JSA benefit and sanctions

abiGS789

Hi. Sorry if I've put this under the wrong forum/heading- I wasn't sure.

Can the Jobcentre force me (under threat of benefit sanctions) to apply for or accept a job that would leave me financially destitute? I'm a single person living alone and basically I need £800 per month to break-even after adding up all my essential living expenses. I currently have a volunteer job twice weekly and I want to work but I'm finding it difficult to find a job with 37.5 hours (or near to that)

I'll accept NMW as I've told the Jobcentre before. (I can survive on NMW x 37.5hours p/w) My JSA advisor told me I must take any job even if it's part-time with a monthly wage of £500-£600. That would leave me £200-£300 short every month! Is this correct?

Thanks, Abi

Indie_Kid

You may still get some housing and /or council tax support if you work part time?

abiGS789

Thanks. Yes I believe if I work p/t 16 hours or under then I can get additional support like you mentioned. My JSA advisor keeps giving me jobs with hours in the region of 18-25 hours per week at NMW. I've explained this would not cover my basic expenses. I'd really be worse off. I don't also know much about the whole benefit system tbh. Can they sanction me even though taking that job would leave me worse off?

sniggings

you should get tax credits if you work at least 30 hours a week or 16 if disabled.

The rule is, you have to take a job if you are going to be better off working that benefits.

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp

if you work less than 30 hours, then you still could claim some housing benefit.

If you are getting £71 a week in JSA all you really have to do if find a job for more than that and you will be better off, so would have to take the job, and as said you could then also claim housing/benefit and or tax credits.

abiGS789

Thank you sh1305 and sniggings for your replies x

patman99

What is to stop you applying for the job and, if you get the interview, if they ask you what you will be doing in a years time, you can reply 'working for a decent wage elsewhere'. That should make sure you don't get the job.

rogerblack

patman99 wrote: »

What is to stop you applying for the job and, if you get the interview, if they ask you what you will be doing in a years time, you can reply 'working for a decent wage elsewhere'. That should make sure you don't get the job.

Intentionally throwing the job interview may, if you are found out, lead to a lengthy JSA sanction.

sniggings

patman99 wrote: »

What is to stop you applying for the job and, if you get the interview, if they ask you what you will be doing in a years time, you can reply 'working for a decent wage elsewhere'. That should make sure you don't get the job.

like it :beer: these interviewers ask these questions and clearly they don't want the truth :rotfl:

sniggings

rogerblack wrote: »

Intentionally throwing the job interview may, if you are found out, lead to a lengthy JSA sanction.

telling the truth is not throwing the interview away, or are you suggesting lieing is a condition of claiming JSA?

rogerblack

sniggings wrote: »

telling the truth is not throwing the interview away, or are you suggesting lieing is a condition of claiming JSA?

No.
However, if JSA asks the employer about why they didn't give you the job, the employer tells them that it was due to the person basically stating that they didn't want the job, a sanction is not unlikely.

This could be either 'not actively seeking work' - which is 4 weeks for a first failure, or 'refusal/failure to apply for, or accept if offered a suitable job without good reason'. (13 weeks)

Can this be appealed - yes.

sniggings

rogerblack wrote: »

No.
However, if JSA asks the employer about why they didn't give you the job, the employer tells them that it was due to the person basically stating that they didn't want the job, a sanction is not unlikely.

Can this be appealed - yes.

that's a little different to the post you quoted in your reply.

I agree if you are rude etc but not in the example we were talking about here, and it was clear we were only have a laugh.

You need to laugh with the way JSA/ESA claimants are being treated with this Government, or many of us would be ill with stress.