Job Seekers Allowance being stopped... No reason! Please advise..

[tequilamock]

My husband has been miserably unemployed for 5 months. In that time, he has had approximately 20 interviews and is trying incredibly hard. However, the job centre have been really awful.. They have not offered him ONE job opportunity (say he's over qualified) and they now expect him to go visit them every week. Sometimes twice a week! This in itself is a huge waste of time, as it is 2 days less per week that he is job hunting.

He is today at an interview 180 miles away.. and has another tomorrow 100 miles away.

However, a letter came today (which I opened and have now hidden, as he needs to stay positive and focussed for the next 2 days). The letter said that they are STOPPING his JSA from November, as he earns too much money!??

He earns nothing! He has no job! They say it is due to a 'recent change'... There has been no change!

It also says This payment of JSA is based on your class 1 NI contribution record.

What are they talking about?!

HOW can they just stop JSA when he is genuinely unemployed and jumping through all their hoops?

Thnaks

[muchlovex]

I would contact the JC as a matter of urgency to explain there has been no change in circumstances what-so-ever.

Hopefully that will clarify things for him.

I wish your husband luck in gaining a new job soon.
Muchlovex

[ttfn]

ESA contributory (based on N.I. record) is payable for a max of 6 months. Thereafter he may receive income-based ESA on application. This swould take into account any income you may have and savings for both of you.

[berniecuddles]

been through all this last year when i was out of work for a year!
you only get jsa for the 1st 6 months based on your contribution, i then got nothing because my wife works,i told them i had worked for over 35 years but it didnt make any difference to them,now if you had just left school a different kettle of fish a young chap signing on the same day as i was had left school over 3 years ago paid nothing in but was still on js alowance work that one out total carve up!
as for the job centre most useless and unhelpful people i have ever dealt with, good luck to your husband findin a job something will come along it took me a year but i got there in the end!

[hc4361]

Contribution based JSA is paid for only 182 days. If you are earning, or there is any form of income coming in to the household then your husband may not qualify for income based JSA.
You say he has been unemployed for 5 months, so it seems likely the 182 days are up in November.

[tequilamock]

Good GOD! I had NO idea! That is ridiculous!! Does that mean he won't have to suffer the humiliation of 'signing on' any more, or will they still insist he does this, but for no money?!

This law is going to ruin a lot of families... It's taking people a lot longer to find work nowadays - as bernie said...

Thanks for all your good wishes. We remain positive that something will come off soon... Would just be better if he didn't have to live 180 miles away from me and our 3 year old daughter...

[hc4361]

He should still sign on to receive his National Insurance credits.

[berniecuddles]

yes you still have to sign on and in the last 3 months they made me come in every week to sign on and not 2 weeks as before!!
bloody stupid, idea being was come in every week get an extra 5 minutes of their valuable time (trying not to laugh) to help you get a job!!