*Updated* Not entitled to JSA!

Abbafan1972

I have just started a claim for JSA and I had my first appointment on Tuesday where they issued me with my [STRIKE]humiliation[/STRIKE] signing on day/time, but the time they've given me is 3.05 and I have to pick up my daughter from school.

I have to go tomorrow at that time and then every 2 weeks. Luckily I've managed to get my Dad to do the school run tomorrow, but can I ask to change my time for future weeks?

busy_mom_2

Depends what hours you have agreed to be available for on you agreement. What normally happens when you are work in relation to the children and school. Do you have partner etc.....

Common sense would be if you would be relying on childcare when you work then they may change it, but if you have a partner or alternative childcare they may not.

Dippy1970

Just a word to the wise.. Saying signing is difficult at that time might be seen as you not being fully available for work. Not saying that you are just that they might see it that way.

rogerblack

Dippy1970 wrote: »

Just a word to the wise.. Saying signing is difficult at that time might be seen as you not being fully available for work. Not saying that you are just that they might see it that way.

Having childcare responsibilities is supposed to be an acceptable reason to vary your availability for work.
Especially if you are willing to pay for childcare if you get a job.

This is much more definite if you are a lone parent.

Abbafan1972

Well if I got a job where I finish say 4.00, my Dad would collect them and take them back to mine until I got back.

The same if I got an interview for 3.00, my Dad would pick them up.

No times were agreed for availability for work, he just said that part of the agreement is that I look for full time work (no chance!) and just passed me the booklet with the time on.

I have partner yes, but he doesn't get back from work till after 6.oo.

mummyroysof3

If your dad can do it then I would leave it as it is tbh

seven-day-weekend

(....... the agreement is that I look for full time work (no chance!) )

Have you agreed to look for full-time work but won't actually be doing so? This could end up with a sanction as you are not actually fulfilling your agreement. Then you would have no money.

Voyager2002

Best solution: tell them that if you find full-time work you would pay for childcare but at present it is difficult....

In any case, sign-on times change from week to week so you are unlikely to have this problem next time.

Abbafan1972

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

(....... the agreement is that I look for full time work (no chance!) )

Have you agreed to look for full-time work but won't actually be doing so? This could end up with a sanction as you are not actually fulfilling your agreement. Then you would have no money.

I am primarily looking for part-time work, but will consider full-time as I need the money tbh.

But I've since had a letter and have been to the Jobcentre today and I've been told I'm not entitled to JSA, so the above about me getting sanctioned and having no money now means diddly squat.

They've said it's because I don't have enough NI contributions. The letter says they have gone from tax year 2012-2013. I claimed JSA previously from Oct 2012 to Jan 2013 when I got a job and was working up until March 2014.

The letter says I can appeal, but not sure what to do now. There's no point really in going to the JC if I'm not entitled to anything!

mummyroysof3

Oh that's a shame no jumping through hoops though. Can you get any other benefits and cut spending while looking for job?

marliepanda

You are not entitled to contribution based, but should be entitled to income based (that is of course unless you have additional income or savings above £6000)