Redundancy, Military Pension Claiming Job Seeekers

[howierips]

Hi,

question relates to will I be able to claim jobseekers allowance or should I just save myself the humiliation of signing on?

 

Situation:

Just been informed by my employers of 11 year that my post is to be made redundant,

I am 56 years old, ex military

I completed 22 years and I am in receipt of my military pension payment,

I understand that if made redundant compulsory or voluntary you are entitled to claim Job Seekers allowance,

my question is as I have my military pension payment each month will I be entitled to Job Seekers?

[reallymadwoman]

I'm sure an expert will be along soon, but I imagine you are entitled to 'contributions based' job seekers allowance, which is paid for 6 months regardless of your income. After the 6 months I believe your pension would be deducted from JSA pound for pound.

 

Most likely it would be best to sign on for your 6 months, then close your claim.

 

I'm assuming you have enough NI contributions for a full retirement pension. If you're not sure, you can ask for a forecast - a google search should turn up the details. If you don't have enough contributions you might need to continue signing on even after the 6 months just to get your NI credits.

[Bazooka Boo]

Hi,

 

Try using one of the benefits calculators such as http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

 

I am in receipt of a service pension also, but as I am now retired due to disability, I do qualify for some benefits.

[flumps1976]

The first £50 per week of your pension is disregarded for JSA© claims.

[lenny100]

you be lucky to get anything unfortunaly, i am in the same boat and apart from my esa, i am not able to claim any other types of benifits including houseing and councail tax, this is the thanks we get for puting our lifes on the line for queen and country

[howierips]

Thank you all for your time to reply, RMW I really wanted you to be right I knew I would not be entitled to other benefits but just wanted to confirm if JSA was worth going through the humiliation process to claim but sadly it appears as my old service muckers confirm it does seem I wil not get much or nothing at all of JSA?

[reallymadwoman]

I've just checked on a couple of benefit sites and they all say contribution based JSA is not means tested.

 

Is there any harm in making the claim and seeing what they say? If they say you're not entitled then you can always withdraw the claim.

 

If you do decide to make a claim, could you post the outcome in case it helps someone else?

[howierips]

RMW you are right, I will make a claim and see what comes of it then I will know for sure, Thank you.

[sillygirl1]

Check yourself on http://www.entitledto.com

 

That is the best way, then you can take the info it provides to the DWP when you go to sign on.

 

I think it is a disgrace that the military people do not get an 'automatic' allowance when they are made redundant - after all look at the MPs who get 'grace and favour' places worth an arm and a leg... and they don't have to risk either in their plum positions.

[howierips]

Hi SG1 thanks for your support and the link and just had a quick look and can see that I was not understanding is that JSA is 2 types:Income-based JSA is means testedContributory JSA is Non means testedI will do a search as necessary but anyone know is there a great deal of difference in what is actually paid? amounts?

[sillygirl1]

The two basic amounts of £71.00 a week are the same... (that is if you are over 25).

[howierips]

SG1, thanks good news, mind a little easier now its not a fortune but will lessen the impact for 6 months as I am envisgaing in present climate it not being easy to get another job either at same income or less as I am 56. Now need to go to pensions see about private pension drawing early at 56 or cashing it in as only been paying in since 2003?

[sillygirl1]

I can't advise about pensions, but you might be able to get Brigader who is on here to see what they can do. I can alert them to this thread if you want.

 

You might want to look at going self employed and claiming tax credits (do that on the same site) as it might be more than unemployment benefit, you might also qualify for a bit more housing/council tax benefit that way too.

[howierips]

SMG1, will have a look for Brigader posts thanks. Self employed dont understand reasoning there but sounds interesting!

[honeybee13]

SG1, thanks good news, mind a little easier now its not a fortune but will lessen the impact for 6 months as I am envisgaing in present climate it not being easy to get another job either at same income or less as I am 56. Now need to go to pensions see about private pension drawing early at 56 or cashing it in as only been paying in since 2003?

 

Hello there.

 

If you contact the pension company/ies, they should be able to tell you what your options are. I would ring in the first instance and ask for written confirmation of what they tell you.

 

My best, HB

[antone]

JSA© is not means tested, but two types of income are taken into account: income from employment and income from pensions. As mentioned upthread, the first £50 of pension income is disregarded, the rest will be taken pound for pound from any award.

[antone]

Hi SG1 thanks for your support and the link and just had a quick look and can see that I was not understanding is that JSA is 2 types:Income-based JSA is means testedContributory JSA is Non means testedI will do a search as necessary but anyone know is there a great deal of difference in what is actually paid? amounts?

 

The main difference from your point of view would be the disregard - £50 of pension income is disregarded for JSA© but for JSA(IB) all of it would be taken into account.

[sillygirl1]

I've contacted Brigader for you and they should be coming onto this thread at some time.