JSA First 3 Days

ghost_whistler

I havejust had my first proper signing session following the start of my claim on the 3r (the interview was on the 4th). In the process of verifying my bank details it turns out that i won't get paid for the first 3 days of my claim. I was told this is standard practise now (since when I don't know). Is this right? That's a significant sum of money to arbitrarily deny someone for no apparent reason. The letter i got at the start of the week telling me my claim has been processed and that I can receive JSA makes no mention of this either. This can't be right, surely?

MrsManda

This is correct, they're called 'waiting days'
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10018757

ghost_whistler

I've just rang up the JSA centre and they said it won't apply as my claim is a 'rapid reclaim' from my ESA claim which ended in January. The JC+ advisor got it wrong. This apparenlty only applies to your first claim or something. What a ridiculously confusing system.

cassieB57

It has always been the case ever since 'national assistance' days. The idea was to stop claims being made for short breaks in employment (a bit like an insurance 'excess'). obviously in those days jobs were easier to come by. And no I wasn't working for the 'labour exchange' then! (Though it feels like it sometimes)

CCFC_80

The 3 day waiting period is a joke ,there is no excuse not to pay it to new claimants. I understand though the rule has been like this for donkey's years. It is just an excuse of saving 3 days of tax payers money for every single claimant when it should be paid immediately for all those that qualify.

cassieB57

It isn't on every claim though. If you reclaim within 12 weeks of a previous claim you will be paid from the first day of that claim.

dogfish12

CCFC : Yes: The 3 day non-payment thing is simply ripping the claimant off for those days. Simples.