Redundancy and Job Seekers Allowance
Discussion
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do you think the woman in the paper last week with the 7 kids needed the £2m pound house to live in at our expense? and the additonal £3000 a month in benefits?
She hadnt contributed anything, the 7 kids were a lifestyle choice, and the home furnishings in the newspaper picture were a lot nicer than most peoples.
I simply wondered what others thought of this, and I respect your opinion.
What I guess most of us would like is the entire system to looked at.
She hadnt contributed anything, the 7 kids were a lifestyle choice, and the home furnishings in the newspaper picture were a lot nicer than most peoples.
I simply wondered what others thought of this, and I respect your opinion.
What I guess most of us would like is the entire system to looked at.
When i went to sign on it was for the NI 'stamp'.
It was the people ar the Job centre that told me I would get the contribution based allowance of £60.
It just seems bizarre that if you have contributed, you then dont get it at all.
I must have contributed a good few hundred thousands in tax and NI over the last 10 years!
It was the people ar the Job centre that told me I would get the contribution based allowance of £60.
It just seems bizarre that if you have contributed, you then dont get it at all.
I must have contributed a good few hundred thousands in tax and NI over the last 10 years!
On the basis that the total I would get in Cont based job seekers allowance (which I only get for 6 months) would total less than a single months taxes and NI paid from my salary when I was working, I just think its a bit petty considering the tens of thousands i have paid in. Its hardly like Im asking them for thousands is it?
(and for the record i was completely honest when completing the application forms so its not like i was trying to fiddle it!)
And it doesnt send a good message those hard working, honest and lawabiding among us.
Non Contributor gets £150,000 a year.
Contributor gets £0 (and would only get about £1500 total if I did qualify)
Not exactly a good message is it?
(and for the record i was completely honest when completing the application forms so its not like i was trying to fiddle it!)
And it doesnt send a good message those hard working, honest and lawabiding among us.
Non Contributor gets £150,000 a year.
Contributor gets £0 (and would only get about £1500 total if I did qualify)
Not exactly a good message is it?
Do you believe that all of the benefits only go to people who have nothing?
Ive seen have plenty of people round here who contributed nothing but have a much better standard of living than me and no work at all - ever.
And as for me being a scrounger - well Ive never taken a penny from the state and wont be getting any this time either so not sure how i qualify for that title.
As a contributor however, Im certainly guilty of that title.
Ive seen have plenty of people round here who contributed nothing but have a much better standard of living than me and no work at all - ever.
And as for me being a scrounger - well Ive never taken a penny from the state and wont be getting any this time either so not sure how i qualify for that title.
As a contributor however, Im certainly guilty of that title.
Thanks all for your input.
Im not sure what all this outrage is about mind?
I was told to go and sign on for my stamp.
I wasnt 'expecting' anything.
I did and was told I would get JSA based on my contributions.
They then told me that I wouldnt.
So I asked for peoples opinions on this.
Maybe my comment re paying back some of the cash owed by me was a bit unsavoury, but there is a world of difference re this and going out to the pub everynight to get hammered.
It seems we have a real split of opinions on here on this so some good discussion!
I'm now actively looking for a new role and hopefully will be in one real soon so fingers crosssed.
Anyone looking for an ITIL Incindent/Problem/Service Desk Manager in London?
Cheers!
Im not sure what all this outrage is about mind?
I was told to go and sign on for my stamp.
I wasnt 'expecting' anything.
I did and was told I would get JSA based on my contributions.
They then told me that I wouldnt.
So I asked for peoples opinions on this.
Maybe my comment re paying back some of the cash owed by me was a bit unsavoury, but there is a world of difference re this and going out to the pub everynight to get hammered.
It seems we have a real split of opinions on here on this so some good discussion!
I'm now actively looking for a new role and hopefully will be in one real soon so fingers crosssed.
Anyone looking for an ITIL Incindent/Problem/Service Desk Manager in London?
Cheers!
King Herald said:
What we have here is another scrounger, with thousands in the bank, and STILL wanting to grab a few quid from the government!
Edited by King Herald on Sunday 19th October 13:22
All I wanted to know was if I was entitled to the Contribution Based Job Seekers Allowance? And if not why not?
I wasn't looking for sympathy, nor having my mortgage paid, or free dental/prescriptions etc, or thousand in dole money. Just the minimum basic allowance. No more.
I most certainly arent looking to have the rest of my life paid for by DSS payments!!
I've contributed all my life, have a redundancy package that will be gone in less than 8 months once my mortgage, bills, council tax etc have been taken, and the line of work that I do is one of the ones that has currently been hit the hardest. Im looking for work and will happily take a job.
A reduancy package isnt savings, or a lottery win - its compensation for the hard work you have put in over the years and then having the rug pulled out from under your feet, and payment to allow you to keep things going while you find a new job.
I chose to work since I was 16, have put some money aside in savings etc, dont smoke, only drink in moderation, only go out occasionally and can do without loads of gadgets, new phones etc. Yes, I've got a half decent motor and I worked bloody long hours and bloody hard to pay for it (and am still paying for it now!) If things dont get sorted in the next 4 months it will obviously have to go.
Anyhows, for all of you who think Im out of order, I was told to sign on, and I dont get anything so whats the issue?
And a big thanks for the support and good luck messages from everyone else - I really appreciate it!
Edited by hoathenfold on Monday 20th October 13:10
Edited by hoathenfold on Monday 20th October 13:12
King Herald said:
hoathenfold said:
King Herald said:
What we have here is another scrounger, with thousands in the bank, and STILL wanting to grab a few quid from the government!
Edited by King Herald on Sunday 19th October 13:22
All I wanted to know was if I was entitled to the Contribution Based Job Seekers Allowance? And if not why not?..
es draws. So, terribly sorry, but I originally thought you were referring to the fact that you could get nothing at all, as in no freebies, rather than nothing for JSA. Especially when you had a large redundancy payment to hand.
My very own sister deliberately spunked £15,000 divorce settlement up the wall, just so she could get below the social services minimum savings and start getting her free handouts and rent and all. THAT is something I find particularly sickening.
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