Want to Claim Jobseekers Benefit, Been forced to do Jobseekers Allowance Means test

mmc272

Can they force me to do the means test for Jobseeker's Allowance even though I don't want it and ticked in the form I don't want it? They are quite insistent they have to do it.
I already know I'm 80 better off on JSB. I feel they don't need to know my business unless I'm applying for a means tested payment.

BaaLamb

mmc272 wrote: »

Can they force me to do the means test for Jobseeker's Allowance even though I don't want it and ticked in the form I don't want it? They are quite insistent they have to do it.
I already know I'm 80 better off on JSB. I feel they don't need to know my business unless I'm applying for a means tested payment.

I don't know if they can "force" you but perhaps you don't qualify for JSB and that why they going for JSA? How could you be 80 better off on JSB if you don't mind me asking? I thought payments were same amount no?

RossieMan

They have to know your business to know you're eligible.

Annasopra

mmc272 wrote: »

Can they force me to do the means test for Jobseeker's Allowance even though I don't want it and ticked in the form I don't want it? They are quite insistent they have to do it.
I already know I'm 80 better off on JSB. I feel they don't need to know my business unless I'm applying for a means tested payment.

If you are not eligible then of course they will see what you can get

mmc272

I have my home which I own rented out. The value of the home will be assessed as means for JSA, hence the 80 less.

I do qualify for JSB.

I'm just wondering when it asks on the form if I want to apply for JSA and I say no, then why they would need to know.

"Do you wish to apply for optional Jobseeker s Allowance if
you do not qualify for the full rate of Jobseeker s Benefit"

I have just been laid off last week, and have a new job starting 28th September. So will only be for a short 6 weeks period. If it happened that I was still unemployed when JSB runs out then I would submit the information

BaaLamb

Aaaah I get you now. I don't see why they should assess you for JSA if you qualify for JSB and you've said you don't want to be assessed for JSA. I'm very pleased that you have a new job lined up. I was also laid off recently and unfortunately I've had no success with new work. Best of luck.

FloatingVoter

Why do they ask on the form...? It's a form.
Just tick "No"

The form was not designed for you alone. Plenty of people are borderline JB and get a phone call saying "drop in the bank statements, parents payslips etc."

And the letter you got was probably because your are soon to Benefit Expire and therefore need to be assessed for JA. Going by your maths - are you under 26 ?

mmc272

FloatingVoter wrote: »

Why do they ask on the form...? It's a form.
Just tick "No"

The form was not designed for you alone. Plenty of people are borderline JB and get a phone call saying "drop in the bank statements, parents payslips etc."

And the letter you got was probably because your are soon to Benefit Expire and therefore need to be assessed for JA. Going by your maths - are you under 26 ?

I am over 26. My home is valued at 62500. The means for this is 80 I think.
My point was why does it ask you on the form do you want to apply for optional Jobseeker's Allowance when they disregard your answer anyways and continue with a means test.

FloatingVoter

Truth is it's a rarely read part of the UP1. Assuming you only applied for JB you wouldn't have submitted bank statements nor property details etc. Just the p45 / letter from employer, proof of address, evidence of genuinely seeking work.

Normally people split fairly easily in an Intreo office on a non-busy day.

Shedloads of cons over the last few years (including 2014 the all important governing year this year)....straight to Jb unless the earning are under 300 p/w.
No cons or very few....straight JA...bank statements needed, maybe parental means too, depending on age.

Then the middle ground, maybe the earning are low, graduated JB or full JA.
Your average 19 year old with the cons will go for graduated and wind up with 147 p/w as opposed to the 26 year old with few contributions who'll take the means test. That'll be listed as grad JB/JA on the appointment schedule and they'll ask you to bring in the full JA list. On the day, opt for JB or nothing at all.

Either way, ring them..ask why you don't get benefit, and refuse the means test. That is your right.