On the dole on gap year?

Hi, does anyone know if it's possible to go on the dole during a gap year? I had a job but left it a couple of weeks ago, so I was wondering if I'd be able to go on the dole. I'm not living at home, and I am teaching myself an A Level so (perhaps) I am still a student. Can I claim "Jobseekers allowance" ? And if so, how do I go about getting it?

Reply 1

hugsnkisses

9

Yeah as long as you are working less than 8 hours a week

Reply 2

NSW

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_007957.xml.html

that should tell you everything you need to know.

i was on JSA for 4 weeks, but it was an absolute nightmare signing on in the first place, it was easier (though not as fast) to get a job!!

for me the amount i got was affected by my savings, but other than that it can be good while looking for work, or not as the case may be (my mate has been on JSA for months and months, and i dont think he has actually applied for any jobs in that time.)

Reply 3

Madelyn

13

You studying shouldn't be an issue, I'm retaking a whole lot of exams and was on JSA for (I think) four weeks before I went interrailing - I'd been looking for a job, but by the time people started getting back to me I was having to explain that I was leaving the country. It's not that difficult to get on once you 'phone up and make yourself known to them, but you probably ought to mention that you're still sort of studying.

Reply 4

spin

2

Someone told me that if you go on the dole then you have to sign something saying you're willing to accept any job they offer you? Is that true?

(I was lucky with my redundancy package so didn't need to go on it anyway)

Reply 5

Juno

20

spin

Someone told me that if you go on the dole then you have to sign something saying you're willing to accept any job they offer you? Is that true?

(I was lucky with my redundancy package so didn't need to go on it anyway)

You don't need to accept any job. You pick what types you're looking for, and if you get offerred one from them that you don't take you;d need a good reason why. But you're not forced to apply to anything and everything.

Reply 6

spin

2

Juno

You don't need to accept any job. You pick what types you're looking for, and if you get offerred one from them that you don't take you;d need a good reason why. But you're not forced to apply to anything and everything.

Ah I see, thanks for explaining :smile:

Reply 7

josephcohen_2

7

I thought you had to be over 21 to claim JSA or your put into a training scheme (with some sort of benefit attached). I might be wrong. You also might be over 21.

Reply 8

Juno

20

josephcohen_2

I thought you had to be over 21 to claim JSA or your put into a training scheme (with some sort of benefit attached). I might be wrong. You also might be over 21.

You are wrong. You have to be over 18. 16/17 year olds can sometimes get it, but only in very specific circumstances.

Reply 9

Ethereal

19

OP, the entitlement to the benefit is that you are actively seeking and available for work. If you don't really intend to get a job you are commiting fraud by claiming JSA.

Reply 10

Madmanjock

1

I've got a 4 month gap before I start uni, I intend to get a job to pass the time. Would that count for me to go on dole?

Reply 11

Ethereal

19

Madman, you can't claim until your school term official end date as you are still classified as in fulltime education

Reply 12

Sarky

18

I went on it briefly for about 5 months after quitting my job in my gap year because i became ill. I was switched over to that from income support when my doctors certificate ran out. Its not a great amount of money but its something.

Reply 13

Madmanjock

1

Ethereal

Madman, you can't claim until your school term official end date as you are still classified as in fulltime education

Okay but when school term has ended and I have a gap before Uni, would it be possible?

I should think so

I have a friend who's not managed until recently to get a job during his gap year and he was claiming JSA. Although he did tell them that he was going to university this year they didn't seem to mind

On the dole on gap year?

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