How does being an on call emergency service staff affect jsa and council tax support

happenstance

Hello,

I'm thinking about joining the on call emergency services.

It is 63 hours a week on call, 10ph when called out and 1600 pound a year.

Can I still claim jsa or council tax support? Or will it get very messy if I'm called out one or two hours a week?

dippy3103

I should imagine JSA may be difficult from the availability perspective.

TELLIT01

You do need to speak to JSA and your council to find out exactly how this will work.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Which emergency service?

happenstance

OK thanks I will email them.

Fire service. On call for 63 hours a week. Usually when asleep

tomtontom

You can be treated as available for work when on call as a retained fire fighter. You would still be expected to fulfil your job seeking agreement.

Income from your work would be deducted from your JSA, subject to a £5 disregard.

I would point out that recruitment for retained firefighters is highly competitive and you'll be expected to pass a medical. I'm not sure how you'll reconcile your need to have bare feet with the PPE requirements!