Jsa (first payment nightmare)!

apprentice2012

Hi all sorry to bare you with this but i need help and/or advice...

I phoned the processing centre this morning who kindly informed that my first payment would be for £73.10 --- i was like !!!!!! i asked if i was expected to live on this for 2 weeks ( next sign on is 22/09/2015 payday 3days later) he said yes!!!!
I put the claim in on 26/08/2015 i had a short term benefit advance thingy for £50 to cover me and will pay a small amount over time to pay it back, and signed on tues 08/09/2015 he said the government dont pay for the first 7 days anymore and its tough. I cant live on £73.10 for 2 weeks. Is this right, or wrong, what can i do. can i claim hardship money/crisis loan. i havnt been on beneifts for a while so dont know how it works now.

The job centre was most unhelpful and im hitting brick walls.

John. x:mad:

tomtontom

That is correct, the first seven days are waiting days. Have you applied for housing benefit? No savings from when you were working?

apprentice2012

No savings or anything - im stuck with no money theyve given me 1 weeks to live on for 2 weeks this surely isnt legal!!

Stevie_Palimo

Don't know the exact amount of benefits that is payable under JSA and the likes but it sounds about right, If it is too low an amount to live off this should be encouragement enough to seek employment and people often say there are no jobs but if you are willing to accept even stop gap jobs and look further afield then you can normally find something.

apprentice2012

Im not posting regarding getting a job - i am excelling in job searches (according to my advisor) i am putting in 100% effort, but this takes time. Im asking about whether they can legally give me £73.10 for 2 weeks to live on.

Stevie_Palimo

apprentice2012 wrote: »

Im not posting regarding getting a job - i am excelling in job searches (according to my advisor) i am putting in 100% effort, but this takes time. Im asking about whether they can legally give me £73.10 for 2 weeks to live on.

I was not having a go at, The reason they pay this is to also encourage you to get into work quickly that and the huge benefit bill they wish to reduce, It matters not that you can live off of the amount as someone in a moment of wisdom presumes this figure is sufficient.

xylophone

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/news/jsa-and-esa-waiting-days/

I suppose the rationale is that you are meant to be living on the current month's salary from the job you left?

apprentice2012

No ive just come out of prison lol! if that helps

scootw1

It's all very well saying its to encourage people to find work quickly but even the quickest off the mark will have to wait a couple of weeks for interview usually and even longer still if DBS checks are required before even starting work never mind getting your first pay packet.

Stevie_Palimo

scootw1 wrote: »

It's all very well saying its to encourage people to find work quickly but even the quickest off the mark will have to wait a couple of weeks for interview usually and even longer still if DBS checks are required before even starting work never mind getting your first pay packet.

Well I never put the system in place and am just giving my view as to why I believe it is a low amount, I know I could not live on 30 odd quid a week that's for sure.

tomtontom

What costs do you need to cover, and what have you done with the £50 you already had? People do manage, you're just going to have to budget very carefully.