Confused about Job Seekers Allowance

ImogenAiri

I hope this is in the right forum, if not, I apologise, I'm brand spanking new and the lay out is a tad confusing for me. I have a few questions about Job seekers Allowance that I'm hoping someone can help me with.

I started a new job in retail last year in December, after being on Job Seekers for around five months.

Unfortunately on December 22nd, I had to go into work and hand in my notice, due to my grandfather's health problems. Since no one else in my family could spend all day with my grandfather, my dad asked me to do so, as my grandfather needed someone with him to look after him. My manager understood and I left on good terms with her and she told me if I wanted to come back I could. I called my manager up today, after my cousin offered to take over care of my granddad, only to find the store has closed down, the week after I left.

I hope people do not think of me as taking the mick with Job seekers, but after handing in my notice, thus making myself 'voluntarily unemployed', can I even reapply for Job Seekers?
I am completely stuck at the moment money wise, as I recently had to repay an overpayment on my student loan (They actually over paid me while I was in uni last year and now are demanding it back early, despite me not earning enough to pay it back. That or court sadly.), which has sucked my bank account dry, so consequently, I have nothing to live off at the moment. I have no savings and nothing that I can sell to see me through what I am now seeing as being a bad move on my part, despite wanting to help my family.

Could anyone please advise me? I am totally at a loss. I have heard some frightening words (to me at least) being thrown around like tribunal, which worries me. I've also heard I will have to wait 28 weeks or more before I can reapply for Job seekers.

I have not contacted the Job Centre yet, as I have been busy sorting out arrangements with my cousin. I do not simply want to reapply for Job Seekers Allowance, as I worry it might spark up lots of trouble or something, so I am wondering if enquiring with the job centre first is best? Also, what happens if they say I am unable to claim Job Seekers? Does this mean that I am supposed to live on whatever I have in my bank account until I find a job? Which could be months if I am unlucky.

Thanks to anyone who reads this and/or can offer advice. I apologise if it seems silly.

Edit to add: A few of my friends have said to apply for carers allowance, but I am no longer caring for my grandfather, as my older cousin has taken over so this is not something I can apply for, nor would I do so, since I am not his full time carer.

Torry_Quine

You should apply and they will ask how your last job ended. Normally they would contact your ex-employer to check but this may not be possible if the store is closed. While making their decision you will get JSA (contribution if enough NI paid or income based if not and low savings) Any sanction could be up to 26 weeks but may be much less.

dseventy

ImogenAiri wrote: »

I
I started a new job in retail last year in December, after being on Job Seekers for around five months.

Unfortunately on December 22nd, I had to go into work and hand in my notice, due to my grandfather's health problems. Since no one else in my family could spend all day with my grandfather, my dad asked me to do so,

When your dad asked you, what did you say?

Did you explain that you needed money to live on? did you give income any thought or discussed it as a family?

D70

Oldernotwiser

I think that you may well be sanctioned form claiming JSA for some time at least. I find it difficult to see how someone couldn't have been with your grandfather over the Christmas holidays and the Job Centre may well see it the same way.

You need to contact the SLC to arrange a payment plan for the money you owe them.

ImogenAiri

dseventy wrote: »

When your dad asked you, what did you say?

Did you explain that you needed money to live on? did you give income any thought or discussed it as a family?

D70

I told him I'd need to see if I could switch shifts around before hand, as I can't take time off, my manager didn't allow it so close to Christmas. To be honest I did not get much of a choice when discussing it, as no one was willing to compromise with me over it. It was a case of 'No one else can do it, you'll need to do it, because he can't be left on his own.'

@Oldernotwiser So did I at the time, find it difficult to believe I mean, but like I say, no one was willing to compromise over it with me. My dad's argument was that his job was more important than mine, as I was only in retail.

I'm sure I seem stupid or whatever else people would like to call me and that is fine. I was stupid for giving up a job to take on care of someone else. -_-

Thanks for taking the time to reply guys, it's appreciated.

jfdi

Just tell them (the JCP) that you had to resign to care for your Grandad, and once other arrangements were in place you decided to accept the offer to return to your job, but that the place had now closed.

Make sure you give dates of 1) Resignation date 2) Last day worked 3) last day paid to 4) Date you contacted them (or tried to!) again & found shop closed.

I'd think the JCP would pay you from your date of claim as long as it's after 4). They'll know the shop has closed - that's their job! - & at least you tried! You'd still be out of work now, whether you'd stayed or not.

And good luck with the jobhunting.

Parva

Be aware also that things usually move very slowly when applying for jobseekers allowance and you may be down to your last few pennies but this won't speed things up with them. We can debate whether what you have done is right or wrong and speculate on what may happen for as long as you like but you must get on the phone to them this morning and get those wheels turning! If you do nothing else today do at least ensure that you phone them up and get the application process started.