Losing money part time, should I quit for JSA?

mitt

I graduated a year ago, and despite having a few good job interviews, have only managed to continue in an unrelated minimum wage job, despite having an excellent CV and academic record.
I currently work one day a week, as I cut down my hours at work due to a combination of wanting to put more hours into my small business, and circumstances at work changing.

However, I've now worked out that I will be losing a lot of money every week (after rent, bills etc.) even if I claim housing/council tax/income support benefits.

I am aware that if I quit my job I may not be able to claim dole for a long time, but I can't get any longer hours at work (also trying to better my situation with small business, rather than be stuck in a min. wage job just to pay bills) and I'm on much less income at the end of the month than I would be on the dole.

I'm living as cheaply as possible, on the lowest rent I can find short of moving in with my parents, but if I carry on this way and don't find another job soon I will have no money left whatsoever in a few months.

Is it acceptable to quit my job to go on the dole for these reasons?

I'm really stuck because my only other choices are to try and find a really low paid full time job just to cover my rent (with no hope of improving my situation), move in with my parents (practically impossible) or continue like this looking for a better job and potentially run out of money completely very soon.

I know in this climate I should probably just go for any job possible, but working the hours I did before left me with no time to work on my small business or look for better jobs.

Advice please!

Indie_Kid

Are your hours low enough (<16) to stay in work and claim JSA?

mitt

Yes I only work 5.5 hours per week.

dmg24

How many hours do you put into your 'small business'?

mitt

At the moment I'm trying to spend Mon-Fri doing it, I'm trying to be a freelance illustrator and also set up an online store to sell commissioned goods such as wedding invitations etc. However I'm not yet registered as a business, as I haven't even started my website/sold anything yet.

clb776

you can go and sign on for income based jsa as well as working in your current position, do not quit due to this as it is much harder to find another job if you are unemployed, good luck,

dmg24

mitt wrote: »

At the moment I'm trying to spend Mon-Fri doing it, I'm trying to be a freelance illustrator and also set up an online store to sell commissioned goods such as wedding invitations etc. However I'm not yet registered as a business, as I haven't even started my website/sold anything yet.

If you are working more than sixteen hours you are not eligible for JSA. How old are you? You may be eligible for WTC.

ceridwen

Purely on the level of income O.P. is likely to be on - I would imagine they are due for WTC. However - childless people have to work at least 30 hours per week to be able to claim this I believe. At 5.5 hours per week O.P. has no chance whatsoever of getting this.

bestpud

ceridwen wrote: »

Purely on the level of income O.P. is likely to be on - I would imagine they are due for WTC. However - childless people have to work at least 30 hours per week to be able to claim this I believe. At 5.5 hours per week O.P. has no chance whatsoever of getting this.

They are working full time on their business...

dmg24

ceridwen wrote: »

Purely on the level of income O.P. is likely to be on - I would imagine they are due for WTC. However - childless people have to work at least 30 hours per week to be able to claim this I believe. At 5.5 hours per week O.P. has no chance whatsoever of getting this.

It might help if you read the posts before answering!