Pre booked holiday but now claiming JSA

bluffer

Hi

I have tried a search but there dont seem to be any recent answers to this question as some friends are giving me different answers.

Last year I had booked a 3 week holiday next month but have now been laid off. ( the holiday insurance i got doesnt cover unemployment and so close to the departure date I would get virtually nothing back if I cancelled )

The most recent posts suggest that as I will be abroad ( spain ) I cant claim JSA even though almost all the work I am currently doing looking for a new job is online which I will be doing while away anyway, so wont be doing that much different. Is that right or am I entitled to the holiday and payments?

thanks

Bogalot

That is correct, you are not entitled to JSA whilst on holiday. Even if you can search online you cannot reasonably attend an interview within 24 hours.

When you return you can do a rapid reclaim.

bluffer

yeh thats what i thought. it was actually confirmed today at the job centre. she said they would start me with weekly signing on but as she was on holiday next week it would be two weeks so I had to let them know.


funny how they can change the rules when it suits them!

thanks

Undervalued

bluffer wrote: »

yeh thats what i thought. it was actually confirmed today at the job centre. she said they would start me with weekly signing on but as she was on holiday next week it would be two weeks so I had to let them know.


funny how they can change the rules when it suits them!

thanks

Sorry but I don't see how that is relevant.

If you want to claim JSA you have to be immediately available for work, that is the rule. So, you either stay at home, job search and collect your JSA. Or you go on holiday, go without the money and claim when you get back.

Yes it is unfortunate that you would effectively lose the holiday you have paid for but, without insurance, that money has been spend whether you go or not.

LittleMax

Bogalot wrote: »

That is correct, you are not entitled to JSA whilst on holiday. Even if you can search online you cannot reasonably attend an interview within 24 hours.

When you return you can do a rapid reclaim.

Just to clarify - you are entitled to JSA whilst on holiday but only within the UK. You have to fill in a form confirming where you will be staying and what you will be doing during that period to look for work. Also, that should you be offered an interview or work that you will return for these.

TELLIT01

bluffer wrote: »

yeh thats what i thought. it was actually confirmed today at the job centre. she said they would start me with weekly signing on but as she was on holiday next week it would be two weeks so I had to let them know.


funny how they can change the rules when it suits them!

thanks

They haven't changed the rules regarding holiday abroad when claiming JSA. How often you have to sign on is down to the discretion of the Job Centre staff. Claimants don't have to sign on between Christmas and New Year or if their signing day falls on a Bank Holiday either.