JSA claiming, been offered job but not starting for several months!

fitjosh

I've got this problem playing on my mind and I'm not sure what to do.

I'm currently claiming contribution based JSA since the start of the year. Not entitled to any other benefits.

I've been using universal job match to look for jobs as per my advisor at the job centre (It's the first time I've ever used universal job match and can honestly say it's rubbish! Full of spam, fake jobs with not much info just wanting to harvest your data).

Anyway, I have since received a call from my previous employer offering me a job with them, however the start date is not until May 2016. It's a really good company and I'm glad to be going back to them so really want the role. I've asked the obvious question about starting sooner rather then wait till May, but they have said no. The vacancy is only available from May, and have sent me a contract confirming this.

It's only January now...that's still 4 months away, I can't live off nothing until then!

So where do I stand with the job centre now? When I next have to sign on and update my advisor on my job hunting I plan on telling her what I've been offered. Will they right there and then sign me off, stop my JSA money and tell me you've got employment now so !!!!!! off, your not entitled to benefits now just to get me off the books with them?

Yes, technically I've found work...been offered a contract, but it's 4 months away till I start!
Ideally I would like to get a temporary job between now and May and am still looking online for this, but would still need some benefit! money till then.

So where do I stand with the JSA then? I've thought about not telling my advisor until nearer the time about my job offer, but know my company will be doing reference checks on me to check my wareabouts since I last worked for them (it's a condition of employment) so don't want them to approach the job centre, they find out I've got a job and accuse me of withholding information and get me in trouble! So I would rather be honest and upfront

Has anyone been in this situation and what should I do?

baza52

Tell them you have had an offer of a job.
As long as you continue to actively seek employment (to fill the gap before you start) then you will still get JSA paid.

surveyqueenuk

baza52 wrote: »

Tell them you have had an offer of a job.
As long as you continue to actively seek employment (to fill the gap before you start) then you will still get JSA paid.

Absolutely. Tell them about the job and let them know that you are still making every effort to find work, be it temporary or permanent, for the interim. Your JSA won't be affected at all. Congratulations btw!

EDIT: Just a thought, are there any "back to work" awards out there at all? Also, if you are getting HB then do check if your council give a little leeway for those starting new jobs.

Diary

There is nothing in legislation to say you have to tell DWP you have found work as long as you don't work and claim without telling them. Even when you do sign off you still don't have to say why.

If you tell them you've found a job DWP will almost certainly pay special attention to your job seeking activities until you sign off. Which could be unfair if you're sticking to the strict jsa rules about claiming.

There are advantages and disadvantages to telling DWP in advance of starting work.

Mersey_2

Good advice above.


Your last signing can be 13 days before you start work (but can't be 14 days+ in advance). It depends how your signing day falls. ie if your start date had been 1st Feb, you would have signed 'on' and 'off' at a JCP signing this week. You can also sign and post them the booklet or telephone.


You'll still be paid JSA & NICs up until the day before you start work. There's no £100 Job Grant any longer (it was abolished 3 years ago and in any event yo would had to have been in receipt of JSA for over 6 months), but the Flexible Support Fund can give eg 4 weeks' help with travel costs until your first monthly pay.