JSA - Signing on day

Johntea

I yesterday finally managed to register for contribution based JSA (exceed the savings limit for income based) and they have arranged an appointment for tomorrow at my local job centre to sort out documentation, come up with a job seeker agreement etc.

Now my only question is how flexible are they with the sign on day / time, next week I actually have a job interview on Tuesday which will take up most of the day as it involves travelling etc so I wouldn't be able to make any appointments then but future Tuesdays wouldn't be an issue (unless of course I get other interviews)

On Thursdays however I have my driving lessons, 1.5 hours usually at 10am - 11:30 although can vary slightly depending if my instructor has any tests etc - so if my sign on day is a Thursday can I specify a time myself? My instructor is usually quite busy the rest of the week so I would like to stick to my Thursday morning slot if possible! (And I need to pass my test to widen the field of jobs I can apply for!)

Many thanks

Mersey_2

Signing dates are usually fortnightly and the day is determined by your NI number.


But, yes - 'good reason' for not attending includes a medical appointment, interview, illness etc (there's a dozen others).

mro

Johntea wrote: »

I yesterday finally managed to register for contribution based JSA (exceed the savings limit for income based) and they have arranged an appointment for tomorrow at my local job centre to sort out documentation, come up with a job seeker agreement etc.

Now my only question is how flexible are they with the sign on day / time, next week I actually have a job interview on Tuesday which will take up most of the day as it involves travelling etc so I wouldn't be able to make any appointments then but future Tuesdays wouldn't be an issue (unless of course I get other interviews)

On Thursdays however I have my driving lessons, 1.5 hours usually at 10am - 11:30 although can vary slightly depending if my instructor has any tests etc - so if my sign on day is a Thursday can I specify a time myself? My instructor is usually quite busy the rest of the week so I would like to stick to my Thursday morning slot if possible! (And I need to pass my test to widen the field of jobs I can apply for!)

Many thanks

They're not flexible, your signing day will be fixed & allocated according to National Insurance number, you are expected to attend interviews so rearranging/not attending should not be problem as long as you have proof then doing late sign-on, but best to tell them before.

Other appointments you may be expected to rearrange unless they are essential, cannot be rearranged or are emergencies.

Always best to have proof if possible to avoid problems, as it can depend on advisor & interpretation.

Don't think driving lesson would pass muster, as it is none of those, like it wouldn't at work.

moneysaving2016

your day is determined by your ni number and the time of your appointment will be decided by your coach they may be able to give you an afternoon appointment if you ask but its not always possible.
If you have a valid reason to miss your appointment such as a job interview you can agree to sign on the next day or next available day but your next payment will be delayed by however many days late you sign on.

Mr.Generous

it should all be pretty rigid, but the advisors get a hard time from quite a few of the customers. if you attend and talk to them nicely, show them you are trying to get a job and ask for some help re sign on day, they might well help you.