My daughter's JSA claim refusal

wild_one

Hopefully someone may be able to help. My daughter came off ESA about 12 months ago and has been looking for work. It's been a rocky road and she has been surviving on savings. But a few weeks back to finally decided to make a claim for JSA. Today she received a letter telling her that her claim has been refused due to her having insufficient NI contributions. Could some kind soul point us towards a solution?

Thanks

wild_one

Sorry I should have mentioned that my daughter is 21yr lives with me. I'm on ESA/HB/CTR.

Again thanks

chiarieds

Hi @wild_one - Your daughter could try the following link to see what benefits she may be able to claim; perhaps Universal Credit. See: https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

There's some info here about UC.

See: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/universal-credit/

& from the government's website: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

If able to claim UC, it will take a further 5 weeks before she receives any money, as it's paid in arrears.

I hope this helps, & please let us know how she gets on.

Jeet_Scope

Hi @wild_one
She should contact the HMRC and ask for a National Insurance Statement of Account which will state her contributions for the last couple of years. It's worth checking that the National Insurance contributions she thinks she's paid (will say on her payslips) have been credited to her HMRC record.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/NationalInsurance/IntroductiontoNationalInsurance/DG_190052

you can also contact our helpline on 0808 800 3333 as they may be able to signpost you to a benefits advisor. 

Many Thanks 

wild_one

Jeet_Scope said:

Hi @wild_one
She should contact the HMRC and ask for a National Insurance Statement of Account which will state her contributions for the last couple of years. It's worth checking that the National Insurance contributions she thinks she's paid (will say on her payslips) have been credited to her HMRC record.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/NationalInsurance/IntroductiontoNationalInsurance/DG_190052

you can also contact our helpline on 0808 800 3333 as they may be able to signpost you to a benefits advisor. 

Many Thanks 

She’s never worked. She left her college course due to illness and went onto esa. I understand you need 2yrs of ni contributions to qualify for JSA? I was under the impression that when she was claiming ESA no contributions are made for you?

is it possible for my daughter to claim UC while she lives with me as I’m not claiming UC and still on ESS HB/cTR

thanks

wild_one

chiarieds said:

Hi @wild_one - Your daughter could try the following link to see what benefits she may be able to claim; perhaps Universal Credit. See: https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

There's some info here about UC.

See: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/universal-credit/

& from the government's website: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

If able to claim UC, it will take a further 5 weeks before she receives any money, as it's paid in arrears.

I hope this helps, & please let us know how she gets on.

The UC calculators assume that the claimants have housing costs responsibility. They don’t seem to allow for claimants living with their parents?

chiarieds

Hi @wild_one - Sorry about the benefits checker. I've seen it recommended, but haven't used it personally. You're correct, you need the past 2 financial years of NI contributions to claim New JSA.

See:https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/eligibility

Please look through the UC links to see if they're helpful. Your daughter must previously have been on Income-related ESA, which is when you don't have sufficient NI contributions from previous years.

P.S. You could also ring the UC helpline: Telephone: 0800 328 5644

Adrian_Scope

Hello @wild_one.
Universal Credit has replaced income-related JSA, so it will be Universal Credit she needs to claim. 

I noticed your query asking if she can claim UC even though you're on legacy benefits still and wanted to confirm that she can, and it won't force you to switch over. Applications to UC are done online: www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit

As she's under 25 and doesn't have children or housing costs, she should receive the standard allowance of £342.72 a month.

wild_one

Adrian_Scope said:

Hello @wild_one.
Universal Credit has replaced income-related JSA, so it will be Universal Credit she needs to claim. 

I noticed your query asking if she can claim UC even though you're on legacy benefits still and wanted to confirm that she can, and it won't force you to switch over. Applications to UC are done online: www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit

As she's under 25 and doesn't have children or housing costs, she should receive the standard allowance of £342.72 a month.

Hi Adrian, thank you very much for that.

I have one small query. On her UC application under housing, would it be correct for her to say she pays zero rent as I am the tenant and I claim the HB/CRT. Although she will pay me 'keep' as most kids do?

Again, many thanks

Adrian_Scope

Hi @wild_one, yes she’d put that she doesn’t pay rent as the keep she pays you isn’t considered.