My wife was made redundant 3 months ago and has been claiming Job Seekers Allowance (£242 per month) - which I understand is paid for the first 6 months of unemployment and is not means tested - she has been working all her working life and has paid her full NI contributions

What happens after this time - assuming that she is still without employment - which, unfortunately looks likely - she has tried from day one but has been rejected at all attempts

Considering that I earn just less than the average pay (according to government figures) - would I be correct in thinking that we can take a "running jump" - or will she be entitled to any dole money ?

Good afternoon Twee,

Sorry to hear of your circumstances and I hope good news comes shortly. I'm no expert but I believe that if your wife , after 6 months, of actively seeking employment is unnsucessful she will go back to the job centre for a new deal interview a reassessment of what they/she can do next. Did she get any redundancy money? Have you any savings? as this may affect any future benefits you may receive. If you are unsure the jobcentre plus website has futher information. I do hope you have sucess and I can only wish more experts come to your assistance shortly.

Regards,

Paul

She received the minimum payment that the law allows the company to give her (a weeks for every year that she had been with the company) - 5 weeks
As for savings - I have a few thousand - yes (invested in ISA's) - but we also have a mortgage to pay - so don't feel that they can use this to refuse her any payments ....

What a bizarre question!

Are you not paying enough taxes as it is? I take it you want to increase your national insurance contributions, increase your fuel tax, increase your income tax, increase VAT etcetera so that you can give money to everyone else's unemployed spouses? Or do you think just the rest of us should have our taxes increased because you don't want to support your partner?

Six months unemployment benefit is far too long - it should be reduced to six or eight weeks.

This is not a bizarre question - it is a serious enquiry to see whether my wife (who has been paying NI all her working life and is entitled to claim what is rightfully hers - if she is unlucky enough not to be able to find emplyment in the next 3 months) is going to be able to make a claim - as for your comment at the end - have you ever been unemployed and unable to find any work ?

And I never mentioned not wanting to support my partner - I am simply trying to find out her ENTITLEMENT

The contributions your partner and you have paid last for six months.

You and your partner may be able to receive working tax credit and housing and council benefits. But if you and your partner earn more than £17400 or have savings over £6000 then you are likely to be deemed too rich. Of course, unfortunately, if you have children the system is more generous.

You have not said why you want to pay higher taxes to support ladies who lunch.

Hi Twee, it sounds as if your wife is claiming contribution based jobseekers allowance, this entitle's her to 182 day of benefit, after that she can apply for income based jobseekers allowance by filling in a JSA3 form. But i hate to say if your in fulltime work then it will probably be turned down as its a means tested benefit. All the best to your wife in the job hunt.

Shiverkitten - I have not said that I want to support anyone else except for my wife......

shiverkitten:What a bizarre question! Are you not paying enough taxes as it is? I take it you want to increase your national insurance contributions, increase your fuel tax, increase your income tax, increase VAT etcetera so that you can give money to everyone else's unemployed spouses? Or do you think just the rest of us should have our taxes increased because you don't want to support your partner? Six months unemployment benefit is far too long - it should be reduced to six or eight weeks.

How horrid are you with this response. Nasty troll! I was searching the web for an answer to a very similar question to the original poster and came accross your nastiness. Thank goodness for the other posters on here.

Horrid little person - hope you feel good about yourself.

It's the attitude of people like shiverkitten that demean our society. Twee and his wife have paid national insurance contributions, and taxes, in order that they receive entitlement to benefits if they fall on hard times, i.e now. This happens to everyone at sometime in their lives and the community should support people in these circumstances. Unfortunately shiverkitten is in our community and I fight long and hard against people with greedy selfish opinions like that.... rant over!

Your wife is receiving JSA (contribution based) for 6 months, after that your income is also taken into account and that probably rules out means tested benefits JSA income based as a couple, or Income Support as I take it you work over 24 hours a week.

If you work over 30 hours a week claim Working Tax Credit straight away. I can't promise anything but generally that's your best bet from the facts you have disclosed. You don't mention kids but obviously Child Tax Credit would be applicable.

Ooops, almost forgot, if you rent claim housing benefit and council tax benefit from your council

Good luck.

Thanks - All (apart from icy cat) - my wife found herself another job so the question is now redundant

My heart goes out to you, I have to apply for contribution job seekers allowance and I don't know if I will be entittled to job seekers allowance, my husband is disabled and receives incapacity benefits, and we are running out of money, I have an interview for a very good paying job , so I am chanting a lot, I am a Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist it is about cause and effect from time without beginning, karma(thought, action and deed) the Lotus Sutra best English version is by Burton Watson, it has 28 chapters the 2nd and 16th chapter is the heart of it. All I can say I must have no doubt faith in this practice after all I made the cause to be in this situation, I am not a bad person, I have to change all my negativity, but I am sure that things will turn around as along as I put the Lotus Sutra in my life without any other teachings.