Claiming JSA up to when I start work

AyJaydee

Hello, can anyone answer this for me.
I have been claiming contributions based JSA since last November, have been actively seeking work and keeping my Jobcentre adviser informed of my efforts. I am a skilled professional and suitable roles are few and far.
I have just been offered a full-time job, which I really want, and do not yet have a start date, but it looks like I will be starting in about 6 weeks time. In three weeks time I am going away on holiday for a week and so will be away on a signing-on date.
Someone close is telling me not to inform the Jobcentre of my offer until I start, because the Jobcenter may stop my benefit immediately. Is there any harm in telling the Jobcentre now and use this as good reason for not looking for work any more? (After all, I am starting soon with a big organisation. Why do I need to continue to look for a job?)
Also, concerning being on holiday and missing a signing day? I know that the rules say that I must be immediately available to start work and I cannot do this if I am out of the country.
What is the best way to manage this dilemma?
Thanks for any suggestions.

Torry_Quine

To continue getting JSA until you start work you do not sign off until the new job starts and until the in must comply with your job seekers agreement.

However if you are going to be out of the country then you have to sign off off of JSA as you cannot claim while out of the country for a holiday.

Well done on the job

AyJaydee

Thanks for the input Torry.
I shall go through the motions of looking for work, until I start. (getting ear bent at this end over this one)

[Deleted User]

AyJaydee wrote: »

After all, I am starting soon with a big organisation. Why do I need to continue to look for a job?)
Also, concerning being on holiday and missing a signing day? I know that the rules say that I must be immediately available to start work and I cannot do this if I am out of the country.
What is the best way to manage this dilemma?
Thanks for any suggestions.

In case the job offer falls through or checks aren't to the employers satisfaction, a good read of this board may show you that.
Never not leave yourself with a plan b as boring as it sounds, what if you even scooped yourself a better offer? What if you walk in on that first day and find it is then not what you were led to believe? My current employer was actually the one interview I turned down when I once thought I'd found the dream job oh dear! 5 days later I was meeting the job centre again after I'd let that one go, our paths crossed 4 months later spookily so it shows you can come back from anything if needs must.

You arrange to tell JCP+ the day you start new job, as you are going through the door, you want the postman delivering by recorded/signed for delivery, that form to close your claim that day.

Out of the country - Any claim should cease anyway and you need to resign on once home, feel free to ask an Advisor though and see what they say?

DCFC79

You don't have a start date yet so anything can happen between now and then, keep on looking for work.

Jess12

I to had this problem but I didn't tell them till I had signed that contract for my new job incase it all went wrong! So phone up JSA the day after you start your job and make sure you have that contract signed for protection. Well done for getting your new job!!!!