Been refused benefit

[tigwig]

My hubby has been unemployed for over a month now and we have just found out that he is not going to be entitled to Jobseekers Allowance for 2 reasons. The first one being as he was previously self employed they say he has not paid enough NI contributions. The 2nd reason is I earn too much money working 2 days a week as a nursery nurse which does not pay well. I think this is disgusting. We have both worked and paid tax and NI all our working life. Our mortgage is nearly �800 a month and council tax is �120. If it wasn't for our parents helping us out we would be screwed and they can't keep giving us money for ever. He is trying his best to get a job and no one is interested. He can't even get work in a factory because they only want immigrants! How come we can't claim anything yet people who come over from other countries get everything? If we appeal is it likely to make any difference? Is there anything else we could do like involving the local press/MP?

[Ethel]

Self employed NI contributions do not entitle a person to JSA and you are earning above the threshold for income-based JSA.

Is there any reason why you can't work more hours, or your husband taking any work going - has he registered with all the agencies, for example?

If you can't afford your outgoings you may have to think about selling the house and buying something cheaper or renting.
I live in the West Midlands - my neighbour was made redundant last month and started a new factory job within a fortnight, so don't give up hope. He's not an immigrant, by the way

[retrochoir]

It's a great safety net we have in this country. Sorry to hear about your problems.

[tigwig]

I can't work any extra at the moment and he is trying to get a job doing anything. He has applied for loads and loads but no one gets back to him. I just can't take anymore of this **** life throws at us. I am sick to death of this country. When the money runs out from our parents we will end up on the street maybe thats what this government wants people to end up like. We can't even sell the house either it has a huge building site at the end of the garden and to let it go we would have to do so at a loss probably and not end up saving anything else on a new mortgage

[wilkays]

dont blame the immigrants they are doing the job yo husband doesnot like doing . there are alot of agences that employ contract and temporary work why doesnt he get off his back side and go hunt for jobs. if yu are in big trouble as yu put it why dont yu do more days a friend of mine is also a nursery nurse works definitly more than 2 days a week. Remember the immigrants are also working and contributing to the benefits yu are crying for

[Jillius]

I know how you feel tigwig ! It makes my blood boil that people who have worked hard all their lives get no help whatsoever when they fall on hard times but lazy bast*rds that have never done a days work in their lives get given everything. I don't know what to suggest but I feel very sorry for you.

[tigwig]

Jillius thank you for your support. wilkays the reason I blame the immigrants is because they actually get benefits when needed. You should see how many there is signing on in the job centre! They are all on very friendly terms with the staff I have witnessed it myself, shows how long they have been going there. I don't think you quite have the right to tell my hubby to get off his backside he drives around, phones people and looks on the internet for hours a day trying to find something. There may well be plenty of employment agencies out there but not one of them has got back to him. As for me working more hours I can't as they don't need the extra staff and I am contracted to 2 days. I am registering as a childminder so hopefully I will soon be able to work full time.

[Ethel]

tigwig - you can get another part time job as well as your 2 days in the nursery.
Supermarkets are taking on lots of staff at the moment- not a fabby job, but useful when you need money.

Keep at it, things will get better

[sara3]

I must say, if hubby wasn't paying enough NI to cover basic benefits you really should have been insured for a situation like this.

you could appeal, but the rules are pretty basic with benefits so, unless they misunderstood the information your hubby provided, you won't win an appeal.

I suggest you find out about whether you can get help with your Council Tax though your Local Authority, and see if your mortgage provider can offer any temporary help.

best of luck.

[clawrence251]

I also know how you feel tigwig being on Incapacity benefit of �84.50 per week after working for 35 years and people like wilkays are no help whatsoever. If you can't give sensible advice or have never been in the same position you don't know what you are talking about.

I too do know how much help immigrants receive. Why should we struggle after paying tax and national insurance for 35 years and they can just walk into this country and claim benefits.

It is also hard to get work after 45 years of age. People prefer to pay youngsters or immigrants because they don't have to pay them so much.

I have just got off the phone from a credit agency chasing a debt and have been in tears as I cannot pay. I daren't answer the phone these days or answer the door in case it is the bailiffs. It's not that I don't want to work I just can't at the moment because of illness.

Good luck to you and your husband. I hope things improve soon.

Cjay

[bednobs]

"and they can just walk into this country and claim benefits"
if you went to their country, you could also claim benefits though.
I dont really understand how people can moan about immigrants getting all the work And claiming unemployment benefits in the same post!

[wilkays]

Good on yu bednof . Like what ethel sai if yo hubby was not contributing enough NI why would yu expect to get other people's contributions.. I am talking from experience i know that if if i need money i need to go and work so i do like i said chase the agences around even if they are giving yo less as long as is above the minimun pay the pennies add up so why choose when yu are a begger????????

[luxury]

Hi Tigwig,

Firstly, when he was self employed was he paying class 2?

If he pays the shortfall for the 'not enough NIC' will he then be entitled to JSA? ask them.

Call the NIC and see what the shortfall is and the yrs it was short.

What does your husband do btw?

Plese don't get stressed because it will make you ill.... although if you both end up sick???? income support....... :)

Good Luck.

[weecalf]

Who makes the rules .Some well paid jobs worth .People who worked for small wages onl y did that to go out to work because they wanted to earn and to scrape some sort of living and not living on hand outs .Now when things have gone against them where does the help come from .Some one said why should low paid workers be paid out of money paid b bigger earners .So people who did damn all are more entitled to a whack of this money . Is not by they own fault that peole who worked for buttons now find them selves in dificulties by loss of job or through sickness.All these benefits are supposed to means tested then surely the authors case should be examined and help should be granted .

[bednobs]

BTW my post was not aimed at you TW, i hope things work out for you soon!

[THECORBYLOON]

I can assure you that immigrants do not get everything. As for immigrants being on friendly terms wi the staff in the Jobcentre is that such a crime? Why do you think they are friendly, only because they have been unemployed for so long?

You mump about immigrants getting jobs and then mump about them getting benefits when they're unemployed. You can't have it both ways you know.

If yir husband has been self-employed previously, why can he not return to being self-employed?

[tigwig]

Erm because he's a bricklayer and can't find work for love nor money!

[luxury]

Hi Tigwig,

I really hope he finds work soon.
As I pointed out, find out what the shortfall is and whether paying it will get him JSA.

There is another problem with not enough NIC and it's your state pension. Get a forecast and get in contact with NIC.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nic/

I know pensions are forever away but if you're short???? you won't get a state pension either.

Also, if your husband became ill he wouldn't be entitled to incapacity and it would all fall on our shoulders.

Don't give up!!!!

L. xxx

[tigwig]

Thank you luxury.