How will College affect Benefits.........

Bella198421

I'm on JSA at the moment and am thinking about going on a College course an NVQ in Business Admin and it will be 13 hrs a week with a work placement after Xmas. I want to carry on looking for Part time work, like an evening cleaning job or something at weekends, but I'm worried being on a course will affect my benefits and I'm also on Contributions based which stops in Novemeber.

Conor_3

Basically, you're not entitled to JSA whilst at College. It might be worth seeing if you can do the course via New Deal if you've been claiming for 6 months or more. You may be able to claim Income Support.

Bella198421

I was told by the college that has it is 13hrs it won't affect benefits, but still wasn't sure about whether it would or not. Does anyone know why it would, cos i'm not working am i? and I will still look for part time work and full time .

Conor_3

It affects benefits because you're not available for work which is one of the requirements of JSA.

Bella198421

But i read somewhere that you still have to be looking for full time work and if a job comes up you accept it and drop off the course. Anyone else know for sure, someone who is studying and on benefits.

Conor_3

Why not ask the jobcentre? Or is that too obvious?

C_Ronaldo

When i asked about JSA i was told you had to be at college for 16/17 hours a week and you have to be able to accept a job if your offered one, could you not work on your days off or could you not work once you have finished college for that day

Emmacw

Bella198421 wrote: »

But i read somewhere that you still have to be looking for full time work and if a job comes up you accept it and drop off the course. Anyone else know for sure, someone who is studying and on benefits.

To get JSA you have to be available for and actively seeking full time work. The work you look for has to be available in you local travel area and you have to have a realistic chance of finding that work.

You can do a part time college course whilst continuing to look for full time work but must inform the Jobcentre and be willing to give up the course and attend interviews immediately. You have to fill out a form and provide a copy of your college learning agreement.

Looking for a job to fit around daytime college whilst on JSA is not an option as it would mean you are restricting your chances of finding work (e.g. by not being available on college days)

Additionally, it sounds like you are going to hit 6months of unemp in Nov - if you are under 25 you will have to join the New Deal programme and attend various courses (mandatory) aimed at giving you the best of finding work sooner rather than later. Being at college does not stop you from being required to attend so be aware.

NB. The work placement will cause more problems as JSA may well deem you have notional earnings as the company are getting the benefit of your work there. The only "work" that usually does not affect JSA is voluntary work for a registered charity.

Again - need to speak to your local Jobcentre and possibly the JSA processing section (all benefit experts now in central locations NOT your local JCP)

regards

Emma

Bella198421

If I did a night time course would that be different? cos i could look for jobs in the day and attend Interviews as normal

Bella198421

Weekend's would be alright as well wouldn't they? if i did a course in the day time then. Do you have to tell the Job Centre about any Night time/weekend course's that you do? even if you're paying for it yourself.

Emmacw

Bella198421 wrote: »

Weekend's would be alright as well wouldn't they? if i did a course in the day time then. Do you have to tell the Job Centre about any Night time/weekend course's that you do? even if you're paying for it yourself.

You have to inform the Jobcentre of ANY change of circs which includes evening or w/end courses. Same form etc.

Again as long as you do not restrict your chances of finding work and you are studying under 16 hrs per week there shouldn't be a problem.

NB. In this day and age most jobs require weekend work and/or evening work so the same availability rules apply. E.g. if looking for retail work then need to be willing to give up course in evening and still apply for work that potentially clashes with your course.

I personally think its better to start the course and jinx yourself into getting a job (murphy's law applies) than to continue as unemp and not do anything extra. Also looks good to prospective employers that you are doing something extra with your time even if their job would require you to give up the course.

Good luck and I hope it works out!

Emma