Job seekers allowance query

book12

I have read the Job seekers allowance booklet online, and still don't know if I qualify. Instead of calling them up, which would cost alot due to 0800 type numbers, I wonder if you could tell me if I qualify for the 'Job Seekers Allowance':

-British citizen
-currently living in the UK. Been here for a total of 6 years
-graduated from university and actively seeking a job
-have an permanent (i.e. not temporary) NI number
-worked during my gap year between the year 2005 and 2006, and got taxed
-have savings of about £400
-age 23

Also, I understand that I could apply online at this website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/ . However, I want to apply by paper. Is this available? If so, who do I contact to send me one, or collect?

tinkerbell84

book12 wrote: »

Instead of calling them up, which would cost alot due to 0800 type numbers,

0800 numbers are free from landline phones

book12

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

0800 numbers are free from landline phones

O yeah, lol. Don't want to call them since it's a weekend.

Do you know if I would be eligible?

Oldernotwiser

Do you live alone?

book12

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Do you live alone?

No, I live with parents.

Unstoppable_2

You cannot apply by paper. It is either online or via the phone. 0800 numbers are free. 0845 are local call charges BUT FROM THIS WEEK, are free if you are on BT Anytime package. At most it'd cost about 30p for the call.

Judging by your work history, you have not made enough contributions to qualify for contributions based and would only qualify for income based.

candie_gill

Firstly yes you do qualify. You need to ring your local job centre plus office. They will give you an 0845 number which you have to ring to do a phone interview and get an apointment which they will also send you some forms to fill out and take with you. Or you could go into your local job centre and call the 0845 number from there. Its a simple procedure and doesnt take too long.

Candie

book12

candie_gill wrote: »

Firstly yes you do qualify. You need to ring your local job centre plus office. They will give you an 0845 number which you have to ring to do a phone interview and get an apointment which they will also send you some forms to fill out and take with you. Or you could go into your local job centre and call the 0845 number from there. Its a simple procedure and doesnt take too long.

Candie

Good to hear that I qualify.

Lots of things to do by the looks of it! Or I could fill in the form online. I'll think about which method is best.

If I end up deciding to apply in person and phone. What do they ask in the phone inteview? I think I would need to prepare now, and get the relevant documents out incase they want to know about it. What 'proof' do I need to bring/send in at the appointment and with the form?

How long does the application gets approved?

LittleVoice

The most important qualification that you haven't mentioned is that you are seeking a job.

sammyjammy

book12 wrote: »

Good to hear that I qualify.

Lots of things to do by the looks of it! Or I could fill in the form online. I'll think about which method is best.

If I end up deciding to apply in person and phone. What do they ask in the phone inteview? I think I would need to prepare now, and get the relevant documents out incase they want to know about it. What 'proof' do I need to bring/send in at the appointment and with the form?

How long does the application gets approved?

I wouldn't complete the form online if I were you, there is no real benefit to it as they still need to speak to you over th ephone and there are lots of stories of things going wrong when applying online, its not a telephone interview its an information gathering call, they ask you questions about previous work, savings, personal circumstances etc, they then make an appt for an interview for you to discuss your situation with someone face to face, this isthe stage they will accept your claim to benefit, as regards payment you could wait weeks, they are getting 80,000 claims a week at the moment and are staffed to take around 45,000!

book12

sammyjammy wrote: »

I wouldn't complete the form online if I were you, there is no real benefit to it as they still need to speak to you over th ephone and there are lots of stories of things going wrong when applying online, its not a telephone interview its an information gathering call, they ask you questions about previous work, savings, personal circumstances etc, they then make an appt for an interview for you to discuss your situation with someone face to face, this isthe stage they will accept your claim to benefit, as regards payment you could wait weeks, they are getting 80,000 claims a week at the moment and are staffed to take around 45,000!

Ok, I will fill in the form when they send it to me. As for the payment, I could wait no matter how long it takes. Is this paid monthly or weekly? I still got some money left to spend if I need anyway. Also, I got parents to fal back on if I need money.

I understand that they are getting a lot of claims a week, due to the recession.

Do I need to bring anything in for the interview?