Should I be signing on?

ferry

Just wanted to run this past you and might be a question for benefit section.
I am currently "employed" by an employment agency who place me with a company on an as and when they need me basis so my work pattern can be quite varied but normally means a full week.

I signed off when I was taken on by the agency as I was told that it would be regular work but clearly not the case.

Can I claim jsa on this basis and how far back can I backdate a claim for?

Is it possible to leave a claim open for the periods of no work?
Thanks as usual

Seadogs_2010

Ive been in your situation and I know how you feel.
Say for example you worked Mon-Wed and was told Wednesday you were not in Thurs and Fri then fill out the online application on direct gov to claim job seekers.
If again you find work ring up the job center and tell them and your claim will end and you will be paid what you are owed by the job center. If again you only work four days and sign on again they do what is called a rapid re-claim so you just go back on to job seekers and get benefit the next day after your last days employment
Hope this helps and good luck

Seadogs_2010

I think you can back date a claim for three months

jacques_chirac

You can sign on if you are working less than sixteen hours a week. They may backdate up to three months if you have good cause for not claiming earlier, and you can demonstrate that you were jobseeking over this period - not being aware that you were eligible is not deemed to be good reason.