Claiming JSA after dismissal?

Red_Imp_2

I came off JSA last September to take up a 6 month fixed term contract but was sacked last month for gross misconduct. Had I not been sacked my contract would have ended this month anyway.

When making a reclaim for JSA shall I be honest about the sacking or just tell them my contract finished? Will they check with my previous employer?

dmg24

Lie to a govt dept or be honest - do you really need someone to answer that for you?

Red_Imp_2

Well it's not as clear cut as that. With my contract due to end this month anyway which I have on paper to show them, surely I can be economical with the truth?

What I want to know is will they ask me specifically why I left and if so will they check with my previous employer?

steve1980

Red_Imp wrote: »

Well it's not as clear cut as that. With my contract due to end this month anyway which I have on paper to show them, surely I can be economical with the truth?

What I want to know is will they ask me specifically why I left and if so will they check with my previous employer?

1: Fraud = prison sentence

2: Yes.

Gordon_Hose

I agree with the others.

There is "being economical with the truth", and then there's committing fraud.

cassieB57

While I disagree with the sort referring to a prison sentence which is highly unlikely here, you should tell them because they might ask for proof of when the contract ended. Any sanction will only be restricted to the period left to run on the contract anyway.

viktory

Red_Imp wrote: »

Will they check with my previous employer?

Of course they will! Do you honestly think they are going to take your word as gospel *shakes head in despair*

an9i77

Listen I work in HR and regularly get the jobcentre asking for the reasons why someone's job has ended when they get a new claim. Quite a few times this has been after someone has been sacked and I have of course told the jobcentre the truth so I would really recommend you don't lie. They usually ask for the paperwork relating to the dismissal also - usually this would be the final letter sent to the employee confirming dismissal. They usually ask us if the job would have continued for a further six months (I think, not exactly sure of the time frame but is longer than a month). TBH they ask for quite a lot of detail and sometimes if it is then queried by the claimant they get back in touch and ask for more info, presumably so they can make a decision as to where the truth lies.This is not one to lie about mate!

CCFC_80

Out of interest though If they did lie about why they left the job,what would they be charged with. I do not think this would be classed as benefit fraud which covers other areas like.

Types of Benefit Fraud

• Working and claiming -claimants who are receiving housing/council tax benefit on the basis that they are entitled to job seekers allowance/income support but are in fact working.
• Non-disclosure of property, capital or income - claimants who do not tell us about all their income, savings, capital or property so that the amount of benefit they get is higher than it should be.
• Non-disclosure of partner (living together as man and wife, as civil partners and as same sex couples) -claimants not telling us they have a partner, knowing that if they did they would not be entitled to benefit.
• Non-declaration of non-dependants or sub-tenants -claimants who do not tell us about other adults living in the property so that they keep, or increase their entitlement to benefit.
• False claims by homeowners - homeowners falsely claim housing benefit, stating they are paying rent for the property, inventing a fictitious landlord and using false rent books and tenancy agreements.
• False address or failing to declare a change of address -claimants who claim benefit for an address where they do not live. These types of offences can involve the landlord or other tenants, or occur when the claimant doesn't tell us that the have moved out of a property.
• Landlord fraud -landlords who continue to receive benefit paid direct to them when they know the claimant has left the premises.
• Fictitious tenancies -a tenancy is created between friends or family where the property would not normally be rented in order to obtain benefit to which they are not entitled.

I cannot see what sort of action they could take against the claimant other then the upto 26 week normal suspension which they would have got anyway. Perhaps a JSA adviser could comment if lying on the form as to why they left their job is perceived as benefit fraud.

BodyElectric

I would state 'contract terminated.' It is for your former employer to elaborate as they see fit and you can deal with that then.

I see the usual posse has gathered to salivate over another's misfortune.

Prison my A**e.

CCFC_80

BodyElectric wrote: »

I would state 'contract terminated.' It is for your former employer to elaborate as they see fit and you can deal with that then.

I see the usual posse has gathered to salivate over another's misfortune.

Prison my A**e.

Good point there, That looks much better then saying that they were sacked and would look better for the claimant and it is being more then economical with the truth.