Am I entitled to Job Seekers Allowance?

CDaniels1987

Ok basically ive been working for a company for the last 5 years, i am due to leave there in 1 1/2 weeks due to the shop closing down and the nearest job they could offer me was too far away for me, obviously i will be looking for work straight away but if i dont find anything straight away am i entitled to JSA? ive heard that i wont be able to claim for 26 weeks after i stop working, is this true?

thanks in advance.

catmiaow

If the shop is closing then that would be classed as redundancy. When I was made redundant I claimed straight away, don't think that's changed now.

CDaniels1987

yeah but i was offered another position in another store which was less hours and as i dont drive couldnt really get to, so im not getting any redundency or anything like that, will this affect anything?

Kate78

Hmmm, if you are unable to reasonably travel to the new store (ie there is no public transport available), then you may still have a case for redundancy, which means you'd get a week's pay for each full year you'd worked there.

The first 26 weeks you will be able to claim contribution based JSA which is based on the National Insurance payments you have paid in. After that, you will have to apply for Income Based JSA which is a means-tested benefit depending on what money you have coming in and any savings you have.

direct.gov.uk has more info.

HTH

Oldernotwiser

How far away is the alternative job?

anamenottaken

And what is the difference in hours? For instance, are you working 37 hours/week now but the "alternative" would be 19 hour/week?

CDaniels1987

Its in Coventry and i live near Merry Hill, I was on 40 hours and ive now been put down to 24 hours.

hayley11

CDaniels1987 wrote: »

Its in Coventry and i live near Merry Hill, I was on 40 hours and ive now been put down to 24 hours.

That's quite a difference. I'm sure that would have to come under redundancy? Looking on google maps it's over 30 miles away? Not to mention the drop in hours.

Hopefully somebody will come along shortly to confirm this or you could give ACAS a ring in the morning, they should be able to give you some advice.