JSA - unable to sign on this week, what to do?

princessdon

They really won't mind - you are still available in the UK. I regularly get students scared over exam dates or guest speakers etc that aren't their normal day but JC+ don't ever mind at all. You are doing for something that helps and they encourage it.

Really - don't lie, tell the truth and they'll be fine. The only thing they may concern is that you knew the dates of this months and months ago and have only informed them now.

adonis10

princessdon wrote: »

They really won't mind - you are still available in the UK. I regularly get students scared over exam dates or guest speakers etc that aren't their normal day but JC+ don't ever mind at all. You are doing for something that helps and they encourage it.

Really - don't lie, tell the truth and they'll be fine. The only thing they may concern is that you knew the dates of this months and months ago and have only informed them now.

Well lets hope so.

No I didn't, I booked these exams 1.5 weeks ago.

princessdon

Ok - then they won't even give you a lecture on the lack of notice then, they pay for people to attend "relevant" training courses that have a direct impact on employment they certainly don't mind people doing them (even more so if they paid).

They will probably ask for proof so a letter or if not they will contact the tranining provider (I know I have a form that I fill in)

adonis10

princessdon wrote: »

Ok - then they won't even give you a lecture on the lack of notice then, they pay for people to attend "relevant" training courses that have a direct impact on employment they certainly don't mind people doing them (even more so if they paid).

They will probably ask for proof so a letter or if not they will contact the tranining provider (I know I have a form that I fill in)

What would they pay for? I've got to travel 140 miles round trip to the assessment centre.

I've got email confirmation of the assessment date and times, would this do?

They'll still dock me 1 week's JSA for the sake of 2 days, though? This is the part that doesn't sit well with me. If one takes two days leave from work, the employer doesn't dock them 5 days, do they?!

princessdon

They shouldn't dock you ANYTHING but they won't pay eiher (has to be agreed in advance and only certain courses are allowed - always worth asking).

Best advice - Ring and by "hypothetical"

I am doing a DL course what would happen if the exams were on a sign on day?

If they say you need 2 weeks notice etc then take a sickie

If they say it's no bother, tell them you have arranged for XX

It's the lack of notice (as in the advisor will be spare if can't schedule than anything else)

adonis10

princessdon wrote: »

They shouldn't dock you ANYTHING but they won't pay eiher (has to be agreed in advance and only certain courses are allowed - always worth asking).

Best advice - Ring and by "hypothetical"

I am doing a DL course what would happen if the exams were on a sign on day?

If they say you need 2 weeks notice etc then take a sickie

If they say it's no bother, tell them you have arranged for XX

It's the lack of notice (as in the advisor will be spare if can't schedule than anything else)

Done. The guy said that they'll just re-arrange the appointment but the payment amount isn't affected, just the payment date.

Will have to call back and hope to speak to someone else, though, because I was hypothetical and said "might have the exam in two weeks on my signing day", it would have sounded rather strange if I suddenly said "actually it's tomorrow"!

adonis10

Informed my local job centre and they said that I can drop in my forms (I am on the drop and go scheme) on Friday, only change being that I will be paid a couple of days late.

Hopefully there will be no other problems, but we will see!

Arg

As far as I recall you could take some time off to do a short course without it affecting benefits.

princessdon

Glad it worked out

busy_mom_2

See, not all jobcentre staff totally useless.