Jobseekers Allowance process

AbsolutelyClueless

Hi,

It has been a long time since I needed Jobseekers Allowance, in 2013 to be precise.

However, after nearly a decade in which I held two positions, I've had to resign from my most recent position due to struggles with my mental health.

Unfortunately, with my financial position I don't think I will have the time to really take control of my mental health struggles where I can take an extended break from working. So I feel I will have to apply for vacancies (whichever ones they may be as I feel I have to divert away from what I think I'm good at to holding down a job that pays well and I can maintain) soon.

Looking at jobseekers allowance, can anyone advise what the process is like if it has drastically changed to when I was signing on over a decade ago? Is it the fortnightly signing on still?

I've heard horror stories from people (some who are not I.T savvy having to electronise their job searching - not a problem for me incidentally - or having to constantly show what they are doing etc) but are the advisors stringent from the word go or they allow you space to try and find a job you are suited for?

Thanks

Spoonie_Turtle

AbsolutelyClueless said:

Hi,

It has been a long time since I needed Jobseekers Allowance, in 2013 to be precise.

However, after nearly a decade in which I held two positions, I've had to resign from my most recent position due to struggles with my mental health.

Unfortunately, with my financial position I don't think I will have the time to really take control of my mental health struggles where I can take an extended break from working. 

I can't really advise about JSA since my last experience with it is in about 2011/12 but you may wish to look into ESA (Employment and Support Allowance), which is for people with health conditions that affect their ability to work. 

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

You would need a fit note from your GP for when you start the claim.  A while after claiming you would receive a form to fill in and then later have an assessment, but you would not be required to look for work unless the outcome of the assessment is that you are fit for work - and even then if you feel the decision is wrong, you can challenge it.

Depending on your wider circumstances you could also possibly be entitled to some Universal Credit, with a fit note your work coach should only require of you what you can manage as they have direction to turn off work commitments.  But do a benefits calculation first, to see if it's worth applying. 
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

housebuyer143

You go online and apply, providing you have enough NI credits then you get new style jsa for 6 months max. 
It takes about 4 weeks to get your payment and the first week of unemployment isn't payable. 

poppy12345

housebuyer143 said:

You go online and apply, providing you have enough NI credits then you get income based jsa for 6 months max. 

No, it will be New style JSA. It's no longer possible to claim Income Based.

housebuyer143

poppy12345 said:

housebuyer143 said:

You go online and apply, providing you have enough NI credits then you get income based jsa for 6 months max. 

No, it will be New style JSA. It's no longer possible to claim Income Based.

That's what I meant. Income as in paid appropriate NI, but I'll edit it 

MusicGirl97

I am currently on JSA, due to come off it in January because you can only be on for 6 months. Hopefully I have full time work by then. 

Anyways, I didn’t wait a month for my first payment it was more like 2 and a half weeks from my first signing on date, can’t remember it being a month, I know UC takes a full month though. 

Tbh, in my job centre, they seem less strict with JSA. I only ever had to show them a job search (which were pictures of completed job applications and email responses) twice, the rest of the sign on appointments they didn’t ask to see anything at all! 

They will usually ask how the job search is going and if you’ve heard back from anywhere, for interviews etc. You’re legit sat there for 3 mins max most appointments. 

So please don’t be worried if you do choose to sign on JSA, the application is also easier online than UC is.

 If you are looking to get back into work sooner, I would sign onto JSA, because you’re constantly looking for work. However, if you do need to take more of a break but still want to find work in the long run, sign onto ESA, because it does seem you need a little bit of a break and you don’t want to stress yourself out too much given all you’ve been through lately. 

I wish you the best of luck, and a speedy recovery! Take time out to heal and remember you will be in a job you love once more, eventually! 

Spoonie_Turtle

MusicGirl97 said:

If you are looking to get back into work sooner, I would sign onto JSA, because you’re constantly looking for work.

Just to clarify you can still look for work on ESA, you can even work part-time without it ending if you're working and earning below certain thresholds.  It just means there's no pressure and you can take things at your own pace.

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/working-while-you-claim

AbsolutelyClueless

Spoonie_Turtle said:

AbsolutelyClueless said:

Hi,

It has been a long time since I needed Jobseekers Allowance, in 2013 to be precise.

However, after nearly a decade in which I held two positions, I've had to resign from my most recent position due to struggles with my mental health.

Unfortunately, with my financial position I don't think I will have the time to really take control of my mental health struggles where I can take an extended break from working. 

I can't really advise about JSA since my last experience with it is in about 2011/12 but you may wish to look into ESA (Employment and Support Allowance), which is for people with health conditions that affect their ability to work. 

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

You would need a fit note from your GP for when you start the claim.  A while after claiming you would receive a form to fill in and then later have an assessment, but you would not be required to look for work unless the outcome of the assessment is that you are fit for work - and even then if you feel the decision is wrong, you can challenge it.

Depending on your wider circumstances you could also possibly be entitled to some Universal Credit, with a fit note your work coach should only require of you what you can manage as they have direction to turn off work commitments.  But do a benefits calculation first, to see if it's worth applying. 
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Hi,

Thanks for this response and the advice to consider ESA, instead of JSA, which I think my heart is saying yes whilst my practical mind is thinking JSA as I could do with getting into a job (applying for admin) quickly.

However, I fear if I jump back into a job then those underlying issues (such as work fraud feelings and procrastination from tasks etc) will return and I would like to be diagnosed with whatever I might have so ESA might be more prudent to look into.

A friend of mine said they check your bank statements but sure that has never been the case for benefits unless they were concerned that an applicant was cheating the system?

Spoonie_Turtle

AbsolutelyClueless said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

AbsolutelyClueless said:

Hi,

It has been a long time since I needed Jobseekers Allowance, in 2013 to be precise.

However, after nearly a decade in which I held two positions, I've had to resign from my most recent position due to struggles with my mental health.

Unfortunately, with my financial position I don't think I will have the time to really take control of my mental health struggles where I can take an extended break from working. 

I can't really advise about JSA since my last experience with it is in about 2011/12 but you may wish to look into ESA (Employment and Support Allowance), which is for people with health conditions that affect their ability to work. 

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

You would need a fit note from your GP for when you start the claim.  A while after claiming you would receive a form to fill in and then later have an assessment, but you would not be required to look for work unless the outcome of the assessment is that you are fit for work - and even then if you feel the decision is wrong, you can challenge it.

Depending on your wider circumstances you could also possibly be entitled to some Universal Credit, with a fit note your work coach should only require of you what you can manage as they have direction to turn off work commitments.  But do a benefits calculation first, to see if it's worth applying. 
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Hi,

Thanks for this response and the advice to consider ESA, instead of JSA, which I think my heart is saying yes whilst my practical mind is thinking JSA as I could do with getting into a job (applying for admin) quickly.

However, I fear if I jump back into a job then those underlying issues (such as work fraud feelings and procrastination from tasks etc) will return and I would like to be diagnosed with whatever I might have so ESA might be more prudent to look into.

A friend of mine said they check your bank statements but sure that has never been the case for benefits unless they were concerned that an applicant was cheating the system?

You can still look for work if you want, whilst claiming ESA.  There are hour and earnings thresholds (15hrs59mins and £167/week) if you want to keep claiming ESA whilst doing some work, but if you choose to work over those thresholds in the knowledge that it'll close your claim, you are of course allowed to do that.

As for bank statements, ESA isn't means-tested and the only info they could need is to make sure you're not receiving a pension of more than £85/week (or earning above the threshold, if you did find work).  I don't think they routinely ask for bank statements; they've never asked me for any in the ~3years I've been claiming it.