What unemployment benefit can I receive?

OM123

I just wonder if I can receive advice about what I should do about the following:
I am currently seeking my first paid job, part time or full time. I am over 18 and have graduated University. I am currently having support with a employment specialist and we have been dropping CVs to local businesses, been to a interview and I have applied for work online so actively seeking work. But it is taking much longer than expected and I'll be frank to say I have a mild diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome which has slowed things a little because of anxiety related issues. But now I am running out of money and my employment specialist is even unsure about what unemployment benefit I should be claiming.

What exactly should I be claiming in my current situation and will I likely not receive it for a significant time? I don't know whether to apply for JSA or ESA and I am unsure I understand the process.

Thank you for any advice.

BAFE

Could you take a job in care/retail/hospitality whilst you look for something else?. There are usually lots of vacancies in those areas.

What was your degree in?

elsien

If you're looking for work you should be claiming JSA. ESA is a sickness benefit for people who are too unwell to work. (Unless you are in a universal credit area.) JSA usually gets paid fairly quickly. What is your housing situation - do you pay rent to a landlord or are you living with family?

More information here.
https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance

Alice_Holt

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/jobseekers-allowance-jsa/before-you-claim-jsa/check-if-you-can-get-jsa/

Or if you are in a Universal Credit area - https://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/

OM123

BAFE wrote: »

Could you take a job in care/retail/hospitality whilst you look for something else?. There are usually lots of vacancies in those areas.

What was your degree in?

I believe there is some retail vacancies nearby, yes. And I studied a Music Production degree. As where I'm based is quite rural there is not much opportunity locally relating to what I studied.

OM123

elsien wrote: »

If you're looking for work you should be claiming JSA. ESA is a sickness benefit for people who are too unwell to work. (Unless you are in a universal credit area.) JSA usually gets paid fairly quickly. What is your housing situation - do you pay rent to a landlord or are you living with family?

Ah I see now, that's good to know the difference for those two. I live in what's called a 'Live Service Area' and I live with my family.

Catnip63

If it's a live service area you would be claiming universal credit. Very very difficult to get a backdated claim so advise you go online as soon as possible gov.uk and make a claim