JSA and HMAF Reserve Services

ch5416

I was recently made redundant and have found myself in the position of being unemployed for the first time ever, but at the time of redundancy, I was well into the process of re-enlisting into what is now the Army Reserve. I've tried searching on interweb and phoning the Job Centre plus number on the gov.uk website, but I've so far found nothing really of any help.

My question is: How exactly does service in the Army Reserve (or any of HMAF reserve services for that matter) affect my JSA? If possible, I'm looking for full nuts and bolts/minutia/spotter level info please.

I know that this has been asked about before, but the thread is 6 or 7 years old and I know legislation has moved on since then.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Alice_Holt

Some info here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/armed-forces-and-veterans/how-reserve-forces-training-can-affect-benefits/

pmlindyloo

In view of the above link it might be useful to find out first how much you will be paid during training.

ch5416

Thanks. I'm really hoping that this unemployed thing won't last long so it won't be an issue for any length of time. So far, it looks as though I still may be heavily penalised for JSA, but I don't know how this will affect housing benefit and council tax benefit either.

[Deleted User]

ch5416 wrote: »

Thanks. I'm really hoping that this unemployed thing won't last long so it won't be an issue for any length of time. So far, it looks as though I still may be heavily penalised for JSA, but I don't know how this will affect housing benefit and council tax benefit either.

I suspect the answer is to speak to the DWP and your local authority they will have the definitive answer to both questions

ceecee1

Current guidance

Reserve Forces
88. Army Reserve members and other reservists may be required to:
attend regular drill nights;
attend first training or annual camp;
take part in other training activities; or
be called up to active duty.
89. Claimants engaged in their activities as reservists are treated as not in remunerative work regardless of the number of hours undertaken. They are also entitled to a weekly £20 earnings disregard.
90. In JSA (IB) cases, if the claimant or their partner has other employment, £20 is the maximum disregard allowable for each week work is declared, except where the claimant is attending annual camp. See DMG Volume 5, chapter 26 for further information.
Drill nights
91. Reservists, who attend drill nights, receive pay for each night they attend. Drill night pay must be declared and taken into account as part-time earnings, including any expenses incurred, subject to the £20 earnings disregard per week.
Annual Training Camp
92. Army Reserve members and other reservists are required to attend a period of up to 15 days (or up to 43 days for new recruits in the first year) at training camp each year. They can be treated as being available for and actively seeking employment for the duration of the training period, and will have Good Cause for failing to attend any interviews during the period. See the Labour market Conditions Guide for further information.
Labour Market Easements
93. JSA claimants who attend “first training/annual continuous training”, whether in GB or abroad, are treated as being available for and actively seeking work for the duration of their training. They are also considered to have good cause for failing to attend their WSR.
Treatment of Earnings
94. The rules on attribution of earnings for claimants who are members of a reserve force have to be taken into account over a period of time equal to the period of training days.
95. This is for the period of annual continuous training for a maximum of 15 days in any calendar year or for their first year of training for a maximum of 43 days in a year which begins with their first day of training

ch5416

That's magic, thanks. Not as lenient as I'd hoped or been give the impression of, but it gives me something to work with. Thanks again.