JSA - got a job offer - when to declare?

BabyPotato

Hi, :hello: I am new here!

I claimed JSA 2 weeks ago (started looking for jobs 4 months ago but didn't claimed until 2 weeks ago.) I've got a job offer recently and have accepted the offer by a written letter. My induction and training will start this week and it will last 4 weeks (First Week: 12 hours, Second to the last Week: 20-24 hours every week.) I will be paid the normal hourly rate for my training. After finishing the training, I will be on 35 hours/week contract.

My question is: When should I tell the Job Center about this? A friend told me I don't have to tell them until the day before I formally start my 35h work and have signed the contract. She said until I sign the contract I can still be seen as looking for work. I am not quite sure about this and am worried if it will be treated as fraud if they find out I start training this week.

However, I don't want them to stop my claim either. In fact, I still haven't got a penny paid yet although my claim was proved last week. I am worried if I tell them about the training, my JSA will be stop now. My job won't pay me until the end of this month and I'm thousands of pound in debts already. I'm living on my overdraft at the moment and will exceed my limit soon.

I'd be very grateful if you could give me some advice. Thank you! :smileyhea

zappster1966

I'd reckon that you're in "remunerative work" from the day you start your training & it'll be from that date that your claim will be closed. You can apply for a Crisis Loan ("alignment to wages") to do you up to the day you get your first wage. You might qualify for a Job Grant, Housing Benefit Run On too if you've been signing on continuously for more than 6 months. There's also the possibility of Working Tax Credit too, depending on how much your annual salary will be.

Good luck in your new job

BabyPotato

zappster1966 wrote: »

I'd reckon that you're in "remunerative work" from the day you start your training & it'll be from that date that your claim will be closed. You can apply for a Crisis Loan ("alignment to wages") to do you up to the day you get your first wage. You might qualify for a Job Grant, Housing Benefit Run On too if you've been signing on continuously for more than 6 months. There's also the possibility of Working Tax Credit too, depending on how much your annual salary will be.

Good luck in your new job

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Are you sure my JSA will be stop the first day of my training? The thing is, my first week will be only 12 hours (3 days) of induction. It's under 16 hour (I thought if one doesn't work more than 16h a week, one is still entitle to JSA?) Also, the job is still not secured before I finish the training and being offered the contract, isn't it? ...

I've only been on JSA for 2 weeks - cannot ask for run on ...._pale_

BabyPotato

zappster1966 wrote: »

Good luck in your new job

Thank you so much!:blushing:

zappster1966

Mm. Good question.

Not being awkward or anything. But I think the benefit regulations are so worded that remunerative work counts as that which, on average, lasts 16 hours or more per week. Although I guess you could argue the point at the Job Centre, see what kind of response you get. But I wouldn't hold out much hope, apols.

mcc28_x

You will need to complete a B7 for the first week, but to be honest you may aswell just close your claim before you start the training. JSA will take into account all of your earnings after the first £5. So if 12hrs x £5.73 = £68.76, less the disregard = £63. This exceeds JSA therefore no JSA will be paid.

BabyPotato

mcc28_x wrote: »

You will need to complete a B7 for the first week, but to be honest you may aswell just close your claim before you start the training. JSA will take into account all of your earnings after the first £5. So if 12hrs x £5.73 = £68.76, less the disregard = £63. This exceeds JSA therefore no JSA will be paid.

Thank you for the helpful info!:heartsmil

Sorry to be ignorant, but what is B7? Do I fill a B7 for the employer or the Job Center? ... sorry for the stupid question ... this is the first time I claim benefit :rolleyes2

zappster1966

When you sign on you're normally asked if you've done any work in the last two weeks. If you have they ask you to complete form B7, it asks who you were working for, how many hours you worked & your gross/net pay. That form then goes to the Benefit Delivery Centre & they work out how much you're entitled to for the fortnight that has gone past.

mcc28_x is right though. I doubt you'll get anything. You might as well just sign off.

healy

The B7 would for the jobcentre to keep a record of youre earnings whilst claiming JSA.

BabyPotato

Thank you for your help.

How do I sign off? Do I have to wait until my next sign on? Can I just call and tell them my situation? I really don't like to be there again :embarasse

zappster1966

I think you simply fill in the tear off part of your signing on card (ES40) & post it back. That or phone your Benefit Delivery Centre & tell them you're starting work.