Mandatory reconsideration on job seekers contribution based

Mymumsfavouritechild

So here's the back story: finished a temp contract on 5th August 2025. Knew I would not be eligible for UC due to savings and didn't think I was entitled to any benefits, so didn't look.
Fast forward to November. Ran a benefit check and found I could claim job seekers contribution based, as I have paid 2 years NI. 
Applied and asked for backdating to 11th August. 
I am now getting job seekers and I have satisfied the criteria for the labour market, but they won't back date due to not having a good enough reason for the late application. 
I am happy to submit a mandatory reconsideration, but don't know what to put for the late application. Any suggestions please.
BTW I have added money onto cards (all manageable) and I am self employed now, but have not been paid.
A little frustrated that I can't find much on acceptable reasons that would change a reconsideration or win at appeal. The best hidden benefit going in my opinion.
Thanks for reading. Looking forward to hearings facts, thoughts and opinions

lincroft1710

I would suggest that only if you were physically/mentally unable to apply at the proper time would backdating be considered.

TELLIT01

JSA is very rarely backdated.  The assumption being that the claimant is able to make the claim immediately.  The only times I knew of it being backdated was when it could be proven that they had been given wrong information by a member of DWP staff.  That isn't the situation in your case.

Mymumsfavouritechild

Thanks so much for the above comments. Yes, TELLIT01 said:

JSA is very rarely backdated.  The assumption being that the claimant is able to make the claim immediately.  The only times I knew of it being backdated was when it could be proven that they had been given wrong information by a member of DWP staff.  That isn't lincroft1710 said:

I would suggest that only if you were physically/mentally unable to apply at the proper time would backdating be considered.

Thanks for this. Under these circumstances, it would be ESA contribution based, and I could write the reconsideration 

Mymumsfavouritechild

TELLIT01 said:

JSA is very rarely backdated.  The assumption being that the claimant is able to make the claim immediately.  The only times I knew of it being backdated was when it could be proven that they had been given wrong information by a member of DWP staff.  That isn't the situation in your case.

Am I allowed to say 'damn'? No wondering I'm struggling. Thanks, I appreciate this

EnPointe

Mymumsfavouritechild said:

So here's the back story: finished a temp contract on 5th August 2025. Knew I would not be eligible for UC due to savings and didn't think I was entitled to any benefits, so didn't look.
Fast forward to November. Ran a benefit check and found I could claim job seekers contribution based, as I have paid 2 years NI. 
Applied and asked for backdating to 11th August. 
I am now getting job seekers and I have satisfied the criteria for the labour market, but they won't back date due to not having a good enough reason for the late application. 
I am happy to submit a mandatory reconsideration, but don't know what to put for the late application. Any suggestions please.
BTW I have added money onto cards (all manageable) and I am self employed now, but have not been paid.
A little frustrated that I can't find much on acceptable reasons that would change a reconsideration or win at appeal. The best hidden benefit going in my opinion.
Thanks for reading. Looking forward to hearings facts, thoughts and opinions

you will not get the  CB NSJSA backdated  for the reasons given 

Marcon

Mymumsfavouritechild said:

So here's the back story: finished a temp contract on 5th August 2025. Knew I would not be eligible for UC due to savings and didn't think I was entitled to any benefits, so didn't look.
Fast forward to November. Ran a benefit check and found I could claim job seekers contribution based, as I have paid 2 years NI. 

The best hidden benefit going in my opinion.

But it isn't hidden at all. By your own admission you didn't think you were entitled to any benefits, so didn't look in August, but then for some reason decided to check in November.

If there was a good reason why you checked in November but not before, then you could try giving that reason.

TELLIT01

Mymumsfavouritechild said:

Thanks so much for the above comments. Yes, TELLIT01 said:

JSA is very rarely backdated.  The assumption being that the claimant is able to make the claim immediately.  The only times I knew of it being backdated was when it could be proven that they had been given wrong information by a member of DWP staff.  That isn't lincroft1710 said:

I would suggest that only if you were physically/mentally unable to apply at the proper time would backdating be considered.

Thanks for this. Under these circumstances, it would be ESA contribution based, and I could write the reconsideration 

It has always been possible to have ESA backdated, generally up to 13 weeks, because it's a sickness benefit and people aren't always in any position to put a claim in immediately.

Grumpy_chap

Congratulations to the OP on starting their self-employment.  That can be challenging when getting going and work is done but invoices not yet paid.  It is the nature of the beast and will soon settle down.

nJSA is rarely possible to back date.  You may have simply not looked at claiming in August or you may have decided to take a few months holiday (many do) before getting on with the job hunt from November.  The few weeks of claim that you have made will still have helped out, I'm sure, and the issue becomes rather moot going forward now that you are working again with your new self-employed venture.

Mymumsfavouritechild

Grumpy_chap said:

Congratulations to the OP on starting their self-employment.  That can be challenging when getting going and work is done but invoices not yet paid.  It is the nature of the beast and will soon settle down.

nJSA is rarely possible to back date.  You may have simply not looked at claiming in August or you may have decided to take a few months holiday (many do) before getting on with the job hunt from November.  The few weeks of claim that you have made will still have helped out, I'm sure, and the issue becomes rather moot going forward now that you are working again with your new self-employed venture.

Thank you for your kind words and support. I appreciate.
Think you are right this is now a moot point and I need to let it go.