[Gilbert2]

I have been offered some work but it is on the same day as my monthly interview with my job seekers advisor...
as i am aware you are able to claim JSA if your working under 16 hours and if i accept it will be like 2 6 hours days for minimum wage.
Should i contact my advisory and see if he can arrange a new day for interview or will they look at this as obstructing my claim or anything?

After googling i see a lot of you here have been signed on, would appreciate any help. Cheers.

[paperclip]

They should be fine with it, and you should still get your dole as well. Give them a ring and let them know, only real way to know for sure

I have only been signed on for the second week today, so i am not speaking from personal experience, but they do seem reasonable enough.

[linkdapink]

I just went for a signing off interview today since I was getting less than 16 hours, but then I ended up with 24 hours, and they were really helpful, talked me through everything and were really nice. The man was really angry though that I hadn't claimed housing benefit, since I was perfectly entitled to, which I only didn't claim because the online form said I wasn't eligible. Just ring them up, tell them you have a few hours, and they'll sort you out.

[original_username]

Cash in hand and say you're ill on the day. It isn't worth the admin if its just a one off.

[River85]

(Original post by linkdapink)
I just went for a signing off interview today since I was getting less than 16 hours, but then I ended up with 24 hours, and they were really helpful, talked me through everything and were really nice. The man was really angry though that I hadn't claimed housing benefit, since I was perfectly entitled to, which I only didn't claim because the online form said I wasn't eligible. Just ring them up, tell them you have a few hours, and they'll sort you out.

If you were claiming income based jobseekers allowance you would usually be automatically entitled to maximum housing benefit/local housing allowance. It's a bit different in your case as, if you were working, then a certain amount of benefit would be take off depending on how much you were earning. But it's likely you would have been able to claim a certain amount, at least. You were also automatically entitled to free prescriptions, NHS dental treatment, and free eye tests (if you didn't know, just in case you need to sign on again in the future).

Contributions based JSA does not entitle the claimant to any of these things (automatically).

Always get advice from people, ideally Citizens Advice and online money/finance/benefits forums.

Now that you're working over 16 hours have you checked whether or not you're entitled to working tax credits? These are available for those working a certain number of hours a week. There's an online calculator here

http://taxcredits.hmrc.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx

Check with Citizen's Advice if you're in any doubt.

(Original post by original_username)
Cash in hand and say you're ill on the day. It isn't worth the admin if its just a one off.

Not worth the risk in my opinion. If found out they'll have no hesitation in placing a sanction and deducting benefit/closing the claim. Last year it came to light, by a whistleblower who informed the Guardian, that Jobcentre staff are secretely being given set targets. They must place sanctions on a certain number of people every week. They do this in lots of different ways, some possibly illegal, many certainly immoral, denying people the benefit they are entitled to. By doing work cash in hand, and not declaring it, that's just playing right into their hands.

My experience does suggest this is happening, either that or jobcentres are increasingly incompetent and too trigger happy to close claims. I recently claimed after graduating from university. In my interview I was informed verbally that my next appointment will be the 25th of July (this was also written on my appointment card and jobseekers agreement). Unfortunately, I was supposed to attend on the 11th but no one thought about informing me. I therefore turned up on the 25th to find my claim as been closed due to failure to sign on the 11th. Fortunately the jobcentre (eventually) recognised their mistake and it's being sorted. However, if I were the OP, I would do things by the book. That way, if a sanction is placed and an appeal needs to be made, he/she is in a better position.

This is the Guardian article

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/v...ulture-welfare

[linkdapink]

(Original post by River85)
If you were claiming income based jobseekers allowance you would usually be automatically entitled to maximum housing benefit/local housing allowance. It's a bit different in your case as, if you were working, then a certain amount of benefit would be take off depending on how much you were earning. But it's likely you would have been able to claim a certain amount, at least. You were also automatically entitled to free prescriptions, NHS dental treatment, and free eye tests (if you didn't know, just in case you need to sign on again in the future).

Contributions based JSA does not entitle the claimant to any of these things (automatically).

Always get advice from people, ideally Citizens Advice and online money/finance/benefits forums.

Now that you're working over 16 hours have you checked whether or not you're entitled to working tax credits? These are available for those working a certain number of hours a week, usually over 16 hours but under 30. There's an online calculator here

http://taxcredits.hmrc.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx

Check with Citizen's Advice if you're in any doubt.



Not worth the risk in my opinion. If found out they'll have no hesitation in placing a sanction and deducting benefit/closing the claim. Last year it came to light, by a whistleblower who informed the Guardian, that Jobcentre staff are secretely being given set targets. They must place sanctions on a certain number of people every week. They do this in lots of different ways, some possibly illegal, many certainly immoral, denying people the benefit they are entitled to. By doing work cash in hand, and not declaring it, that's just playing right into their hands.

My experience does suggest this is happening, either that or jobcentres are increasingly incompetent and too trigger happy to close claims. I recently claimed after graduating from university. In my interview I was informed verbally that my next appointment will be the 25th of July (this was also written on my appointment card and jobseekers agreement). Unfortunately, I was supposed to attend on the 11th but no one thought about informing me. I therefore turned up on the 25th to find my claim as been closed due to failure to sign on the 11th. Fortunately the jobcentre (eventually) recognised their mistake and it's being sorted. However, if I were the OP, I would do things by the book. That way, if a sanction is placed and an appeal needs to be made, he/she is in a better position.

This is the Guardian article

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/v...ulture-welfare

Thanks for the help I'm working part time for 3 weeks, then full time, so probably won't be entitled to working tax credits. Just thought I'd ask in case you know, I haven't been paid yet, but now I'm starting work... will I still get the back-dated pay?

[River85]

(Original post by linkdapink)
Thanks for the help I'm working part time for 3 weeks, then full time, so probably won't be entitled to working tax credits. Just thought I'd ask in case you know, I haven't been paid yet, but now I'm starting work... will I still get the back-dated pay?

Sorry, I got my hours mixed up. I think the coalition government recently changed them.

A disabled adult (a person claiming disability living allowance, for example) needs to work at least 16 hours a week. A non-disabled adult, over the age of 25, needs to be work at least 30 hours a week.

There are different rules if you have children. For example, a person under 25 is not usually allowed to claim working tax credits. If they have children then they may be able to.

So if you aren't disabled, have children, or under the age of 25 you won't be able to claim.

For backdating rules see here

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/st...n-backdate.htm

I'm not an expert so it's best you get advice from Citizen's Advice.