Question about JSA

Jimmy_the_Saint

Hello,

I'm currently unemployed and receiving JSA. I do want a job but there's one thing stopping me for the time being.

I recently signed up for an Access Course (to Higher Education) at a college near me. I beleive the fee for the course is £600, although; if you are on JSA then you can get the course for free. The fees will be remitted (think that's the word) at the enrollment stage. After the enrollment stage, I'd be free to get a job without having a course fee to worry about.

I also know that you can claim JSA if your working 16 hours a week or less. I'm not sure how much money your entitled to from the Job Centre if this is the case, but actually my main question is weahter or not I'd still technically be "on the dole". Will I still have to go and sign-on? Will I still have to attend interviews with an advisor? If I am entitled to some money from the Job Centre; how much?

The reason I ask is that there's a part time bar job (16 hours per week) opened up in a working mens club that I'm a member of, and I stand a pretty good chance of getting, relatively speaking. So I'm wondering if I should go for it or not.

Jimmy_the_Saint

Red_Shoes_No_Knickers wrote: »

Well my love, you're nearly right - you can work up to (not including) sixteen hours and still claim Jobseekers Allowance, once you work sixteen hours you do not qualify anymore. If you work less than sixteen hours you will still have to sign on and all that jazz, and anything earned over £5 will be deducted from your jobseeking money!

How would the jobcentre know the difference between me working, say; 16 hours or 15 hours 55 minutes?

Jimmy_the_Saint

I'll have to find that out. Since it's 16 hours a week it could be short shifts. What's the minimum amount you have to work before being entitled to a break?

Jimmy_the_Saint

I'll enroll as soon as possible. It's not been confirmed that I've even been accepted onto the course yet, lol.

nannytone_2

it is 6 hours you can legally work without a break. i did a job where the employer took full advantage of this, and everyone worked exactly 6 hours a shift.

Oldernotwiser

Have you checked that you can still claim JSA and do a full time course? You'd be much better to take the job and stop claiming.

Good luck with the course.

Adereterial

If you're earning minimum wage at 16 hours a week you'll be earning more than JSA will pay.

And if you're working 16 hours you won't be able to claim JSA anyway.