Redundancy and Job Seekers Allowance

[hoathenfold]

I just got made redundant from a large American Bank. I worked there for 12 years (4 as a contractor and then 8 as a permanent member of staff.)

I went to sign on last week, and everything was ok.

Just got a letter yesterday that advises that Im not actually entitled to ANYTHING.

Im a bit shocked by this. I know I got a redundany package, but I would have thought that as I have worked since I was 16, contributed to the the system for 24 years, never claimed a penny, and have been a high rate tax payer for the last 10, I would have been due something.

I know that its only £60 a week, but that would be useful just to help with expenses towards finding a new job.

I will call the Jobcentre tommorow, but I feel really let down by the system, especially when i see that woman on the news last week who appears to have contributed nothing to the system who is getting about £150,000 a year!!

Am I being unreasonable about my expectations on this?

[lingus75]

Unfortunately, you are not an immigrant or a persistent dole scrounging piece of st with loads of kids on Ritalin, bad luck.

[odyssey2200]

IIRC if you have more than £16K in savings you get...........fk ALL!

Just guessing that you redundancy might have been more than that?

[hoathenfold]

Yes - my package was more than that.
It has occured to me however that I owe my parents a few grand or so from over the years when they have helpded me out when i bought my flat. Maybe I should pay my debts off.
And incidently, I havent actually had any redundancy money yet and i wont get it for another 3 weeks.
I'll just starve til then.

[Penny-lope]

Ah but even when you are female and preggers, you don't always get something.

When I fell pregnant with my son, 7 years ago, I was at uni, but had worked for the previous 12 years F/T and P/T. During that time, I too had my paid tax, thinking that if the day ever came that I would have to sign on, then I would be entitled to something....silly silly me

I was told my partner (not married) should be supporting me...end of!!!

I can now understand why some many people spilt or pretend to split at times like that.

Edited by Penny-lope on Sunday 19th October 11:45

[odyssey2200]

hoathenfold said:

Yes - my package was more than that.
It has occured to me however that I owe my parents a few grand or so from over the years when they have helpded me out when i bought my flat. Maybe I should pay my debts off.
And incidently, I havent actually had any redundancy money yet and i wont get it for another 3 weeks.
I'll just starve til then.

IIRC you owe me a few grand too.

I could let you borrow/rent some space in my account if you like

Settle every debt you can etc to get below £16K and have another go at them.

[Alfa_75_Steve]

Just make some payments to your parents and generally find semi-legitimate ways to bring your payout down below the limit, then you *should* be OK.

Just a thought, though - did you apply for the right kind of JSA? - ie. contribution based, rather than income based? - I thought (but could be wrong) that contribution based was available to everyone.

[Semi hemi]

Also makes a difference if it was Voluantary Redundancy or compulsory redundancy

[dickymint]

odyssey2200 said:

IIRC if you have more than £16K in savings you get...........fk ALL!

Just guessing that you redundancy might have been more than that?

Means testing only kicks in after 6 months. As long as you have paid your National Insurance you are entitled to JSA (assuming you actively seek work).

[odyssey2200]

I see the need for a PH dole scroungers jobseekers forum!

See you there guys,

off to DFS to buy a new sofa and to currys for a 50inch plasma!

[hoathenfold]

Thanks all for your responses.
My redundancy was compulsory and i also thought i was going to get contribution based allowance.
I also thought this was available to everyone who had 'contributed'.
Maybe this isnt the case, but i will definately get my debts paid off straight away and then reapply.

[odyssey2200]

dickymint said:

odyssey2200 said:

IIRC if you have more than £16K in savings you get...........fk ALL!

Just guessing that you redundancy might have been more than that?

Means testing only kicks in after 6 months. As long as you have paid your National Insurance you are entitled to JSA (assuming you actively seek work).

I am fairly sure that 16K excludes you!
IIRC you can still sign on to get your NI paid by the Job center

[V8mate]

hoathenfold said:

Thanks all for your responses.
My redundancy was compulsory and i also thought i was going to get contribution based allowance.
I also thought this was available to everyone who had 'contributed'.
Maybe this isnt the case, but i will definately get my debts paid off straight away and then reapply.

I wouldn't chuck your redundancy money away quite so fast for the sake of £60 a week. Not wanting to be a pessimist, but you never know how long the situation might last.

Do challenge the DHSS (or whatever they're called) first though, with regard to ow they have calculated your £0.00 benefits.

Edited by V8mate on Sunday 19th October 12:09

[condor]

It could be that you've been given a notice period that isn't up yet....or were entitled to a notice period.
I took voluntary redundancy about 14 years ago and was to wait 3 months before I'd be entitled to anything. Still had to sign on to get the NI contributions paid though.

[dickymint]

odyssey2200 said:

dickymint said:

odyssey2200 said:

IIRC if you have more than £16K in savings you get...........fk ALL!

Just guessing that you redundancy might have been more than that?

Means testing only kicks in after 6 months. As long as you have paid your National Insurance you are entitled to JSA (assuming you actively seek work).

I am fairly sure that 16K excludes you!
IIRC you can still sign on to get your NI paid by the Job center

Two types of JSA. Contribution based (first six months) and Income based after six months - IIRC only income based is means tested.

[Stigmundfreud]

odyssey2200 said:

IIRC if you have more than £16K in savings you get...........fk ALL!

Just guessing that you redundancy might have been more than that?

better than that, if you have more than 3k you get nothing - if you have a mortgage thats ok they will help you but if you are in a position where you have no mortgage they force you to sell all your net worth until you have under 3k then they will help you.

Actually just thinking as I wrote that, a friend of mine actually had to even sell his house which he had a mortgage on...

[odyssey2200]

I have house, mortgage, 3 kids and the usual debts/ outgoings.


I got made redundant and got JSA for 6 months.
Now I get nothing at all.

[10 Pence Short]

hoathenfold said:

Thanks all for your responses.
My redundancy was compulsory and i also thought i was going to get contribution based allowance.
I also thought this was available to everyone who had 'contributed'.
Maybe this isnt the case, but i will definately get my debts paid off straight away and then reapply.

You have more than £16k in the bank and expect sympathy because the state won't give you a handout?

For f*cks sake, you seem no better than the scroungers who have no intention of working.

[AngryApples]

odyssey2200 said:

I have house, mortgage, 3 kids and the usual debts/ outgoings.


I got made redundant and got JSA for 6 months.
Now I get nothing at all.

WTF?


I think you and the OP need to speak to CAB

If both your situations are in fact correct I for one think thats absolutely fking scandalous

WTF is wrong with this country



ETA: dont start giving answers to that last Q, you'll bring the server down

[hoathenfold]

to 10p short, thats not what i actually said.
i simply wondered why those that pay into the system are entitled to nothing and asked for the opinions of others.
i dont recall asking for any sympathy at all so get your facts right before you kick off.