Am I eligible to claim Job Seeker's Allowance if I quit my job?

[Harry79]

I am really stressed in my job. I have been looking for a new job for some time but have had no luck so far. I really don't feel that I can continue where I am but am worried that I won't be able to claim any Job Seeker's Allowance if I have chosen to leave full time employment. Can you help?

[THECORBYLOON]

There are sanctions for various reasons but none are for more than twenty-six weeks. Trust me, the Jobcentre clerk has no power to impose a sanction on a JSA claim, they refer cases for a decision, so they can start the process but they are not the ones who decide on whether a sanction should be imposed.

[bushbaby_de]

Hi TheCorbyLoon,

She left her job voluntarily (she was being bullied so walked out) and tried to claim JSA but was told she wouldn't receive any payments for 6 months. She never actually received any money because the week she was finally allowed some money she was unable to sign on as she was away from home for my wedding - so they told her she's have to wait another 6 months! Luckily she found another job before then.

[THECORBYLOON]

If the advice was given by the Jobcentre she should put in a letter stating exactly what had been said about when she could make a claim as she can claim mis-direction. If mis-direction is proven, they would then need to look into the reasons why the employment had ended. With regard to having to wait ANOTHER six months, that is completely wrong too!

[bushbaby_de]

I thought it sounded harsh but she was so upset (and so annoyed with herself/the situation) that she wouldn't really talk about it or let anyone else get involved. In a way I'm relieved that she shouldn't have been treated like that as it seemed such a rubbish 'system' - and yes, this was at a Job Centre.

[factor-fiction]

Bushbaby- maybe your sister hadn't paid enough NI contibutions to get Contribution Based JSA and maybe for some reason she didn't qualify for income based JSA. There could be other reasons too. Or maybe there is/was a misunderstanding