We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Joining an Agency after JSA

Hi, I've been singing on JSA for 3 months with no success. Not without trying, i've applied for over 150 jobs in that time. Anyway I got a call today from a recruitment agency that wanted me to come in for a chat. The thing I want to ask is, even though I will probably join the agency there is no guarantee that I'll actually have any work. Can I still claim JSA if they can't give me something for weeks at a time? Has anyone been through this before? Just wanted to get some background information before I have to go to the job centre on wednesday.
Emergency Fund - £8572.39 / £10,000 :: Mortgage OP 2025 - £
LISA 24/25 - £3200 / £4000 :: NSD 2025 - 2 / 150 :: Books Read: 1 / 52 :: Decluttering - 4 / 1000
Engaged 9th December 2010 :: Married 29th October 2015 :: Bought a House 13th January 2017

Comments

  • CCFC_80
    CCFC_80 Posts: 1,289 Forumite
    Yes of course you can still claim jsa if they do not offer you any work. If they offer you more then 16 hours a week and the role is what you want, you will have to close your jsa claim and when the position ends you can again make a rapid reclaim. Hope this answers your question.
  • ruby_eskimo
    ruby_eskimo Posts: 4,807 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks! That helps a lot.
    Emergency Fund - £8572.39 / £10,000 :: Mortgage OP 2025 - £
    LISA 24/25 - £3200 / £4000 :: NSD 2025 - 2 / 150 :: Books Read: 1 / 52 :: Decluttering - 4 / 1000
    Engaged 9th December 2010 :: Married 29th October 2015 :: Bought a House 13th January 2017
  • robin_banks
    robin_banks Posts: 15,778 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    You'll still be able to claim no doubt that, but makes sure you declare earnings, i.e. you may get a days work here and there. Also agency staff are paid a week in arrears, so you can claim in the week you recieve money as you worked the week before.

    I was signing on and off for about a year many moons ago, my advice is pays to keep them posted of what you are doing, they will flag you as an agency worker.

    The ultimate irony for me was I stopped signing on and off to work in a jobcentre, and there not all ogres !!!.
    "An arrogant and self-righteous Guardian reading tvv@t".

    !!!!!! is all that about?
  • Conor_3
    Conor_3 Posts: 6,944 Forumite
    You cannot claim JSA if you're working 16hrs or more in any week but what you can do, and what I strongly recommend, is to go sign on straight away once a booking has ended. You will not be sanctioned as it is a temp position that has come to a natural end and as long as it's not been more than 13 weeks since you last signed on, you can do a rapid application. DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF NOT SIGNING ON "BECAUSE YOU MIGHT GET SOMETHING IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS" - fallen into that trap myself before only to find those few days turn into a fortnight.
  • ruby_eskimo
    ruby_eskimo Posts: 4,807 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks everyone I really appreciate it! And Conor, don't worry, I've made the mistake of thinking something will come up job wise and that's why i've left it till now to finally take agency work. I wont make the same mistake when it comes to getting money in the future!
    Emergency Fund - £8572.39 / £10,000 :: Mortgage OP 2025 - £
    LISA 24/25 - £3200 / £4000 :: NSD 2025 - 2 / 150 :: Books Read: 1 / 52 :: Decluttering - 4 / 1000
    Engaged 9th December 2010 :: Married 29th October 2015 :: Bought a House 13th January 2017
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 258.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.