strange potentially employed/not employed situation - JSA

Tygermoth

Hi all,

Just a quick question, after interviewing some time ago I was offered a potential job however I can not start or will get paid until a full background check has been done when a formal written offer will be made.

All the requested details for checking were sent off well in advance of my final day at my last job to commence the process.

So I call up the company and they have advised it can take up to another two months for me to be cleared. (I should mention at my last company it took 6months for me to clear as I have a complex works history) At the time this was no problem because I was paid while clearance was ongoing.

As such I am in this strange potentially employed/not employed situation.

Now, I am still actively job seeking (mainly as I can’t support myself with no income for six months).........but am I able to claim jsa?

Am I damned if I do and if I don’t? Sanctioned for turning a job down if i can’t wait.............. And sanctioned if I don’t because I have a valid offer?

My meeting with the JSA advisor is next week and I would like an idea of how it’s likely to go....

P.s I was originally supposed to do my two months training and orientation while on a visitors permit as that’s always how they have paid employees while waiting for clearance. However due to an upscale in DPA and risk assessments they have decided to suspend this practice... typical



(However in the company defence it did seem rather counterintuitive to have someone go through background checking but allow them immediate access to site and systems before the checking goes through)

HappyMJ

If you turn a job down as you say you will be sanctioned. If a job comes up and you apply for it and it is offered to you you must accept it. When the approval/offer for this job comes through then you can give notice on the temporary job.

What made you leave your last job?

Tygermoth

Hi HappyMJ

I was made redundant.

Sorry I may have confused you.

I have no other job temporary or otherwise. This one has been informally offered however may be 6 months before I could potentially start. However it IS an offer....


As such can I claim JSA while waiting for clearance or for another job, whichever come first.....I will be actively looking for alternate jobs as I cannot support myself without any income for 6 months.


I should mention my skill set is quite restrictive as I have some disabilities that make ‘mainstreaming’ quite difficult.

eeyore_2

My understanding of JSA is that you can claim provided you're actively looking for work. So you'll be fine if you're looking for temporary work while the company you have an offer from check you for clearance. Goodluck.