holiday s whilst on jobseekers allowance?

[Deleted User]

I just attended my signing on today. And informed them that i am going on a 2 week holiday abroad next week.

They made me sign a form giving the starting date of my holiday. And was told that, when i came back, i should call them up, or go on the website to start claiming again. And that she would process a 'rapid reclaim' when i got back.

Stupidly, i just said OK and left without asking. But does that mean, i will be paid for the two weeks i'm away?

And does this mean i am effectively signing off, and starting all over again. i.e. back to week 1 of my jobseekers?

wombles_forever

Hi, AFAIK as per the current rules you will not be paid whilst you are on holiday abroad but can apply for a rapid reclaim as soon as you are back and actively job seeking again. This should ensure that you start receiving JSA payments again as quickly as possible. Due to the linking rules you will not start back at week one but you will carry on as if you had no break in your claim. Hope this helps.

[Deleted User]

thanks wombles.

So, 'rapid reclaim' means i can just carry on from where i left off? Stupidly, i thought it mean i could rapidly reclaim the money i wasn't paid during the two weeks.

NoComments

Ok my situation is complicated.

I will start from beginning...

I have claimed JSA in January at first (was going nicely to JC+ and sign in) and was was declined JSA as I got not enough NI paid (which is untruth). I have called the number they gaved me to say i was paing and i just called revenue and they do not know what JC+ is seeing but there is more than plenty contribution for many years not only the years they are looking for. Guy on the phone asked me to appeal. my money I saw at the end of April, when i found new job from 1st April. For 3 months i was declined any money and I did not get status of unemployed and got to pay for all my medication and dentistry treatment (which has happened I has to use) and even was not entitle for any training cose someone there was not bothered enough to see that i have paid enough NI. My job was only temporary until end of may so I claimed rapid reclaim from start of June over the internet. Internet went wrong (not my fault) and I got to spend time on phone to straight it up. On the phone I've been giving interview date and time which i could not attend cose i got job interview at the same time. I could not change it and has been given number to do it. As JC+ interview was the next day morning i called them to say I can not attend and they asked me to call tomorrow morning to change it. Lines open from 9am, my JC+ interv. was at 9.45 and my job interv. at 9.30. I ended up being just 1 minute to spare on my job interview (and angry - nice first impression for new employer) as there was nobody in the morning to change my JC+ intrev. time and date! Anyway i went there today. Has been given dated to sign in (Wednesday starting from next week). I just founded out i need to go aboard for 10 days starting from Tuesday next week...

My question are:
- where can i complain
- can i ask for refund of health cost while being unemployed but without status (not from my fault)?
- what to do with my trip aboard? do i have to sign off now even before i started signing in? Will i get paid at least for the time I have claimed to the day im going out?
- another question - where im going there are 2 plains per day to UK and they take less then 1,5h to get back. I will seek for job from aboard anyway as type of job which im looking for is usually advertised on internet anyway (software programmer) and that was the way i have found my previous job. Even if I can go back within few hours and apply for jobs (which i will do anyway as Im not the benefit type person) and I will do that, it mean i still can not claim JSA? My previous interview was over the phone - I can do that from anywhere in the world where is phone connection and im not going to the jungle.

red_devil

Kimberley wrote: »

To be honest wouldn't they wonder how you can afford an holiday whilst claiming to be out of work

its none of their business. You might not be paying for the holiday yourself. They are their to sign you on and not pry?

ultimatedingbat

I agree it's a wrigmaroll! I've been gifted a weeks holiday with my family as a graduation present ( a well earned one!) but now looks like I'll lose my JSA.
Might have well as gone to bridlington for a week!

Haywire7

You can not claim JSA whilst outside the uk (except in some circumstances where seeking work abroad). You need to sign off and make a rapid reclaim on your return. Going abroad between signing dates and not informing JCP is fraudulant.

ultimatedingbat

Haywire7 wrote: »

You can not claim JSA whilst outside the uk (except in some circumstances where seeking work abroad). You need to sign off and make a rapid reclaim on your return. Going abroad between signing dates and not informing JCP is fraudulant.

It's horrible really considering almost everyone BUT those seeking work are allowed holidays! A friend of mine got married and as part of their wedding (which lol fell on a sign on day) everyone had a whip round to send them to Spain for a week. They lost both their job seekers allowance

Jomo

BenefitMaster wrote: »

The Jobseekers Allowance Regulations 1996 disagree:

Circumstances in which a person is to be treated as actively seeking employment
19.—(1) A person shall be treated as actively seeking employment in the following circumstances, subject to paragraph (2) and to any maximum period specified in this paragraph

(p) in any week in respect of which he has given notice to an employment officer, in writing if so required by the employment officer, that—
(i) he does not intend to be actively seeking employment, but
(ii) he does intend to reside at a place other than his usual place of residence for at least one day;

That is the specific clause which allows holiday, and DOES NOT specify that the holiday may not be abroad. Clearly residing abroad meets the definitions of residing "at a place other than his usual place of residence "

Yes, it will be a fight, but yes, I am aware of cases where people have had holidays abroad, been consdiered to be actively seeking for the purpose of section 19(p), and retained right to benefit.

The Jobcentre will do anything to get you to sign off, including Lying to you. I know, I used to do so for a living.

Tbh I doubt it matters so long as you are available for work in the time stated. If you take yourself to a place where that isn't possible then you deserve to be sanctioned.

Bobl

ultimatedingbat wrote: »

It's horrible really considering almost everyone BUT those seeking work are allowed holidays! A friend of mine got married and as part of their wedding (which lol fell on a sign on day) everyone had a whip round to send them to Spain for a week. They lost both their job seekers allowance

Presumably because they were not actively seeking work - what's wrong with that!