can I claim JSA?

tattygem

Hello there

First, thanks for reading. Second, I'm not trying to fraud the system, just trying to see what I'm entitled to.

Here's the situation: My youngest will be starting Reception next week. So, in a few weeks he'll be in school full-time. My husband has been in a job he hates for over 3yrs. He's tried, and tried to find other work, with no luck. Has only had 1 interview in the almost 2yrs he's been looking for other work. He had a change of boss last year, and since then has gone from glowing appraisals, to very poor appraisals, even though, if anything, he's working harder. He's been put on some kind of probation-type thing, and is fairly sure he'll be fired in the next month or so. Obviously, being sacked from a job is career suicide. Given the situation, he's seriously thinking of resigning. Obviously, not a great idea. but, given how desperately unhappy he is at work, I won't blame him if he does.

My understanding is that if he resigns, he may not be able to claim benefits for 6months. Fair enough. What I wonder, though, is whether I can claim JSA. I've been toying with the idea of working, while the kids are in school. I do suffer with depression, and spent a few months in the psych ward last winter. But, have been functioning much better since then. I've applied to handful of jobs over the past couple of months, and did get one interview.

Does anyone know what my options are?

Thanks

Duncombe

tattygem wrote: »

Hello there

First, thanks for reading. Second, I'm not trying to fraud the system, just trying to see what I'm entitled to.

Here's the situation: My youngest will be starting Reception next week. So, in a few weeks he'll be in school full-time. My husband has been in a job he hates for over 3yrs. He's tried, and tried to find other work, with no luck. Has only had 1 interview in the almost 2yrs he's been looking for other work. He had a change of boss last year, and since then has gone from glowing appraisals, to very poor appraisals, even though, if anything, he's working harder. He's been put on some kind of probation-type thing, and is fairly sure he'll be fired in the next month or so. Obviously, being sacked from a job is career suicide. Given the situation, he's seriously thinking of resigning. Obviously, not a great idea. but, given how desperately unhappy he is at work, I won't blame him if he does.

My understanding is that if he resigns, he may not be able to claim benefits for 6months. Fair enough. What I wonder, though, is whether I can claim JSA. I've been toying with the idea of working, while the kids are in school. I do suffer with depression, and spent a few months in the psych ward last winter. But, have been functioning much better since then. I've applied to handful of jobs over the past couple of months, and did get one interview.

Does anyone know what my options are?

Thanks

It depends on your husbands income/hours worked etc. I will asusme you have not worked, so wouldn't be applying for Conts Based JSA.

If you and your husband were unemployed then yes, you could claim JSA provided you will actively be seeking work.

If your husband resigns, he may be sanctioned from receiving JSA for upto 26 weeks.