Anyone been on a joint JSA and switched to Income support?

[OwlBump]

Hi, I'm just looking for abit of help i called the JC earlier to ask about mine and OH's joint JSA claim but they just pointed me to their website

My EDD is on 4th June and i've been told i can sign off on 20th March. My next sign on is 12th and i've been told they probably won't see me again after that and to get switched on to Income support but no one knew how it worked?

How do i switch over? and will it affect my OH's claim?

Any help at all will be greatly appreciated

 

[SmartieMeUp]

You can put in a joint claim for IS from 26 weeks, but your partner will have to claim for you as he's the one capable of working thereafter. It'll more than likely be discussed on your sign off appointment and forms will be filled out then but won't be able to be processed until 20th march.

Nothing else would be affected other than neither of you are or will be actively looking for work until 4 weeks (I think) after your child is born. Which then your OH will be claiming JSA for you. Your money may be delayed for the standard time as it's a whole new claim to go through xx

 

[OwlBump]

Oh right! Thank you, So my OH will come onto my IS instead of JSA when i sign off? No one has mentioned that to me, i'll be sure to ask more about that.

Again thanks so much

 

[Stacey_Ann]

2 options, you can either claim IS on behalf of you and your OH.

You as the main claimant, your OH as a dependant.
I left the JC last year so I forget how long you can claim it for, I think it's up until your babies 4 weeks old. This a couple claim.

After this time your OH would need to submit a new claim for JSA (not a rapid reclaim as having a baby is a change of circs), him as the main claimant, you as a dependant.
He would be responsible for the claim, actively seek work etc.
This would also be a couple claim.

OR

You can sign change your JSA joint claim to a couple claim as you're within 11 weeks of your EWC, again your oh would be the main claimant, you as the dependant, he would be looking for work etc.

There's no difference in the amount of money, so personally, I'd say it's easier to just amend your JSA claim with a change of circs then go through the rigmarole if closing your joint JSA claim, claiming is as a couple then having to close your is claim and claim JSA as a couple.

Xx

 

[OwlBump]

Thanks Stacey-Ann , seems like be being made dependant on OH's JSA will be more streamlined, Any idea how i'd go about that? I assume i just have to show my mat B1 at some point and they change my status on the claim?

 

[Stacey_Ann]

Do you both gave the same sign on time/date?

I'd take your matb1 as yes they'll need to take that as proof, the same as my employer taking mine when I get to that stage and say you'd like to make yourself unavailable for work, they will either do it electronically for you and send the handover of details to the benefit delivery centre or they'll ask you to call the JSA enquiry number and you'll tell them over the phone and they'll explain what will happen/what to send.

There may well still be some sort of delay with your payment whilst they sort it but still to my mind it's simpler than chopping and changing your benefits.

You will also be able to access the JC partner support when you are ready to look for work again x