JSA and Zero Hours Contracts

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Scottish33
Scottish33 Posts: 9 Forumite
in Employment, jobseeking & training
Hi ,


I hope someone can advise, i am currently at college and work with a company on a zero hour contract, this suits me at the moment because i can pick up shifts on my days off college. However in 3 weeks i finish college and am wondering how my employment status will affect me claiming JSA. I have read a number of conflicting items online.



I am currently a council tenant and know if i am eligable for JSA i will be eligable for housing benefit, these 2 benefits total more than what i earn weekly. So i would appreciate it if someone could clarify what i can work, if and what i can claim until i start University in Sept.


Thanks for reading

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  • Marcon
    Marcon Posts: 10,672 Forumite
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    This is more a benefits question than an employment one. Try a specialist website - https://www.turn2us.org.uk is excellent.
    Googling on your question might have been both quicker and easier, if you're only after simple facts rather than opinions!  
  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
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    Scottish33 wrote: »
    I am currently a council tenant and know if i am eligable for JSA i will be eligable for housing benefit, these 2 benefits total more than what i earn weekly. So i would appreciate it if someone could clarify what i can work, if and what i can claim until i start University in Sept.
    Being eligible for housing benefit has nothing to do with your employment status and everything to do with your income and local housing allowance rates. You can be in employment and still receive housing benefit if you have a low income and average rents in the area for the type of property you need, that's need not want, are high. For example if you earn £100 a week in employment and a shared room/bedsit is typically £50-£100 a week or more where you are you'll get help.

    You can only work a maximum of 15hrs a week and what you earn less £5 is deducted on a £1 for £1 basis so if you earn £80 a week you'll get no JSA although you would get NI credits still.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
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    Do you claim housing benefit currently?
  • sammyjammy
    sammyjammy Posts: 7,388 Forumite
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    You won't be able to claim JSA you will need to make a claim for Universal Credit which will also pay any relevant housing allowance. You will get a work allowance on UC and anything you earn above this will reduce your UC by a % for each £ you earn.
    "You've been reading SOS when it's just your clock reading 5:05 "
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