Been told I do not qualify for anything

[brent100]

Hi

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

 

Just lost my job as shop closed down.

worked 20 hrs per week @ 5.73 p/h = £114

 

Husband earns same amount so we now only earn £114

 

Been to claim Job seekers allowance and told I do not qualify as I have not paid enough NI contributions over last 2 years ("we're not interested in anything before 2 years ago")

 

Also....looking to start a college course in September. I am 39 years old and have paid NI contributions since I was 16 excpet for 6 months (13 years ago) when our second daughter was born and 6 months (17 years ago) when our first daughter was born).

Husband has paid NI contributions for 22 years non stop.

 

Can anyone advise if the "nice lady" at the JSA centre was incorrect and are there any financial incentives for mature college students?

 

Thank you in advance.

[uneverdid]

Can you not claim tax credits, If your children are only 16 and 13 if you go onto the web site called 'entitled to' put your details in you dont have to put your postcode in. It is a fab site and will tell you exactly what you are entitled to. Good luck

[brent100]

Hi

Yes we claim tax credits as my husband still works but I cannot believe that I am not entitled to JSA as I have paid in all my life!

[kk3852]

Have you been paying class 2 (self employed) national insurance ? If you have it does not qualify you for JSA

[ErikaPNP]

I'm afraid she is correct. You have to have paid enough class 1 NI contributions as an individual in the past two tax years. So for this year, that would be the tax years 07/08 and 08/09. What you have previously paid or what your partner has paid is not taken into account.

 

I assume you are already claiming Tax Credits. If so, you will need to advise them of your change in circumstances if you haven't already, so they can update your award.

Edited July 27, 2009 by ErikaPNP

[uneverdid]

I have done a quick check for you and i think you will be surprised you will also qualify for council tax reduction

[brent100]

I have paid class 1 NI contributions.

 

Erika PNP - What is the minimum NI contributions for the 2 years ?

[kk3852]

Its 50 x the lower earnings limit for each year. The lower earnings limit is the amount of earnings that you start paying national insurance. I think that for this year it is about £95 a week. (prob not as much for earlier years so you will have to do a bit of digging)

 

So if it was this year (09/10) you will have to find out the amount of national insurance payable for the £95 (ish) earnings and then times it by 50.

 

The years you need to look at are 08/09 and 07/08

[brent100]

Thats kind of what I thought.

I have earned roughly £114 per week for the last 2 years and have paid NI contributions on this amount for 52 weeks of each year so based on this I should qualify?

 

....or am I missing something?

[ErikaPNP]

There are two main contribution conditions:

 

The first is that you must have paid class 1 National Insurance contributions with an earnings factor of at least 25 times the lower earnings level in one of the two relevant contribution years.

 

Earnings factor of at least 25 times the lower earnings level means that, for example, in the year 07/08 you must have paid 25 x £87 = £2175.00. Or in the tax year 08/09 it would be 25 x £90 = £2250.00

 

The second contribution condition is that in each of the relevant contribution years you must have either paid or been credited with Class 1 contributions with an earnings factor of at least 50 times the lower earnings limit for that year.

 

It's also worth noting that Occupational Pension can interfere with entitlement to contribution based JSA. A lot of people think that because it's not means tested, Occupational Pension is disregarded. It's not.

 

You should be able to see what NI you have paid on your P60's for the last two tax years. (Remember it is the two tax years prior to the year of the date of claim for JSA - so you would be looking at 07/08 abnd 08/09)

 

As an aside, have they offered you the option of signing on JSA to get your stamp paid?

[insyder]

There are two main contribution conditions:

Remember it is the two tax years prior to the year of the date of claim for JSA - so you would be looking at 07/08 abnd 08/09

 

Just to clear this up, it will be the two full tax years ending in the year before the calendar year that the claim is made. So claims made in 2009 will use the two relevant income tax years 2006/07 and 2007/08.

 

The usual reason for failing the JSA contributions conditions when it looks as if you should be receiving it are is that the employer has not posted the contributions record. This is where the P60s would come into play.

 

Contact the benefit processing office and ask them what your contribution record shows and then explain that you have information which contradicts this. They will usually book you an appointment to provide the information at the jobcentre.

[mazbck]

The same has just happened for me for ESA, seemingly I hadnt paid enough NI for 06/07, I was working and my ex-employer hadnt filed returns before the company went bust.

 

Contact the HMRC on 0845 915 5996 to clarify what years you are short. If you have your P60 then send it to the following -

 

HM Revenue & Customs

National Insurance Contributions Office

Benton Park View

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE98 1ZZ

 

And mark the envelope Benefit Involved.

 

You should still be able to sign on, even if you dont get anything as that will keep your NI credits up to date.

[gumbobriggs]

Just a slight diversion from the OP.

 

I've been turned down for both ESA and JSA. I'm long term disabled (had a broken leg near the ankle and it's reset wrong). My partner is working 30 hours a week, so no income based benefits. I'm waiting for a claim for DLA.

 

I cannot see the point in travelling a hour by bus to sign on, then a hour back (spending money I haven't got and I'm in constant pain when I walk) just to get NI contributions. Or am I missing the point?

[brent100]

So.....getting a bit confused but for sake of clarity can anyone confirm the folllowing?

Am I entitled to JSA based on the fact that I have....

 

.....paid class 1 NI contributions for 07-08 & 08-09 on 20 hours @ minimum wage.

 

I am getting conflicting opinions....some agree with the benefits office and others say I am entitled. Is there not a hard & fast rule?