Covid support grants and JSA ( Job Seekers Allowance)

Eltel07

Hi,

I have applied for and met the New Job Seekers Allowance, however I have caught COVID and I am having to self isolate.

I noted that the official Gov site advises that if you are claiming income based job seekers allowance you may qualify to help via the £500 grant from your local council.

Upon applying for the grant its been rejected for the reasons below.

My application was rejected as I am not employed or unemployed.

Seems a little confusing, why say in one hand claim ( even thought the online claim form does not cater for JSA), on an official Gov URL only for local government to reject the claim.

What are the rule here?

thanks

Terry

Eltel07

Further to the above...it seems to qualify you need to meet all three of these below....

·         * asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because they’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive

·         * employed or self-employed

·         unable to work from home and will lose income as a result and

·         * currently receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

It seems daft that if your seeking a job your not working, but you cant find a job because your isolating, you cant get ESA as your claiming JSA, you cant seek universal credit as your already on JSA.

No wonder red tapes the winner, all you want if some help whilst incarcerated at home.

k12479

Eltel07 said:

...but you cant find a job because your isolating...

Look and apply for jobs using the phone and internet whilst isolating.

Andy_L

You can get JSA while working if you  work <16 hours a week

Eltel07

Perhaps I am missing something, I know I can claim JSA whilst in work? but if you have to isolate until you have a clear test result not just the ten days, it can go on longer.

If your on JSA you have to agree to attend an interview within a time frame, so If I am isolating how can I attend? Making cals and applications yes but if you get a reply you cant attend can you

Caz3121

Eltel07 said:

but if you have to isolate until you have a clear test result not just the ten days, it can go on longer.

you isolate for 10 days....only more if you still have symptoms at the end of 10 days (and less if you test negative)
II expect many companies will do initial interviews on the telephone, by the time they get round to face to face interviews for the short list you should be well clear

poppy12345

You are claiming New Style JSA which isn't means tested. Part of the criteria is Income Related JSA, which is means tested.

However, if you're not claiming one of the means tested benefits listed you may still qualify if you meet all other crtieria listed. See the bold part of the bottom of the copy and paste.

 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme-claiming-financial-support/claiming-financial-support-under-the-test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme

Who can apply

You may be eligible for a £500 payment to support you during self-isolation if you live in England and you:

• have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app because you have tested positive for COVID-19; or
• have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app because you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and you are not exempt from self-isolation; and
• have responded to messages from NHS Test and Trace and have provided any legally required information, such as details of your close recent contacts
• are employed or self-employed
• are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result of self-isolating
• are currently receiving or are the partner of someone in the same household who is receiving, at least one of the following benefits:
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • income-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit
  • Pension Credit

If you are not on one of these benefits, you might still be eligible for a £500 discretionary payment if all the following apply:

• you meet all the other criteria listed above
• you’re on a low income
• you will face financial hardship as a result of self-isolating

Your local council will tell you what counts as low income and financial hardship, and whether you are eligible.

Eltel07

The local  council wasn't interested about anything other than being in employment or self employed

LaDerniereSemaine

Eltel07 said:

The local  council wasn't interested about anything other than being in employment or self employed

Which sounds entirely correct to me.

The purpose of these loans is to top up the income of people on already low incomes who will presumably end up on SSP whilst off sick.

It is not intended to top up the incomes of pure benefit claimants who will be completely unaffected financially by COVID self-isolation requirements.

poppy12345

Eltel07 said:

The local  council wasn't interested about anything other than being in employment or self employed

Yup and i totally understand that. You were claiming JSA and continued to claim it while you were self islotating so you didn't lose any money.
If your JSA stopped while you were isolating then you could have claimed New style ESA, which pays the same amount as the JSA.

Eltel07 said:

Perhaps I am missing something, I know I can claim JSA whilst in work?

Yes you can if you work less than 16 hours per week. However, there's a £5 per week disregard for earnings and anything more than this your JSA will reduce £1 for £1.

Eltel07

LaDerniereSemaine said:

Eltel07 said:

The local  council wasn't interested about anything other than being in employment or self employed

Which sounds entirely correct to me.

The purpose of these loans is to top up the income of people on already low incomes who will presumably end up on SSP whilst off sick.

It is not intended to top up the incomes of pure benefit claimants who will be completely unaffected financially by COVID self-isolation requirements.

Sadly if you lose your job, then go the JSA route, have your 1st phone interview, then catch COVID, then you find you cant get the support grant, you cant get the ESA as you have already applied for JSA, your are in a rock and a hard place, JSA payments can take weeks.

As (New) JSA is based on you previously being in work within the last 2yrs and paying National Insurance, its more an entitlement to help and advice, as that's what you need most especially at 62.

Back my point, Support Payments also have a discretionary option but councils rarely acknowledge this.

I suppose its a Red Tape thing.