Jobseeker's Allowance

[tell-me-more]

I was suddenly made redundant 24 hours before I was due to leave the country on annual leave. The flights were very expensive and non-refundable, so I still went away for a couple of weeks although it was not annual leave any more

In the 24 hours, apart from the stuff I had to do for my trip, I also managed to get a few contacts of people who could help me find a job and write a new CV but I didn't apply for anything as I knew I was going to be away.

As my trip was in midweek, I effectively lost 3 weeks, and have only just found temporary work for 3 hours a day.

I've now been told that I can't claim benefits for the 2 weeks I was out of the country, nor can I claim if I work 16 hours per week or more, regardless of how much I earn.

Do you think this is fair? I've never claimed any sort of benefit before, but at the moment I could really do with it as the redundancy came at a particularly bad time.

[Ethel]

To claim JSA you must be actively seeking work and available for work, which you obviously wasn't applicable whilst you were on holiday.

If you work more than 16 hours you curtail your ability to take full time work, or look for work and attend interviews.

[tell-me-more]

I was seeking work as much as anyone can in that situation.

I was available for employment subject to being allowed to take annual leave of 10 days.

Apparently I have to do 3 things every two weeks (which I think is ridiculously low) and I'd done at least three on the day I got made redundant.

[Jules001]

When my son was making a claim for JSA, he went on a weeks residental course to try and improve his qualifications, unfortunately his fortnightly appointment at Job Centre was during this week, he told them he wouldn't be available for the appointment, but they told him to keep the date in case something happened and he could make it. What they didn't tell him though was because he didn't keep the appointment, they cancelled his claim altogether and he missed out on 5 weeks of payment and had to start the application process all over again, so be careful as they don't always tell you what you need to know - how other people find out how to work the system I'll never know. We as a family have never claimed any benefits other than Child Benefit and my son could have used the small amount they were paying to help with travel expenses for interviews and postage on the applications he was making. He really did want to work and was trying very hard to find a job. Hope you are able to find permanent work soon or at least get the JSA sorted.

[tell-me-more]

Thanks. Similarly no-one from my family has ever claimed benefit before other than child benefit. I too want to work, but the system does seem unfair to those of us who want to work.

I will start work on Monday but I think I will just about touch the threshold of 16 hours and be penalised for working.

[THECORBYLOON]

All benefits have conditions and JSA is no different. You are mistaken about needing to take only three steps to find work each fortnight. It's three steps each week unless taking one or two steps is all that it is reasonable for you to do in that week.

[tell-me-more]

Well I'm glad that what's reasonable is taken into consideration. First I've heard of it. Was I supposed to cancel my trip to stay at home and find work that would earn me less than the cost of the flights?

[THECORBYLOON]

As you had paid for the holiday that's money you did not have, regardless of whether you went or no. Had you stayed at home and claimed JSA, you'd have had extra dosh in yir pocket.

[buildersmate]

The above comments JSA are very valid - but my comment is about the redundancy itself because there are some strange factors about what you say.
If you were made redundant (as defined in the legislation) then you must have had minimum two years service. If you had at 2 yrs service, your employer (under statutory law - assuming nothing in your contract to give you a greater notice length) would have had to give you 1 weeks notice for each complete year of service - so at least 2 weeks notice.
But does not square with what you say happened in the 24 hours beforehand. If the employer did not give you the required notice, you were entitled to pay in lieu of notice as well as redundancy money - and in that event, you could not have claimed JSA anyway until the notice period ran out.

Secondly I do not understand the comment 'it was not annual leave anymore'. If it was not, then you were entitled to the outstanding holiday pay accrued at the date of your serverance.

[tell-me-more]

Thanks for your comment Buildersmate.

In the letter I received, I was advised that "(my) employment with the Company is terminated with effect from 22 October 2008 because of redundancy." but I only started on 29 January 2007, so less than 2 years.

[tell-me-more]

I am in a confusing circle because according to the literature I was given, I can't claim for compensatory notice pay unless I've already claimed all the benefits I'm entitled to.

Very confusing!