Benefits warning for part-time students on JSA

Are you in part-time education or training and receiving Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA)?

Have you experienced problems with claiming JSA while studying?

At the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Hackney we have noticed lots of people in part-time education or training having problems claiming JSA in recent months.

JSA is a benefit paid to eligible people who are currently unemployed and looking for work, and to get it you have to show that you meet certain conditions.

You have to actively seek work, be available for work and have a current Jobseeker’s Agreement with the Jobcentre Plus office.

Being available for work means that you must usually be able to start a job immediately.

People in part-time education or training may in some circumstances be able to claim JSA but there are certain conditions attached to doing this. These conditions include being ready to work if it is offered to you and actively looking for work.

This means that if you are offered work while you are studying, you must be prepared to change the hours of your course to work around your new employment or to give up the course entirely.

If you are ever unsure about your eligibility for JSA you should seek advice at the Jobcentre Plus and talk to them about your situation.
At Hackney CAB we have seen JSA benefits stopped because of confusion over the status of claiming students.

Importantly, you must respond to all calls and correspondence from Jobcentre Plus in order to continue receiving your benefit and you should always check with Jobcentre Plus before starting a course to check that it is okay.

For more information on JSA, see the Jobcentre Plus section of the DirectGov website.

Alternatively, if you are experiencing problems with claiming JSA then you can talk to an adviser at:

Citizens Advice Bureau
300 Mare Street
E8 1HE
Tel: 020 8525 6350.

All Citizens Advice Bureau advice is free and confidential and we are here to help.

Rebecca Falcon is a Social Policy volunteer at Hackney Citizens Advice Bureau.