3rd year, finished finals - time to claim JSA?

Tigersilly · 26 May 2010 at 10:52PM

I've just finished my finals and I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to claim JSA. I begin a masters course in September (graduate in November) and I have a 2 week job lined up for mid-August at my undergrad uni.

If I am looking for work in the interim period, is it a good idea to claim JSA?

bodmil · 27 May 2010 at 1:13AM

Why don't you sign up with job agencies? You could probably get temp work between now and August. You could have done this weeks ago to avoid this situation.

Ambersuccubus · 27 May 2010 at 10:34AM

Be fair, temp agencies don't like you to sign up too far in advance, as they like to know you're available asap if work comes in!
Do sign up though - more firms are taking on temps rather than hiring contract staff at the mo as a way to minimise staff benefits, so there are a few bits available

Tigersilly · 27 May 2010 at 1:02PM

I have just found out that I will be 'working' (Student Associates' Scheme) at a primary school from mid June to early July. Would it be appropriate to approach a temping agency for a few days work here or there in early June and then throughout July? Would I be taxed during this period as a non-student (i.e. the gap between my undergrad and my masters)?

dmg24 · 27 May 2010 at 1:39PM

Your student status does not affect your tax liability. You are taxed if you earn (or are likely to earn) more than your personal allowance in the financial year.

You can claim JSA at the end of the university term.

Ambersuccubus · 27 May 2010 at 1:47PM

If you tell them exactly when you are/are not available, a good temp agancy will not mind (although it will of course limit what they can offer you).
Do sign on for the bits you are not working. You will have to sign off for any time you are being paid of course, and it may be a bit of a hassle, but it will protect your NI payments, and eventually give you a little money to use looking for more permanent work.

Tigersilly · 27 May 2010 at 2:28PM

dmg24 wrote: »

Your student status does not affect your tax liability. You are taxed if you earn (or are likely to earn) more than your personal allowance in the financial year.

You can claim JSA at the end of the university term.

Whenever I have worked in the holidays as a student, I have had to fill in this form: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/p38s.pdf

Can I ask, is the general consensus that it's a good idea to sign on in between jobs - even if there is a 2 week break in between?

dmg24 · 27 May 2010 at 2:30PM

Tigersilly wrote: »

Whenever I have worked in the holidays as a student, I have had to fill in this form: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/p38s.pdf

Can I ask, is the general consensus that it's a good idea to sign on in between jobs - even if there is a 2 week break in between?

If you do not work for the rest of the year, it is possible that you will not exceed your personal allowance. Do you intend to work for the rest of the year?

It is completely up to you if you sign on. If you do you will receive NI Credits for those weeks, but they are not going to make a significant difference if you are not working for the rest of the year.

Stubert · 27 May 2010 at 10:10PM

Some temp agencies might not be interested if you're only available for a couple of weeks. They might have loads of staff on their books so going through signing up may be a bit of a waste.

I'd use a bit of 'artistic license' to say when you're available...

payless · 29 May 2010 at 8:34PM

No tax on SAS , but also not able to claim JSA at that time

Tigersilly · 29 May 2010 at 8:53PM

I have another question: I finished my exams last week but the undergraduate semester officially ends on June 18th 2010. Am I considered a student until this point? I have made an appointment to see someone at the job centre but I'm now uncertain of whether I am entitled to claim JSA at present. Can anyone help?