job seekers allowace

[Jo Foster]

Hi.

I have applied for Job seekers allowance and have been declined due to my claim being basd on not enough contributions in the tax year April 2005-April 2006. I thought that I should have been able to claim as I have worked constantly since January 2005. What happened to Tax april 206 to April 2007, and we are in yet another further tax year (2007 - 2008) Is this correct that they can base my claim on so far back?

[Mumof2]

I believe they look at the last 3 tax years..if not enough contributions then put a claim in for income based JSA

[Jo Foster]

I was under the impression that it was based on either the last 26 weeks or the last 12 months - anyone any ideas?

[treborrobert]

well how old r u first and do u have kids and r u one parent ?

[Buenchico]

I'm confused by your post because you state that you've been in continuous employment since January 2005 but you haven't made enough contributions during part of this period. If you were an employee (rather than self-employed) your employer should have ensured that your NI contributions were kept up to date. If you were self-employed, your NI payments (Class 2) don't count towards Contribution Based JSA anyway.

Further, if you don't qualify for Contribution Based JSA, you should still be entitled to receive Income Based JSA (which is completely independent of your NI record). The principal exception would be if you had savings of over �16,000. (However, because Contribution Based JSA is means-tested, your partner's income may also come into the equation).

For further information see here
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefit s/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedor lookingforwork/DG_10014402
and here:
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/ WorkingAgeBenefits/Jobseekerallowance/index.ht ml

Chris

[Jo Foster]

Thanks for that answer. Apparantly as I have only contributions for the last 1/4 of 2005 that is not enough, even though I have been continuously employed since.