Question about claiming JSA/Courses

alison999

Im leaving my job at the end of next week. I know, since I left my job willingly (it was very stressful and making me ill) they might not let me claim for a while but thought Id give it a go anyway.

My question is that if they ask me to do courses and the ilke what do I do with my toddler? My eldest (6) is at school but I wont be able to pay for the childcare if Im on JSA.

My o/h said that they'd reduce/stop the benefit if I didnt go. I can see why they'd do that but at the end of the day my toddler isnt going to disappear (nor would i want him to) just so that I can go on a course.

Would they bear the fact that I have a young child in mind?

I just want to be clued up before I go in as Ive never claimed JSA before (Ive only ever claimed tax credit/cb for my children)

Also do I have to wait til Ive finished working since i know that I'll finish on 11th or could I go in on my day off in the week?

When I do go back to work my DS will go back to nursery so that isnt a problem.

Thanks for any help

dookar

A claimant has good cause for giving up, failing to attend, refusing or neglecting an
opportunity of a place on a training scheme or employment programme if the reason
for doing so was that
1. the claimant had caring responsibilities (see DMG Chapter 21) and
2. no close relative or other member of the household of the person being cared
for was available to care for the person and
3. it was not practical for the claimant to make other arrangements for the care
1
of that person .
1 JSA Regs, reg 73(2)(d)
34773 The DM may be asked to consider whether or not the claimant was available for or
ASE. The DM should decide those questions before considering the sanction
question.

What does you p/h half do? Can he not look after the children?

alison999

My other half works nights so has to sleep during the day, so no, he cant look after him.

dookar

Then I imagine you would have a problem with your availability.

Loobysaver

As you would be putting in a claim for conts based JSA, I very much doubt you would be asked to go on any courses at all for the 1st 6 months.

Usually it is the over 6 months people or if you are on New Deal.

alison999

Thanks, my o/h could stay up if i can arrange interviews in early in the morning or int he afternoon and like i said when im back in work he'll be in nursery.

but do I have to wait to claim til Ive finished working since i know that I'll finish on 11th?

dookar

No, you can claim in advance.

alison999

dookar wrote: »

No, you can claim in advance.

Thanks!

Does anyone know if I need to make a appointment or do I just go? Sorry for asking silly questions but Ive never claimed JSA before.

Also, what should I expect when I go? Do I hagve to take anything with me?

dookar

alison999 wrote: »

Thanks!

Does anyone know if I need to make a appointment or do I just go? Sorry for asking silly questions but Ive never claimed JSA before.

Also, what should I expect when I go? Do I hagve to take anything with me?

Hi, sorry I missed the follow up question. Normally you would phone the new claims line they, to all intents and purposes, fill out a form for you and tell you what evidence you need to provide and book your appointment. There's no legal basis in forcing you to do this, so if you choose to get a claim form then you need to provide the evidence listed on the form.

Without knowing everything about you we can't tell you what that evidence would be.