Jsa and holidaying abroad

ash781

Hi

I have been on Job Seekers Allowance for almost 4 and a half months and I’m struggling to find a job. The Jobcentre has promised me additional help and training if I’m still unemployed after 6 months.

The problem arose last week. I had booked a cheapo 2 week holiday in Tenerife a few weeks ago and I fly out in 3 weeks. I mentioned this last week when I signed on thinking that they would just give me a form to complete. However, I was told that if I went abroad I would have to make a completely new claim (i.e sign off and then sign on again) when I got back. The Advisor told me the reason for this was because I wouldn’t be available for work whilst I was away. Fair enough, rules are rules etc and I accepted this.

Now, I was quite willing to forfeit my two weeks JSA payment and sign back on again when I got back but where does that leave me regarding the additional help I was promised if I was still unemployed after 6 months? I’m worried I’m not going to get this now.

I have telephoned the Jobcentre for clarification and they have said I will be told about the ‘help and training’ options WHEN I make my new claim, but I want to know now before I go away!

Will my new claim REALLY be a new claim and put me ‘back to day one’ so the extra help wouldn’t be available for a further 6 months? This doesn’t seem fair!


I’d really appreciate any thoughts.



(Please don’t tell me the unemployed shouldn’t be able to afford to go abroad:

1) I have worked continuously since I left school and have some savings 2) This holiday was a cheaper option than holidaying for 2 weeks in a wet and windy Blackpool!)

viktory

Seems perfectly fair to me - you are not available for work ergo you are not eligible to claim means tested benefits. When you are once again available for work you will be able to claim means tested benefits. Therefore your brand new claim will be started again and you will be back at day one.

You can't honestly expect to be given the additional help and support offered at six months when your claim has had to be closed because you are off on your jollies! Talk about having your cake...

bodeia

I'm sure there is a way of linking claims where there is only a short period between so this may mean you may still qualify for the help and training.

karenx

bodeia wrote: »

I'm sure there is a way of linking claims where there is only a short period between so this may mean you may still qualify for the help and training.

Does that not only work if its a few days? Not 2 weeks??

bodeia

[FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]

From www.dsdni.gov.uk/jsa_background_information.pdf

[FONT=Arial,Italic][FONT=Arial,Italic]
Linking rules
[/FONT][/FONT]
People whose claim to JSA is broken by a period of less than 12 weeks will be
treated as having one continuous claim to JSA. In addition, people who leave
JSA and then claim Incapacity Benefit, Maternity Allowance, Carer’s Allowance
or a Training Allowance or who undertake jury service also have their claims
linked. The linking rules are normally beneficial and ensure, for example, that
claimants do not have to serve a further set of waiting days, and that they retain

their previous entitlement to mortgage interest payments when they reclaim JSA.

[/FONT][/FONT]

aj2703

Ask the JC about a rapid reclaim.

red_devil

its disgusting people cant have a break without losing money! It also penalises the people/person you may want to go with or who may have offered to pay? Why should they be penalised?

Another very outdated rule. Needs urgent change like the only allowed to earn a fiver a week that been around donkeys years!:rolleyes:

red_devil

ash781 wrote: »

Hi

I have been on Job Seekers Allowance for almost 4 and a half months and I’m struggling to find a job. The Jobcentre has promised me additional help and training if I’m still unemployed after 6 months.

The problem arose last week. I had booked a cheapo 2 week holiday in Tenerife a few weeks ago and I fly out in 3 weeks. I mentioned this last week when I signed on thinking that they would just give me a form to complete. However, I was told that if I went abroad I would have to make a completely new claim (i.e sign off and then sign on again) when I got back. The Advisor told me the reason for this was because I wouldn’t be available for work whilst I was away. Fair enough, rules are rules etc and I accepted this.

Now, I was quite willing to forfeit my two weeks JSA payment and sign back on again when I got back but where does that leave me regarding the additional help I was promised if I was still unemployed after 6 months? I’m worried I’m not going to get this now.

I have telephoned the Jobcentre for clarification and they have said I will be told about the ‘help and training’ options WHEN I make my new claim, but I want to know now before I go away!

Will my new claim REALLY be a new claim and put me ‘back to day one’ so the extra help wouldn’t be available for a further 6 months? This doesn’t seem fair!


I’d really appreciate any thoughts.



(Please don’t tell me the unemployed shouldn’t be able to afford to go abroad:

1) I have worked continuously since I left school and have some savings 2) This holiday was a cheaper option than holidaying for 2 weeks in a wet and windy Blackpool!)

good for you enjoy your break, jobseeking will still be there when you get back!

you should have said that you were jobseeking there. Its in Europe they are our neighbours;)

alwaysonthego_2

red_devil wrote: »

its disgusting people cant have a break without losing money! It also penalises the people/person you may want to go with or who may have offered to pay? Why should they be penalised?

Another very outdated rule. Needs urgent change like the only allowed to earn a fiver a week that been around donkeys years!:rolleyes:

A part of the JSA agreement is that claimants are available for work. If someone goes abroad they are not available for work.

Please can we keep this thread on topic.

woody01

(Please don’t tell me the unemployed shouldn’t be able to afford to go abroad:

Not at all.
If you can afford it then do so.
Maybe you should have spent your holiday money on retraining though rather than letting the tax payer pick up the tab.

You either want to train, in which case, don't go on holiday, or you don't want to train, so have the holiday and don't moan.

red_devil wrote: »

its disgusting people cant have a break without losing money! It also penalises the people/person you may want to go with or who may have offered to pay? Why should they be penalised?

Another very outdated rule. Needs urgent change like the only allowed to earn a fiver a week that been around donkeys years!:rolleyes:

Why is it outdated?
Why should you get Job Seekers Allowance whilst not seeking a job?

red_devil

firstly its the dole ok js is a fancy new word made up to suit the powers that be.:rolleyes:

Secondly every one needs a break now and again you cant keep looking for a job day in and out. Soul destroying for many. Have a break come back refreshed. Doubt you will miss much. If you can afford it why shouldnt you be allowed to go without penalisation. Your allowed to have a break in this country so why not abroad! You can get back from Spain or France just as quickly as Cornwall if a jobs comes up.

Also someone might pay for you to go so why should they be penalised too. Should they have to go alone! Stinks.

Cant say anymore than that!