JSA after 3 month period abroad?

nickygen

Hello all,

I have recently returned from a 2 month stint olive picking on an organic garden in Spain, the work was done in return for flights, accomodation and food with a small weekly allowance (woofing). I was on JSA before i left due to being unemployed, i didn't sign off this as the offer to go to Spain was short notice and I thought it was a good opportunity.

Now on return due to the work essentially being for free I have no money and am wondering what my entitlements are. I was 3 months into the JSA program (and was in receipt of housing benefit) and have now returned and am living between family and friends.

Any help greatly appreciated,

Thanks

Nick

hibbi

Put in a claim to JSA ASAP. It can take up to 2 weeks for it to be processed. At your interview the may ask you to fill out several forms to confirm you are Habitually Resident in this country. i.e your main interests are in the UK, belongings, registered with a doctor etc. If these conditions are satisfied then you may be entitled.

You wont know unless you claim

KimYeovil

As it was clearly a temporary seasonal position abroad I see no reason why you would not be entitled to full income based benefits.

The only complication would be as you were in receipt of housing benefit it would have probably been overpaid as you did not inform anyone. This could be a sizeable sum that will be docked from future payments in weekly amounts of £4 to £7.

gilerachick

You should be fine. If you are a UK resident and have been out out of the country for less than 2 years Habitual residence does not apply. You should be entitled to the same rate of benefit as when you left if there are no change of circumstances.

gilerachick

P.S try to get a permanent address, being NFA, (no fixed abode) may delay your payments. Pick one address and stick with it as a correspondance address. Your claim will probably take 6 - 8 weeks to process anyway.