Should I inform the jobcentre about going abroad?

keftes

Hi all


I am currently on JSA, HB and CTB. I had an offer from a friend to go abroad (in Scandinavia) for 5 days. Fortunately the days I am going are not gonna be on the same day that I sign in the job centre.



Should I anyway inform the JC about me going abroad?


What would the consequences be if I don’t?


I don’t know if it is right not to inform them BUT I do know it will be a hassle to sign off and reclaim benefits when it will only be away for 5 days.


Thanks in advance

borders

Yes. You should inform them. JSA is an agreement that you are available and looking for work. If you're abroad then you are not available for work. So you are not eligible for this benefit. Not informing them is fraud and could lead to your benefits being stopped and you being charged/fined for fraud.

Your choice. I signed off when I went abroad when I was unemployed. But I try to be honest in everything I do.

CCFC_80

keftes wrote: »

Hi all


I am currently on JSA, HB and CTB. I had an offer from a friend to go abroad (in Scandinavia) for 5 days. Fortunately the days I am going are not gonna be on the same day that I sign in the job centre.



Should I anyway inform the JC about me going abroad? Yes.


What would the consequences be if I don’t? They could find out and you could be called into answer a benefit fraud charge.


I don’t know if it is right not to inform them BUT I do know it will be a hassle to sign off and reclaim benefits when it will only be away for 5 days. Not as much hassle as you think,You will have to go through a rapid reclaim which isn't as long as a normal new claim.

Thanks in advance

.........................................

diable

borders wrote: »

Yes. You should inform them. JSA is an agreement that you are available and looking for work. If you're abroad then you are not available for work. So you are not eligible for this benefit. Not informing them is fraud and could lead to your benefits being stopped and you being charged/fined for fraud.

Your choice. I signed off when I went abroad when I was unemployed. But I try to be honest in everything I do.

Looking for work abroad at short notice had no time to inform the Joke Centre......

dmg24

I have reported the posts advocating fraud to the MSE Team.

OP, as others have said, a rapid reclaim should be no hassle. The implications of not informing the JCP are far greater. You can continue to receive HB and CTB whilst you are away, just let the LA know when you go and when you return.

churchrat

A rapid reclaim is hassle, the "team" loose the paperwork, it goes to a different office, the person who should deal with it is out sick/doesn't know how to do it/is in on Friday....
Not advocating fraud, my dd told the jcp she was going to Italy for a family wedding, took over a month for her claim to be restarted.

I can understand why people do not tell the jobcentre. My dd is lucky that we could support her.

cassieB57

diable wrote: »

Looking for work abroad at short notice had no time to inform the Joke Centre......

You are not eligible for JSA abroad on holiday, and not for going abroad to 'look for work'. You can continue to receive JSA in certain circumstances if you are attending an interview abroad which you have notified in advance. You cannot use the argument that there was 'no time'. In fact if you let them know on the day you are last due to sign on you can have your claim closed straight away so tha should streamline the reclaim. Ask at the jobcentre to make sure they close the claim when you sign if possible.

williacg

I don't really know a great deal about the Job Centre, so apologies if I appear ignorant, but when informing them verbally of your intention to go abroad, could you not also follow that up with a Recorded Delivery letter, confirming what they have advised, keeping a copy of the letter for your own records? At least that way you would have some evidence to refer back to if any disputes should arise regarding failure to inform them, and what date you did so. The last thing you want is to have a sanction waiting for you (or whatever other action they are prepared to take) when you return from your hols.

ceridwen

What about using the proviso that states that jobseekers are "allowed" 2 weeks holiday a year and say that this 5 days is part of that 2 weeks worth if it comes to it?

anamenottaken

ceridwen wrote: »

What about using the proviso that states that jobseekers are "allowed" 2 weeks holiday a year and say that this 5 days is part of that 2 weeks worth if it comes to it?

Those two weeks are to be spent in the UK.

richpoortyke

dmg24 wrote: »

I have reported the posts advocating fraud to the MSE Team.

Really?

Thats pathetic!