be entitled to several other benefits but it depends on your financial situation

[scorpiojo]

Do you pay rent?

[ummmm]

Are you single? Any dependent children? Do you own or rent your home?

[tony_mc]

Thanks both

I dont pay rent

[bednobs]

it's pointless nyone on here giving you advice if getting infor about your finncial situation is going to be like pulling teeth
use this calculator:
http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

[tony_mc]

thanks - entitled to is actually telling me I am not even entitled to JSA

[bednobs]

that seems odd!

[Old_Geezer]

Interesting that the local council makes a difference. Not equity across the nation then ?

For a laugh I'm putting my details in. Tells me I can claim universal benefit if I start looking for work. But in the "next breath" says I won't be affected by it, whatever that means. And if I say to calculate it it then says I'm not entitled ! Seems a dodgy calculator.

But I may give up. I can't be going around trying to work out what shares value I own or building society minor sums.

Chucked in a couple of guesses and I find it is no point embarrassing myself asking if I'm entitled to anything. Obviously I was too prudent and careful when I was younger, for my own good ;-)

[fiction-factory]

Maybe ther terms have changed a bit but I thinkjSA still comes in two varieties- income based an d contribution based. If you are getting JSA it's probably Contribution Based - I assume it's not Income Based as the calculator shows you aren't entitled to it. I assume you have one or more of the following- other income such as a pension, savings over the threshold, or other household income- probably if your wife works

[Buenchico]

Contribution-based JSA is available to anyone who:
(a) is genuinely unemployed ;
(b) is genuinely seeking work ; and
(c) has been paying National Insurance contributions.
It's not means-tested. (Even someone made redundant from a million pounds per year job, with several mansions, a yacht and a private jet is entitled to it). The maximum period that it can be paid is 6 months.

Income-based JSA can be applied for by anyone who meets conditions (a) & (b) above but who is not eligible for Contribution-based JSA (either because they've not paid enough National Insurance or because the 6-month period for Contribution-based JSA has ended). It IS means-tested, with your savings the income of your partner (where relevant) being taken into account.

So you should be getting Contribution-based JSA but you need to be aware that if you haven't found a job within 6 months you might not get Income-based JSA thereafter (depending upon whether you've got savings and/or a partner with their own income).

If you don't pay rent you won't qualify for Local Housing Allowance payments. If you've got a mortgage you can't get Support for Mortgage Interest until you switch from Contribution-based JSA to Income-based JSA after 6 months (if you're eligible for I-B JSA).

Benefits such as free NHS prescriptions only apply to those on I-B JSA, not to people in receipt of C-B JSA.

The only other financial help you might be able to receive is a reduction in your Council Tax. That's means-tested and, as it's no longer a national scheme, the reduction you get varies from one local authority to another. If you live in an area covered by both district and county councils (rather than a Metropolitan or Unitary council), it's the district council that you need to apply to.