JSA Question: Working Up To 15 Hours A Week, Does That Come Off Your Benefit?
I just spoke to someone at my local job centre, asked him if I was to get a job working up to 15 hours a week, that would it affect my JSA and he said they would take whatever I earnt off the JSA payments apart from the first £5. Is that correct?
I was of the understanding that people could work up to 15 hours a week without it affecting their benefits!
I was of the understanding that people could work up to 15 hours a week without it affecting their benefits!
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He didn't say that, he told me whatever I earnt would be taken off the benefit apart from the first £5. If I was to work 12 hours a week on minimum wage and thats almost £6 an hour then that would be about £72 a week, the benefit is £67 a week which gets paid to me about every 2 and a half weeks all in all in 2 combined payments.
Yes they give you £5
What about housing benefit, would they expect me to pay for that on 12 hours a week?
Depends on how much you were earning, If it's more than what you would get on JSA I think you may have to contribute, probably not much though.
I would have thought a person on a very low income would get help with rent/council tax but the government are not exactly keen on handouts for luxuries like a roof over your head.
A roof over our heads is a luxury huh?
Thanks for that last point. I really think the Government should change the rules. I would definetely apply for part time jobs if I was to get enough tax credit or other benefit to pay my rent/council tax but otherwise its impossible. No way would I earn enough off minimum wage jobs to pay rent/ c tax, food and things like gas/electricity.
I think if they changed the rules and allowed part time workers to get tax credits and then over time these jobs went full time, it could only benefit the economy. Though having said that, i can envisage some choosing to stay on part time and not have any disposable income.
You can earn up to £90.00 per week before your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit is affected although you'd have to claim it direct from the Housing Department as it won't be paid by the DWP.
Best bet is to book an In Works Benefit calculation at the Jobcentre, then you'll know exactly how you stand
If you're working less than 16 hours a week, try to keep your weekly hours the same otherwise your benefits will be all over the place :eek:
Hope that helps
10p actually
Granted, the minimum wage in this country is too low, but no one is financially better off not working than working. When people say they would be worse off, what that translates to is "I will be better off, but not enough for me to be arsed getting out of bed."
I wasn't keen on working part time but I think I will have to as I don't want a gap in my c.v. (That's if I can get P/T work lol)
Thanks for the info.
Whats your take on if I go into self employment but I don't earn enough to pay normal bills and quit it as a result? Would i qualify for a reclaim or would they say no, thats voluntary unemployment? If it is the latter, that is unfair if someone's not earning enough to live on isn't it?
No problem
Good news is that the Leaving Voluntarily rules don't apply to self-employment so you'd be able to put in a new claim the day after you stop trading.
There's an additional claim form you have to fill in when you re-claim and the Jobcentre may need to see your business accounts and bank statements, aside from that it should be straightforward
RE BIB, Is that a definite? No one has ever told me that before. I may just go for it then if it is true.
Don't worry, it's kosher!
If you're planning to work for more than 16 hours a week (i.e. signing off JSA) ask the JC about the Adviser Discretionary Fund. You may get money or vouchers for work clothing, tools, equipment etc. but you have to apply for it before you start work.
If you've been claiming JSA for more than 6 months you might also get a 4-week run-on for Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit and also £100 for just getting a job! Again, you'll need to check with the JC to make sure you qualify
Got to take the dog out before she savages me :eek: but I'll check back later in case there's anything else you'd like to know
Thanks for all the info, appreciate it. Just gonna have to ponder on what to do. Economy is so bad, self employment could be a bad move, but then again, if I put the hours in, I may survive on it.