Back dating job seekers allowance

Nadine27

Last year I was claiming job seekers allowance up until September. I then started a part time course so I stopped claiming as I pressured I was unable to. I have just found out that as my course is under 16 hours, and I am willing to look for work I can begin to claim again.
My question is, would I be able to back date from September ?

Checkmate_2

If you can prove you've been given incorrect information then you can have your JSA backdated. Not knowing you can claim at the time isn't a valid reason.

wantsajob

Checkmate wrote: »

If you can prove you've been given incorrect information then you can have your JSA backdated. Not knowing you can claim at the time isn't a valid reason.

Seems rather fortunate for them both ways, as I'm sure they rarely give such advice in writing.

Checkmate_2

wantsajob wrote: »

Seems rather fortunate for them both ways, as I'm sure they rarely give such advice in writing.

A phone recording or a witness (not a friend or family) also works. But yes it is rather difficult to have JSA backdated, unless you attempted to contact the job centre but each time you were met with someone speaking in foreign language. JSA backdating rarely ever happens.