Two points: Waiting days and Commuting as Job Seeker...

daleym

My first question is regarding 'waiting days', the first 3 days of a JSP/claim (job seeking period.) I started claiming in August, and of course had to take the first 3 days unpaid (which equates to £12.48). In December, having found a 0-hour contract, and also having worked more than 16 hours, I then was told I had to sign off. (For 3 days' work.) 4 days later, I had to sign on again. My question is do I have to spend another 3 waiting days? The legislation is not clear at all, and doesn't clarify whether it applies to reclaimants. It seems unfair, as I've basically been penalised (Around 10% of what I earned that week) for having found work.

I also have a salaried part-time position (2 hours on Sunday) singing in a chapel choir. The cost of travel is £20 (£18 Dundee - Edinburgh, £2 Edinburgh PlusBus ticket) , and my earnings are £35.41/week, which translates to £15.41 of actual income. My income-based JSA is £29.11 weekly (but need to factor in £4.75 bus ticket every fortnight to sign on). So my actual spendable weekly income is: £15.41+ £26.73/week.

So my 2nd question is if there is any way to persuade the decision maker (DM as the DWP calls it) that they should disregard £20 of my income, or to assist me in the cost of public transport? I know they won't pay for me to travel to the job centre in Arbroath, I've asked, so that's £4.75/fortnight I just have to stick with. I know there is a Job Centre Plus rail card, but it's more for people in London, as my 16-25 railcard has a better discount.

anamenottaken

Is the payment for your chorister work a salary or an honorarium? That is, are you an employee of the chapel?

daleym

Yes, I'm an employee. I'm a lay clerk.

jacques_chirac

There are no waiting days in the case of a rapid reclaim. If you are single and not disabled the earnings disregard is £5 per week.

tomterm8

daleym wrote: »

So my 2nd question is if there is any way to persuade the decision maker (DM as the DWP calls it) that they should disregard £20 of my income, or to assist me in the cost of public transport?

No, there's no way to do that.

persa

daleym wrote: »

I also have a salaried part-time position (2 hours on Sunday) singing in a chapel choir. The cost of travel is £20 (£18 Dundee - Edinburgh, £2 Edinburgh PlusBus ticket) , and my earnings are £35.41/week, which translates to £15.41 of actual income.

If you book in advance, it's usually £4 to £8 each way on the Megabus for this route, maybe £1 if you're really lucky - plus a 50p booking fee. Obviously depends on exactly where in Dundee/Edinburgh you're travelling, plus timing, but have you looked into this as a possible cheaper option than the train?