Calculation for Contribution Based JSA? **RESOLVED**

[suziebear67]

Hi is this still the same for claiming in 2015 thanks in advance

 

The last two completed tax years prior to the current benefit year are the ones they look at. This is benefit year 2012, so the Relevant Income Tax Years (RITYs) are 2009/10 and 2010/11. Once this is established, there are two contribution conditions, and both must be satisfied in order for a claimant to be entitled to JSA©.

The First

contribution

Condition:

 

In at least one of the two RITYs you must have

actually paid

NI contributions on an income that is at least 26 times the Lower Earnings Limit for NI. This limit changes each year - in 2011/12 it was £104 per week, this year it's £107. Additionally, since 2010 this must be satisfied by working at least 26 weeks in the tax year.

 

The Second Contribution Condition:

 

In

both

of the RITYs you must have paid or been credited with NI contributions on an income that is 50 times the LEL mentioned above.

 

As you've noted, Class 2 contributions paid by self employed people do not count for JSA purposes, and neither do credits paid on your behalf while you are on JSA. Credits paid while on Incapacity Benefit or ESA do count, however.

[antone]

That quote reads suspiciously like I wrote it a couple of years ago

 

Anyhow, yes, the rules are still the same. This is now benefit year 2015, so the RITYs are 2012/13 and 2013/14. The LELs are £107 and £109 per week in those years.

[suziebear67]

Thanks I searched and copy pasted lol the, joke centre telling me today I have to had to have worked for both tax years and any credits for ESA do not count grrrrr.

 

12/13 - 8 months work @ 32 hrs a week plus 2 months JSA and 2 months ESA.

 

13/14 - 7 months ESA and 4 months JSA.

 

Had to argue with woman to put claim in as I know I may not have right contributions but its worth applying as you never know.

[suziebear67]

Hi the highly trained staff at the DWP have used tax years end of 11 and 12 for claim put in on 22nd April 2015, and say I havent paid enough contributions I worked full time in both these years.

 

I did have JSA claim Dec 12 for 2 months and Oct 13 for 4 months, can you claim ESA and JSA on same tax years. Im still confused why they have used years 11 and 12 anyone got a clue why these years have been used thanks advance.

[suziebear67]

Resolved after new info from HMRC was downloaded JSA cont allowed for 182 days .

[citizenB]

That is good news, suzie

[suziebear67]

Thanks thats twice they have said not enough contributions and then changed their mind so its always worth applying even if its been a while since you worked.