Jobseeker's Question

Robster88

I have a query which I hope someone may be able to answer.

I am on currently on jobseeker's allowance, but have just been offered a job. However, the job doesn't start until the end of Feb, as that is when the position becomes available. If I told the job centre that the job doesn't start until Feb will they stop my benefits immediately or pay them until the job starts?

I know that I will not be actively seeking work, and should therefore no longer be entitled to benefits, however if they stopped the benefits immediately it acts as a disincentive to being honest.

I am an honest person and so will tell the job centre about this upcoming job regardless of how it affects my benefits, but it seems unfair that I may have to go without any income until the job starts when if I was dishonest I would just not tell them about the job until it started.

Any thoughts?

martinthebandit

Just because you have a job offer starting in a few weeks time it doesn't stop you looking for a better one in the mean time, so you could be actively seeking work.

rogerblack

If you are not seeking work, you are not entitled to JSA.
There is no reason you can't seek work during the interim period, and you never know, it may be better paid!

Horseunderwater

All you can do is tell them the start date and ask if they can/will continue to pay you the JSA until then. You should get at least a 4 week run on, when you end the claim. Will the job be full time and well paid? If so you might be ok.

crabyducky

You can tell them, they won't stop your money as long as you still look for work. As by then the job may fall through.

miduck

Horseunderwater wrote: »

All you can do is tell them the start date and ask if they can/will continue to pay you the JSA until then. You should get at least a 4 week run on, when you end the claim. Will the job be full time and well paid? If so you might be ok.

The four week run on only applies if you continue to fulfil your JSAgreement until the time you start work (and assuming the claimant has had an active claim for six months).

im-lost

dont tell them, you arent starting work yet, you have no obligation to tell them of a job you may or may not start in a month or more, honesty is not the best policy.

By all means say you applied, went to an interview, and it went well and you're hopeful etc etc but don't bloody tell them, they will use it as a reason to stop your money

Continue to look for work, and sign on. until such a time that the job is definately srarting, ie the day before you start, and then sign off.

you have nothing to gain by telling them, and they have nothing to lose by not knowing.

xylophone

You may well have been offered a job but surely it is not yours until you have signed a contract?

Better to keep looking just in case and sign off when you have certainty?

slenderkitten

i wouldn't even say anything until you have done a weeks work to see if you like it even after the first day you may decide that you dont like it, if it was me and this was the case i would tell them not to pay me then it wouldn't affect your job seekers.

dont worry just cary on as normal and wait until a few days after starting before telling job centre.

miduck

slenderkitten wrote: »

i wouldn't even say anything until you have done a weeks work to see if you like it even after the first day you may decide that you dont like it, if it was me and this was the case i would tell them not to pay me then it wouldn't affect your job seekers.

dont worry just cary on as normal and wait until a few days after starting before telling job centre.

And what if you are due to sign on in that first week, or the job was applied for via the JCP, in which case the employer may tell them anyway? Nothing like marking yourself out as a liar!

ditzyat50

It boils down to needing to have enough money to get through the first working month, and you will be shooting yourself in the foot if you give the job center a start date because your benefit income will stop immediately and then what will you do? Its a case of being savvy and going through the motions of actively seeking work and accepting benefits. After all, who is to say that this job may not be withdrawn last minute. Sometimes you have to be a little flexible with what you feel is the honest thing to do and what is the best thing for you to do at this moment in time. I hope the job goes well and wish you all the best.