redundancy agreement wording regarding JSA etc.

[shirt]

Inevitably this will be moved to the right forum but I need a quick answer.

I am taking voluntary redundancy. I haven't signed anything YET but am under pressure to do so by Friday unless I intend to appeal [99.99% unlikely]. The reason I haven't signed already is that HR's 'advice' regarding JSA, mortgage interest support etc. was laughable and I wanted it from the horses mouth.

I have just got off the phone to someone at the DWP, and had asked whether taking VR would affect any claims I make. The best he could say was that the reason why I took it would be looked at and a decision made based on that whether I am eligible. He couldn't give any examples or guidelines.

Now, the JSA in itself is going to help but I am only really concerned with whether I will find myself 6mths down the line out of work, out of money and not eligible for mortgage interest support.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or otherwise able to provide sound advice? I was told that having the VR letter worded to say that I am 'volunteering for compulsory redundancy', and not 'taking voluntary redundancy' might help.

I would have hoped the DWP would be on the ball, why is everything to do with the gubbermint like pulling teeth?

cheers, oxo, mx5 and all that.
Shirt.

[BIGDAI]

Can't help with info on morgage interest support etc but I took voluntary redundancy about 6 years ago & got JSA immediately.

On the paperwork that asks why you left your last employment just put "redundancy" - it's the truth just not necessarily the whole truth.

To reassure yourself further you might want to ask HR what the wording on their letter to you will say - mine just said I was being made redundant - not mention of voluntary.

Good luck.

[RizzoTheRat]

Same here. We had an "expression of wish" to determine who wouldn't object to being made compulsarily redundant. Had I taken voluntary redundancy rather than being made compulsarily redundant my insurance company wouldn't now be paying my mortgage for me, however I believe I would have still been entitled to the £65/week contribution based JSA. No idea on other benefits though as I'm not claiming them.

[shirt]

BIGDAI said:

On the paperwork that asks why you left your last employment just put "redundancy" - it's the truth just not necessarily the whole truth.

i was wondering whethet i could do that. does anyone ask to see the letter from your employer at any point?

i've seen the letter, it refers to an earlier one and says that my request for VR has been accepted etc.

[BIGDAI]

I asked for the letter to be worded that way in case anyone wanted to see it bu no-one did.

[shirt]

BIGDAI said:

I asked for the letter to be worded that way in case anyone wanted to see it bu no-one did.

would you mind saying what you had them write? PM me if you prefer. i need to put my concerns in writing this aft. and the wording of the letter is one of them.