Payment of JSA when on training course

paul1867

Hi, Can anybody help please. my daughter who is claiming JSA advised the Job centre that she was going on a career related training course to increase her chances of getting a job. The course cost over £500 but she was able to get a grant for much of it from Genesis who clearly supported the idea. The course was very intensive one week on, one week off and one week on and a final exam to come later. In the week "off" there was much homework to do. Before she went she advised the Job Centre she would be on the course on the weeks she needed to sign on. She was told that this was not a problem by two members of staff and that she would continue to get JSA. A form was filled in clearly showing the two weeks seperated by the so called week " off". Needless to say while she was away on the course the JSA stopped. When she returned, the course was in Manchester, we are in North Wales 2 hours away,and she stayed with her brother in Manchester, she called the Job Centre and was told by a third member of staff that the JSA had been stopped as the two weeks had to be consecutive. I have looked up SI 1996 No207 Jobseeking and clause 14 (1) (a) "if he is participating as a full-time student in an employment-related course where participation by him has been approved before the course started by an employment officer, for a maximum of two weeks and one such course in any period of 12 months". I do not see where it says it has to be two consecutive weeks.

Can anybody advise please.

Thanks Paul1867

stevieglesga

paul1867 wrote: »

Hi, Can anybody help please. my daughter who is claiming JSA advised the Job centre that she was going on a career related training course to increase her chances of getting a job. The course cost over £500 but she was able to get a grant for much of it from Genesis who clearly supported the idea. The course was very intensive one week on, one week off and one week on and a final exam to come later. In the week "off" there was much homework to do. Before she went she advised the Job Centre she would be on the course on the weeks she needed to sign on. She was told that this was not a problem by two members of staff and that she would continue to get JSA. A form was filled in clearly showing the two weeks seperated by the so called week " off". Needless to say while she was away on the course the JSA stopped. When she returned, the course was in Manchester, we are in North Wales 2 hours away,and she stayed with her brother in Manchester, she called the Job Centre and was told by a third member of staff that the JSA had been stopped as the two weeks had to be consecutive. I have looked up SI 1996 No207 Jobseeking and clause 14 (1) (a) "if he is participating as a full-time student in an employment-related course where participation by him has been approved before the course started by an employment officer, for a maximum of two weeks and one such course in any period of 12 months". I do not see where it says it has to be two consecutive weeks.

Can anybody advise please.

Thanks Paul1867

If she did not attend the jobcentre for three weeks they may have classed the course as three weeks. She would have had to prove that she was actively seeking employment during "week off" which may be difficult given that you state that she had lots of "homework to complete". She can always appeal the decision and then an experienced decision maker would review the case