JSA and pregnancy

Ihaveadream_3

I'm 28 weeks pregnant and have been claiming JSA for the last three months due to my partner having to claim IB. I was not allowed to claim IS as I was classed as able to work. We had not previously claimed any benefits whatsoever.

Last week I received a Back to Work letter and have an interview tomorrow. I am so worried. Should I be honest and tell them that I am no longer looking for work? I am not a dishonest person but we could not afford to live without my JSA but I know that JSA is and should only paid for people looking for work. I'm really stressed about the whole situation.

Thanks for reading.

dmg24

HI IHAD,

Welcome to MSE.

Unfortunately, if you admit that you are not looking for work, they will stop your claim.

Whilst I would not normally advocate lying, I would go in and get the interview over as quickly as possible, answering their questions with standard answers (generally just say 'Yes' to everything). It is very unlikely that they will find an employer who would take you on at the moment, so I would stay on the route of pretending to look for work.

Best of luck x

ukdickie31

from the 29th week of pregnancy, you should stop claiming JSA. JSA isn't meant to be paid within 11 weeks of the due date of the baby. (availibility, actively seeking etc etc)

You may be fortunate and get JSA up to 29th week, but from then on you should be claimed for by your partner on his claim, on Incap and Income Support.

Ihaveadream_3

Thank you so much dmg24 & ukdickie31. I had my interview and they said the letters are sent automatically and did not take into account my pregnancy. I'm to sign on on Wednesday and then 'sign off' as I will then be exactly 29 weeks - my DH can then apparently claim IS on my behalf, which is exactly what you said, Dickie.

Thanks once again x