Laid off, new job in 1 months time - Can I claim benefits for the month?

The_Maestro

Hi,

I was made redundant today but fortunately I found new job last week and it doesn't start until 15th November. I'd like to claim Unemployment Benefit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Credit for the month as well as get my teeth fixed for free :O

Is the future job offer any barrier to claiming? I have no income for the next month and less than 4K savings - I got no redundancy pay so no big payouts due that would push my meagre savings up.

Thanks for any information,

Dave

Indie_Kid

Will you be looking for work in the mean time?

The_Maestro

sh1305 wrote: »

Will you be looking for work in the mean time?

I'm not sure I could because I've already accepted the job offer for the 15th Nov (a bird in the hand) and assume I would be in breach of contract if I went back on it.

Maybe the answer is that I just don't tell them about the job offer when I claim?

dmg24

The_Maestro wrote: »

I'm not sure I could because I've already accepted the job offer for the 15th Nov (a bird in the hand) and assume I would be in breach of contract if I went back on it.

Maybe the answer is that I just don't tell them about the job offer when I claim?

Do you think that telling lies to the DWP is a good idea?

You could look for temporary work in the meantime?

Jinx

There is nothing to stop you applying for jobs until you start your new job. Thats what I did while awaiting my disclosure to go through. Just hit 'send cv' on S1 rather than spending ages on a covering letter, looked in the paper and only did applications with a generic covering letter and CV. What Im waffling on to say is you can 'seek work' the easy way and claim your benefits with a clear conscience.

(and before I get flamed for my comments Ive paid tax & NI for 20 years and recently claimed 10 weeks worth of JSA!)

dmg24

Jinx wrote: »

There is nothing to stop you applying for jobs until you start your new job. Thats what I did while awaiting my disclosure to go through. Just hit 'send cv' on S1 rather than spending ages on a covering letter, looked in the paper and only did applications with a generic covering letter and CV. What Im waffling on to say is you can 'seek work' the easy way and claim your benefits with a clear conscience.

(and before I get flamed for my comments Ive paid tax & NI for 20 years and recently claimed 10 weeks worth of JSA!)

It would be a good idea to continue to seek work because of the high rate of job offers which get withdrawn in the current climate ... and who cares how long you have paid tax for?

The_Maestro

dmg24 wrote: »

Do you think that telling lies to the DWP is a good idea?

Yes in general it seems to be a good idea although I'd prefer to avoid lying, but I'm not sure that they would even ask.

dmg24 wrote: »

You could look for temporary work in the meantime?

So if I told them about the job offer (assuming they even ask), would looking for temp. jobs in the meantime make me eligible?

The_Maestro

dmg24 wrote: »

It would be a good idea to continue to seek work because of the high rate of job offers which get withdrawn in the current climate ... and who cares how long you have paid tax for?

Yeah I think that's a sensible comment. So I won't tell the DWP about the offer because it might get withdrawn anyway (and its still subject to references and medical). So I just claim benefits and carry on looking for work as before so that I have some backup plans if the offer falls through.

Dave

dmg24

The_Maestro wrote: »

Yeah I think that's a sensible comment. So I won't tell the DWP about the offer because it might get withdrawn anyway (and its still subject to references and medical). So I just claim benefits and carry on looking for work as before so that I have some backup plans if the offer falls through.

Dave

No, you tell the truth and then you seek temporary work (or permanent if you are unsure of the security of your planned job) for the period of your claim. You will qualify for JSA whilst seeking temporary work.

The_Maestro

dmg24 wrote: »

No, you tell the truth and then you seek temporary work (or permanent if you are unsure of the security of your planned job) for the period of your claim. You will qualify for JSA whilst seeking temporary work.

But if I say I have a job offer than they might get suspicious about my sincerity to continue looking for work. I think its best that they don't know, it will only complicate matters and they couldn't find out anyhow.

Are you sure that they even ask/are interested in this piece of information?

Jinx

dmg24 wrote: »

It would be a good idea to continue to seek work because of the high rate of job offers which get withdrawn in the current climate ... and who cares how long you have paid tax for?

Ok maybe it isnt relevant - its just sometimes comments are made on this board that are not always supportive toward jobseekers - was just getting my defence in 1st for what some might perceive as not strictly playing by the rules.... I should have just said keep applying, keep claiming...