How long does jsa take to come through

For example because of your beliefs or if you have a disability. If you want to be self-employed, mention this at the interview.

You'll still have to look for jobs with an employer but your work coach might be able to help you become self-employed eventually. For example by sending you on a course about setting up a business. You can say how much you're willing to work for during the first few months of getting JSA.

After this you'll have to apply for any jobs, including ones that don't pay as much as you'd like. Work out how much you need to live so you know the salary you'll need to aim for - you can use our budgeting tool to help.

Check public transport costs and timetables so you know how far you'll be able to travel for work, and what you can afford to spend on transport. Check if you can get help with your travel costs. You'll generally be expected to travel up to 90 minutes each way to work - if you won't be able to, explain why, For example, if you can't sit on a bus for that long due to a back problem. Ask to limit your travel time to what is manageable for you. Your work coach might ask about your training, education and previous jobs so bring your CV if you've got one.

If you resigned without a good reason your JSA payments might not start straight away - this is called a sanction. Check what counts as a good reason for resigning from your job.

If you did leave for a good reason - for example being made redundant - bring any documents or letters you have to show this. Think about these things before the interview. You'll need to mention them so they can be taken into account in your jobseeker's agreement. This will make sure you won't commit to anything you can't do. You can ask to job hunt and work in a way that suits your condition.

For example, if your disability makes you tired a lot you can ask for jobs with flexible hours or ask for the distance you travel to work to be reduced. You can also ask to only apply for jobs that pay enough to cover your needs.

For example, if you need to travel to work by taxi, your salary needs to be enough to cover the taxi costs.

Take any proof you have with you - for example a letter from your doctor that explains the effect your health has on your ability to work. Make sure your work coach understands that you want to work.

For example, let them know if there are times of day when your condition isn't so bad and say which jobs you'll be good at. If your condition often changes, think which pattern of working would suit you now. You'll be able to change your jobseeker's agreement later if your health gets worse. They'll help you prepare for your JSA interview.

You can ask to job hunt and work at times you're not caring. You can also request up to 48 hours to get ready for a job interview and a week's notice to start a job.

You can ask to work and job hunt in a way that fits in with looking after your child. You can ask to:. If there's no-one else to look after your child in the school holidays, tell your work coach. Ask if your claimant commitment can be changed at these times. Write down the days and times you volunteer because your work coach will ask about this. You can ask for up to 48 hours to get ready for a job interview and a week to start a new job. Abuse doesn't just mean you've been hurt physically.

It could mean you've been bullied into doing something you don't want to do. If the abuse was in the last 26 weeks 6 months and you don't live with the person who abused you, tell your work coach. They can write in your jobseeker's agreement that you can postpone job hunting or accepting job offers for a while. Keep anything that shows this, for example copies of job applications or emails showing you registered with a job website.

It can be difficult to prove that you're entitled to backdated payments - contact your nearest Citizens Advice if you need help. You'll get a text or phone call inviting you to an interview at the Jobcentre to finish your claim. If you don't get this after 2 working days, call your Jobcentre. The number will be on the interview invitation - or you can look up their contact details on GOV.

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England This advice applies to England: England home Advice can vary depending on where you live. There are different application processes if you're either: claiming new style JSA adding income-based JSA to your existing claim for contribution-based JSA You'll need to gather the personal information you need, then apply online or by phone.

Get your personal information ready Find all the personal information you need for your application. How much money you have You'll need your bank account number and sort code - if you don't have an account you'll need to open one.

Your current and past work You'll need your National Insurance number and also your partner's. Make a list of the jobs you've had in the last 6 months - including employer contact details and the dates you worked there If you've done work-related courses and training in the last 6 months - check the dates and who the training was with.

If you resigned from your last job - 'leaving work voluntarily' When you apply, you'll have to explain the reasons why you resigned - for example if your job was causing you health problems.

You shouldn't be sanctioned if you left your job because you: took voluntary redundancy weren't getting the minimum wage you weren't safe because your job conditions didn't meet health and safety standards were bullied or harassed - as long as the DWP agree that leaving your job in these circumstances was reasonable had a zero-hour contract left the job during the 'trial period' - this is usually more than 5 weeks but less than 13 weeks after starting If you need to show the Jobcentre you had a good reason for leaving your job, you should get evidence together such as: messages between you and your employer or union about your resignation photos of unsafe conditions at work copies of payslips showing less than the minimum wage You should explain your reasons for resigning when you apply for new style JSA.

If you left because of childcare commitments You should show that the working hours made it impossible for you to look after your children. Explain to the Jobcentre: when you need to look after your children why you couldn't use after school clubs or relatives to help you any requests you made to your employer to change your working hours any changes your employer made to your working pattern You'll need to get evidence together such as: a letter from school or nursery a copy of your contract messages between you and your employer or union Your working hours You'll need to give the number of hours you work a week.

Who you live with You'll need the names of anyone you live with - whether they're family members or not. Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. You can find out more in our document about self-employment and unemployment.

Self-employed farmers on a low income can apply for Farm Assist. If you are a professional artist on JA, you can be exempt from l abour market activation for the first year that you are out of work. This means that you do not have to show that you are looking for work. It allows professional artists who are getting JA to focus on their artistic work.

The means test looks at your income, savings, investments and property, but not your own home. However, some income is not be taken into account in the means test. A limitation applies, which means that if you are claiming JA and your partner is getting certain social welfare payments, the total amount paid to you as a couple cannot be more than the maximum amount for one person including any dependants on one social welfare payment.

Find out more in our document about how living with your parents is assessed in the means test. You may not be entitled to JA in certain situations. This is known as being disqualified. You could be disqualified from getting JA for up to 9 weeks if you:. Read more in our document about sanctions that may apply if you do not fulfil the conditions of your jobseeker's payment. If you have just left school, you cannot get Jobseeker's Allowance. To get Jobseeker's Allowance you must be at least 18 and be out of school for 3 months.

The 3 month disqualification rule does not apply to Youthreach participants. If you are a third-level student studying full-time, you cannot claim the dole JA or JB. You cannot sign on outside term-time, such as during the summer holidays unless you are a mature student. However, once you have finished college permanently you can claim a jobseeker's payment if you cannot find work. This is also the case if you leave college without finishing your course.

The DSP has a fast-tracking system for people who sign off JA to take up work for a short period of up to 12 weeks or to go on a short training course lasting up to 12 weeks. You must inform your Intreo Centre or local Social Welfare branch office before you start work or training.

Your Rent Supplement can also be suspended for up to 12 weeks. If you were getting an age-related reduced rate of JA and you take part in a course of education, training or an employment support scheme the appropriate personal rate of payment applicable to that course or scheme will apply as long as you are aged under When you complete the course you will go back to your previous age-related JA rate.

Any means you have are deducted from this rate. Your payment can be reduced if you do not attend meetings when the DSP asks you to. It can also be reduced if you do not take part in an appropriate employment support scheme, work experience or training. You can find out more in our document about penalties for not meeting the conditions of your jobseeker's payment. If you qualify for JA, you get an amount for yourself, which is called the personal rate of payment.