If i sign off JSA voluntary?

Widelats

If i sign off, without a job to go to, will i still get housing/council tax benefit? I am tired of this "work coach" who seems to be doing all he can to trip me up, asking for evidence of everything, it is getting on my nerves too much - i want to sign off and i will.

Any other benefit i can claim when i sign off?

kaidewb

No.....?, your JSA is linked to your housing benefit. I've recentley been sanctioned and have had my housing benefit stopped.
You SHOULD be entiteled to housing benefit regardless as you can claim for it as long as you earn below a certain amount a year. (I think it's £18,000).

Widelats

So i will be homeless then, that right?

kaidewb

i'll say your best option is to call your local housing office to find out or visit a Citizens Advice. (Your local housing office should have one)

Widelats

Yes i will call them. I thought JSA was every 2 weeks sign on, but this "work coach" is calling me in every Monday, he is really getting on my nerves.

nannytone_2

housing benefit is calculated on household income and not entitlement to other benefits.

your claim would likely be suspended until you provide information of household income.

your work coach could make you attend daily, so weekly isn't such a hardship ( especially if you don't work ... you have time aplenty to attend)

housing benefit may well be suspicious that you are signing off without any other visible means of support and so will scrutinise you claim, meaning it will take longer to process.

if you become homeless, it will be classed as intentional because you will be choosing to deprive yourself of an income, and so you would receive no help at all

missbiggles1

Widelats wrote: »

Yes i will call them. I thought JSA was every 2 weeks sign on, but this "work coach" is calling me in every Monday, he is really getting on my nerves.

That's no reason to say you're too ill to work or to try to claim ESA.

Mersey_2

Yes and no ie it depends.


If you end your JSA claim (to start work) you'll receive HB & CTB for a further 4 weeks as extended benefit.


If you end your JSA claim to go self-employed, you can claim Working Tax Credits.


You can - as you suggest - merely sign and return the booklet in the post to the JCP, closing a JSA claim, without providing details of any job etc. But this wouldn't automatically entitle you to any other benefits, as JSA is a gateway benefit (to HB, CTS, free prescriptions and so on).



You could then claim Housing Benefit/LHA direct from your local authority - based on low/no income - but be aware that this can take months to process.

JSA signings are usually fortnightly, but often become weekly for eg 13 weeks for long term claimants. You can request a different advisor by writing to the manager.

Bananas123

you can't pick who you see at the JC, and you are obviously going to have to supply evidence ????

if you are not actively looking for work, then you are not eligable for "JOB SEEKERS" allowance.

> they need evidence, to enable you to recieve the benefit ?

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you could make a complaint about the person you are seeing, but you would have to have evidence that they were discriminating / not doing their job propely (it sounds like they are just doing their job ?).

you could also make a request to see someone else, but if declined, then it may get back to the person you are seeing currently etc.

also you can sign off with circumstance as to why you are no longer able to "actively" look for work (to look after someone / whatever), but you obviously don't get JSA.

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it would be best, to continue with the JSA, imho.