I've been unemployed since just before Christmas, and have so far not signed on - it's something I would like to avoid if possible. I have some saving, and although I realise they won't last, I think I will be okay for quite a while (I live at home with my parents so I don't have any major outgoings). However, my mum said something about by not signing on, I wouldn't be collecting my National Insurance stamp and I would be losing out.
2007-01-08 21:45:07 · 15 answers · asked by Kirsty 7 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
I believe that you may register as unemployed but not make a benefit claim. This would be a fair compromise, neither taking nor giving.
Good luck getting a decent job ASAP.
2007-01-08 22:00:26 · answer #1 · answered by Clive 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your savings are below £3000.00 you can sign on for and receive Jobseekers Benefit (JSA). Your savings will not be taken into account.
If your savings are between £3000.00 - £8000.00 you are still entitled to JSA but the amount you will be entitled to will be reduced by £1.00 per £250.00 between these figures, eg: if you have savings of £5000.00, JSA will be reduced by £8.00 per week.
On making an initial claim for JSA the claim form will ask if you wish to claim "Contribution Based" or "Income Based" JSA, or both. Make a claim for both. If you have made enough National Insurance Contributions over a specific period you will be entitled to Contribution Based JSA for up to 6 months and your savings will not be taken into account, regardless of the amount.
If you do not sign on, National Insurance Credits will not be made and your National Insurance record will be incomplete. Realistically this will make no difference to the amount of State Registered Pension (SRP) you will receive at retirement, women can take a break of about 14 years from making National Insurance Contributions without losing full SRP entitlement. Further, you can make voluntary contributions for a maximum of 6 years if you are concerned that your record will not be complete.
There is no shame in claiming benefit you are entitled to, but the decision is for you to make. I hope the above information is of some use to you.
2007-01-09 07:29:06 · answer #2 · answered by paul h 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was unemployed for the best part of a year. I used my savings at first, and then when they were close to running out (I was down to my last £100) I signed on. I was only claiming benefits for 3 months before I got a job.
2007-01-09 06:53:13 · answer #3 · answered by k 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your mum is quite right; I made my son and daughter sign on when they found themselves out of work even though it was only for a couple of weeks. The weeks you are not employed or signing on your National insurance contributions are not covered. This can affect sickness pay in case of an industrial accident when you do resume work and in the long term can affect your future pension rights. I know when you are young that does not seem to matter but it will do in later years. Tell the absolute truth when you apply and see what you are entitled to; as long as you are genuinly looking for a job there is no shame in it.
2007-01-09 05:57:49 · answer #4 · answered by D B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you're unemployed and not signed on you will have a gap in your national insurance stamp.... you'll have to make it up in the future, as the government's figures are based on you working, or being a student from the age of 16 - 60, thus any gaps will have to be accounted for.
so it is worth signing on, if just for that... although it won't cost much to make up the missing period... but if you've been working, then you've paid into the system and thus you should claim what you're entitled too... although it isn't the best experience signing on... it will speed up your job search, trust me on that one!
have a search on the inland revenue website, there should be plenty of information there as well as jobseekers.. etc...
good luck!
2007-01-09 05:59:25 · answer #5 · answered by muppet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to sign on at least to have your pension and national insurance contributions paid or your money will be dramatically reduced when you come to pension age, You may be young and not care about that now but It does make a huge difference having a gap in your contributions
Its not like your a doley your just signing on to have these payments sorted thats all.
2007-01-09 05:52:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
whoever thinks you are a snob is woefully stupid...
If you think it won't be long before you get a job, then I would say don't bother. The amount of time it took to get any money when i signed on in the early 90s was about 4 weeks, they will offer you emergency loans but as I said, if you can get by without them I would advise it.
Having said that, as a UK citizen you are just as entitled to sign on as anyone else. It's a shame more people don't have your attitude to it rather than just expecting it as their god-given right, sitting on their arses and milking the country dry while criticising those who actually want to go and get a job!
Good Luck, whatever you do.
2007-01-09 05:56:55 · answer #7 · answered by baldersj 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
you are entitled to claim benefit and it is embarrasing when you walk in there for the first time but what an insentive to find work quicker. you might as well claim what you can and not use your savings and collect your stamp at the same time as it counts towards your pension in later life thats if its still about.
2007-01-09 05:57:28 · answer #8 · answered by Snot Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
National Insurance Stamp? Sheesh, you've got it easy. In the States we have something called COBRA, but you have to pay 100% of the cost of insurance, so it's useless.
2007-01-09 05:49:42 · answer #9 · answered by Chuck Dhue 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can sign on but not claim benefits. That way your stamp is covered xxx
2007-01-09 05:53:38 · answer #10 · answered by starlet108 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋