A relative they want to leave money to, is on Jobseekers Allowance. What is the MAXIMUM amount of money this person can be left, WITHOUT losing their Jobseekers Allowance?
CAB have been no help at all.
Many thanks in advance!! : )
Mitchell (PS I am not first or second person mentioned here!)
If you've £16,000 in savings, then you're not entitled to JSA.
If you've less than £6,000, you're entitled to full JSA.
If you've savings somewhere between £6,000 and £16,000, you're entitled to a reduced rate JSA, pro rata with the amount of savings you have.
For the first year a claimant is on JSA does what they have have any bearing on benefit? After that the amount they have will affect their benefit level.
Yes it does sandy- if we are takling about income based JSA. Contribution based JSA is not means tested but the amounts paid are relatively small, run out after 6 months I think and depend on the claimant having paid enough NI
Just to clarify the above:
Someone who becomes unemployed with a recent full record of National Insurance Contributions becomes eligible for Contribution-based JSA. That is NOT means-tested. (The person could have billions in the bank and still receive it). However Contribution-Based JSA only lasts for a maximum of 6 months.
Unemployed people who don't qualify for Contribution-based JSA (either because they've not paid enough National Insurance Contributions or because they've reached the 6-month limit) can apply for Income-based JSA which IS means tested, with Gizmonster's post above providing the correct information.