JSA Eligibility-Can I make a claim?? Advice please!!!

[PWesthorpe]

Hi there, I stumbled across this site today and it seemed very helpful so I've decided to place a post in the hope of some advice.

I am currently on SSP, however this is due to end as I am no longer entitled to it......anyway, I have recently had to move coz of a crisis in my life and therefore have not be able to return to my employer even if I want to, as I do not drive and would not be able to get there in time everyday by public transport. Since moving I am now much better and want to work again, I have explained this to my employer and they are willing to let me go on medical grounds, but this could take 3 months. They have also said I still have a job there, but obviously I cannot get there, I would like them to let me go, but they do not seem to want to do this. I am prepared to resign, as I have been actively looking for work in the past few weeks since I moved, however I am now struggling financially and am trying to find out if I would be able to claim JSA if I leave my job due to my situation or if I am laid off on medical grounds?? Does being laid off on medical grounds effect JSA claim or my future employment prospects? If I resigned, as this would be classed as making myself unemployment, how long would I have to wait before I could claim JSA? Would the Job Centre take into account my situation of having to move etc or do they just see it as I have made myself jobless? As I said, I am really really keen to get back into work now and just need something to help me financially in the meantime.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated!!!

[Louc74]

Hi P! Sorry to hear about your situ - sounds like a pain, but it'll get better (it'll be a slog though! Lol!). I'm not 100% sure about your situ, you'd probably be best getting in touch with the Jobcentre through their advice line. In some cases, if you don't qualify for JSA, you can then claim Income Support, but again I'm not too sure about the rules on that one. Their rules can be pretty arbitrary and contrary as well, and a lot depends on how reasonable the advisor that you deal with is. At the end of the day, it's an adjudicator who looks at your claim, and decides if they think it is reasonable that you left your employment. The adjudicators are all human as well, so it can depend on what kind of person deals with the decision on your claim, basically.

Go to yougov for more info, and then call their advice line. As a last resort, is there not a car pool you could get involved with at your work?

What a pain for you. Good luck, I hope things start looking up soon.