Claiming JSA and hous benefit while job is coming to an end

dookar

monkeyblue wrote: »

Which is fairly key as you cannot claim JSA in advance.

Yes you can

merlin68

If your on a low income now, claim HB for the current property that you are in, then it will just be a change of circumstance when you move.

dookar

monkeyblue wrote: »

Link? Further explanation relevant to this thread? Or are you trying to be dark and mysterious?

I'm not sure what's mysterious about saying advance claims are allowed, but anyway, no link because I'm posting from my phone (launderettes can be very boring) but its covered in c&p regs (13)

Macro_3

It's also incorrect to say that the HB won't be paid until documentary evidence of JSA is seen. OP in your position I'd make a claim as soon as possible, but make sure you note on the front of the claim form that you are making a claim in advance of your job ending. Perhaps include a covering note stating that your job ends on x date, and you intend to claim JSA immediately after. Confirm the terms of your job ending (ie that your final payment from your employer will include just wages up to that date/holiday owed/redundancy pay as appropriate, and as much proof of that as you can. Also state that once work ends you will have no income until your JSA is paid.

Make sure the form is complete and you include all the evidence that the form requests, and include a contact number so the assessor can call you rather than having to write to you if anything is missing! Provide your tenancy agreement as soon as you have it.

On the day that work ends. either telephone or pop a note into the LA to confirm that work has ended as expected.

In my LA, this would mean that the claim would have worked it's way through the queue and the scanning and registration process and would be in someone's work basket, and would have the best chance of being paid soon after work ending. In the absence of a DWP decision on your Jobseekers Allowance it would be paid on nil income.

Bear in mind, though, that claims are paid two/four weeks in arrears depending on the LA.

Macro_3

By the way, I wouldn't recommend making your claim for HB via the DWP alongside your JSA claim. Two reasons: firstly, a high percentage of the input documents are not received in our LA from the DWP, they are really quite unreliable. Even if they are received, they are often delayed. Secondly, the forms rarely contain enough info to pay a claim on, and they definitely wouldn't in the OPs case. They would just trigger the assessor to call/write to the claimant for the missing information. I would always apply direct to the LA if you are able.

dookar

monkeyblue wrote: »

Because all you have said is, yes, you claim JSA in advance. Considering this thread is supposed to be advising and helping the OP, then a link or further advice might, just might, be useful.

ETA: No need to bother yourself further, Macro has given good, complete advice.

The same way you did? Neither if us posted a link, the only difference is I didn't make something up.

So whom of us was least helpful?

rogerblack

dookar wrote: »

I'm not sure what's mysterious about saying advance claims are allowed, but anyway, no link because I'm posting from my phone (launderettes can be very boring) but its covered in c&p regs (13)

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch02.pdf - 02425 - gives general guidance on advance awards.
And specifically does not list JSA.

The fun part is of course convincing the person that refuses you of this, without going through an appeal that may take weeks.

dookar

Y

monkeyblue wrote: »

I gave full information to the best of my knowledge (which is why I used the words 'as far as I am aware'). I also gave good advice to the OP on how to expedite his claim. This was far more useful than your surly one liner. So to answer your question, you were the least helpful.

I am always happy to learn but in order to learn someone knowledgeable like yourself (!) needs to teach. There is little point in 'You're wrong' posts that fail to elucidate any further.

Don't be ridiculous. You gave completely inaccurate information, I corrected you. Your post was potentially damaging to the op, that's why I corrected you, not to educate you, but to limit the harmful repercussions of your 'advice'. You requested I 'back up' my comment and I've given the specific regulation so I don't see what the problem is.

Others - sorry for derailing the thread

dookar

monkeyblue wrote: »

I'm not being ridiculous. You didn't post a link to the relevant regulations, you haven't explained in what circumstances the OP can claim JSA in advance and you haven't offered any help in what the OP might say when he rings the Job Centre Plus. All you have done is state that one can claim JSA in advance and then argue with me. Hardly helpful.

My knowledge re claiming JSA in advance *might* be incorrect (I've yet to see any evidence of this though) but I did try to help in other ways.

Nor do I consider this debate derailing the thread. If we can ever get to the nuts and bolts of claiming JSA early, while still in paid employment, then it will really help the OP and others.

Now, would you like to share your wealth of knowledge with the group?

I already have, a few times over the last year or so, I've also given you the legislation in this very thread.

This has been blown out of all proportion, why can't you just accept that some people are genuine experts in this field.

Regulation 13 of the claims and payments regulations:

Advance claims and awards
13.—(1)!Where, although a person does not satisfy the requirements for entitlement to benefit on the date on which a claim is made, the adjudicating authority is of the opinion that unless there is a change of circumstances he will satisfy those requirements for a period beginning on a day (“the relevant day”) not more than 3 months after the date on which the claim is made, then that authority may–
(a)(b)(2)!An award under paragraph (1)(b) shall be reviewed by the adjudicating authority if the requirements for entitlement are found not to have been satisfied on the relevant day.
(3)!This regulation does not apply to any claim for maternity allowance, attendance allowance, mobility allowance, retirement pension or increase, family credit, or any claim within regulation 11(1)(a) or (b).

dookar

Good grief, the legislation is everything.

Just for you:

OP - call the contact centre and say you want to claim Jobseeker's Allowance, tell them the date from which you want to claim.