Now redundant-is there such a thing as signing on?

[Steviesam]

Now finished work (although I dont officially finish until 31st Oct).

In the old days, I think you used to sign on in order to get NI paid.

Is that still what you do? Or shall I not bother? I am intending to get a job faitly quickly, but just in case, I wondered if I should "sign on"?

Not been in this position before.

Thanks

[bucksmanuk]

You must sign on. Your NI history has to be complete.
Be prepared to enter a very different part of life….

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

just be careful about signing on if you don't really have to.

I.e you have a bit of savings, redundancy money and think you can get a job quite quickly.

Any JSA you 'earn' you will have to pay back once you get a job. It screws your taxable allowances for some time and for the pittance that it is, is not really worth it. However if you rent, have dependents and were definitely made redundant then signing on can give you some other benefits like housing allowance,

In summary I wouldn't bother.

[Taita]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

just be careful about signing on if you don't really have to.

I.e you have a bit of savings, redundancy money and think you can get a job quite quickly.

Any JSA you 'earn' you will have to pay back once you get a job. It screws your taxable allowances for some time and for the pittance that it is, is not really worth it. However if you rent, have dependents and were definitely made redundant then signing on can give you some other benefits like housing allowance,

In summary I wouldn't bother.

That's the first I've heard of that, do you have a link? Not doubting you, just seems the exact opposite of what JSA is for?!

[Steviesam]

Thanks. Definitely redundant.

But no rent or mortgage and no kids, I can survive for while.

Thanks

[Roo]

If you're in an area that has already rolled out universal credit then don't bother.

Having jumped through all the hoops I was entitled £10 a week.

For that you have to go and sign on, prove you've been applying for jobs and get spoken to like a 12 year old.

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

Taita said:

That's the first I've heard of that, do you have a link? Not doubting you, just seems the exact opposite of what JSA is for?!

I have first hand experience about 5 years ago. If you are perennially unemployed, or as Kevin Bridges would say ' as unemployed as fk' then you'll never be paying anything back, and if you are in a min wage job you won't be either. But otherwise you pay it back if you are a proper wage earning person.

[RammyMP]

You don’t have to pay JSA back, you’ll get taxed on it when you go back to work. If you’re paid up until the 31st October sign on after that. If you’re going back to work near enough straight away I wouldn’t bother signing on, it’s soul destroying and a lot of hassle for what it’s worth.

[toastyhamster]

FWIW I was made redundant in Sept, employment ended 9th Oct and I haven't bothered signing on. Paid til end of Dec and highly likely (hopefully anyway), to have a job offer in the next couple of weeks. Just couldn't be bothered with the hassle, bus fare/parking would be more than I'd get back, never mind the tax hassle.

[CoupeKid]

I was "let go" in January and didn't sign on until abut May. I didn't think it was worth it and thought they would want me to apply for any old job to get me off their books.

In the end they were very nice as they could see that I was serious about working, had a decent CV and was applying.

I was awarded a very basic JSA which was little more than coffee money (not even beer money at today's prices!) but their approach was very light touch and we only went through the motions. They only get heavy on you if you are taking the ps and trying to live on the dole. If you are obviously trying to get a job then they'll offer help but let you get on with it.