JSA refused because husband works 24+ hours a week

[Silky444]

I've been out of work for 4 months and yesterday I decided it's time I needed to sign on and get JSA to help with bills and food. my husband works around 45+ hours a week, my local Job Center phoned me up this morning and said that I'm not entitled to any benefits but they would still pay my National Insurance. Is there anything I can do that will make them change there mind and review it? i really do need help finding a job and me nore my husband have no savings what so ever. What can I do? :confused::-?

[tiredandangry]

Hi have you tried the citizens advice bureau? They can look at what you are earning as a family and what your benefit entitlements are. The benefits agency does make mistakes.

[Silky444]

Hmm yeah, I guess i will give the CAB a ring and see what they say

Edited April 24, 2009 by Silky444

[saintly_1]

Can you not get WTC ?

[Silky444]

Wtc? :s

[Lula]

working tax credits

[Silky444]

Oh right, Well if they ain't going to give me JSA then whats the point,?. I need a job.. not to go on WTC

[saintly_1]

You might be entitlted to Working Tax Credit .... have you never applied ?

[Lula]

I beleive that WTC would be paid to your husband, it all depends on a few factors, how many children, how much he earns etc etc, it is well worth finding out about

[sandysue103]

From what you have said it sounds like you have been refused Income Based Jobseekers Allowance. If your husband works for 24 hours per week or more then you are not entitled to this type of Jobseekers Allowance. If you have been told you will not receive any money at all then it sounds like you have not paid enough National Insurance Contributions within the relevant tax years to qualify for Contribution based JSA. You cannot appeal these decisions, however, if you have reason to believe that they have made a mistake, for instance if you believe that you may have paid enough National Insurance Contributions to qualify, then you can ask them to check your entitlement again. It would be best to write a letter to request this as you will then receive a letter back, with the decision explained in writing. If you do it over the phone then they might blind you with science a bit.

 

In terms of Tax Credits, do you have children? If you do, you may qualify for Child Tax Credit. Are you and your husband over 25? You may qualify for Working Tax Credit, depending on what your husband earns. If you go to the HMRC website, or pop Tax Credit calculator into a search engine then you will be able to estimate your own entitlement.

 

I'm sure someone with more comprehensive knowledge will come along and possibly with an entitlement calculator. Hope this helps in the meantime.

[Silky444]

My husband works 46 hours a week, No children as we are in a civil partership. I'm 20 years old, i recently got tax back from tax office. as i was paying to much in my last job.

[poppynurse]

How much does your OH earn?

Have you paid NI on your earnings for the last two full tax years?