Signing on if ill or on holiday?

Lea74

Hi,

What happens if you cant sign on due to a weeks holiday or are ill? I realise that I wouldnt be available for work during the week I was on holiday, does that mean I dont receive JSA and SMI that week?

Thanks

allen35

Inform your personal adviser and if you are still seeking work, mention internet, local papers etc. As long as holiday isn't abroad there shouldn't be too many problems.

I recall being in this predicament and i informed the JCP and stated i had access to the internet and would still be actively seeking work whilst away.

Lea74

What if it is abroad - but still have access to internet??

frostyfeet

If the holiday is in this country you can be excused from looking for work for up to 2 benefit weeks but you must remain available (ie willing to return and take up a job offered, should that be necessary). If you are going abroad then you will need to sign off then make a rapid reclaim on your return.

Lea74

thanks. what is a rapid reclaim?

frostyfeet

its just a reclaim....as long as your circumstances havent changed, its a shorter application than the original and tends to be a bit quicker to sort out. You will still need an interview with an adviser but that is also generally a bit shorter.

cassieB57

you can have up to 2 short periods of sickness in a claim each no more than 14 days, you just have to let the jobcentre know, they will send a form to you to give details and you will be excused signing, and your money sent out when they get the form back. Frostyfeet is correct about the excused attendance (so he/she may work in a jcp??) but I would add that you should attend your jc on the first working day after you return from hols, and if your signing day falls while you are away, will only get the money when you have returned