Complicated JSA claim question

RollergirlEP

Hi, I've returned home from studying for a masters in the UK about 2 months ago. I've completed all my classes and exams but I have a thesis due on the 25th of September. I filled out a claim form and when down to my local office around a month ago thinking I was entitled to some sort of welfare because I am available for work but I got my wires crossed and I thought I wouldnt be eligible til the 25th September.

Now looking at the FAQ section at the top of this forum it seems I can put it a claim after all because Im doing a thesis but finished exams, as long as I get a letter from my Uni in England to this effect, am I reading that correctly?

So, I assume I wouldnt qualify for full JSA for the remainder of the time spent doing the thesis, I might get means tested JSB, does anyone know? and therefore would I have to put in a second claim when I finish that period?

With the waiting times as long as they are I wonder would I be better off and just waiting til September 25th to put in a JSA claim because there's very little hope they'll have anything processed by the time the four remaining weeks are up.

Any advice on what I should do? Sorry I know it's complicated but I've never put in any claim before so I'm a bit confused.

Also I should mention when I put in the original claim, but didnt have the letter from the uni (which i didnt know I needed), the lady in welfare office wrote on my application the date I came in and 'will return in one week', if that's of any relevance for perhaps getting it backdated or something.

tommy21

RollergirlEP wrote: »

Hi, I've returned home from studying for a masters in the UK about 2 months ago. I've completed all my classes and exams but I have a thesis due on the 25th of September. I filled out a claim form and when down to my local office around a month ago thinking I was entitled to some sort of welfare because I am available for work but I got my wires crossed and I thought I wouldnt be eligible til the 25th September.

Now looking at the FAQ section at the top of this forum it seems I can put it a claim after all because Im doing a thesis but finished exams, as long as I get a letter from my Uni in England to this effect, am I reading that correctly?

So, I assume I wouldnt qualify for full JSA for the remainder of the time spent doing the thesis, I might get means tested JSB, does anyone know? and therefore would I have to put in a second claim when I finish that period?

With the waiting times as long as they are I wonder would I be better off and just waiting til September 25th to put in a JSA claim because there's very little hope they'll have anything processed by the time the four remaining weeks are up.

Any advice on what I should do? Sorry I know it's complicated but I've never put in any claim before so I'm a bit confused.

Also I should mention when I put in the original claim, but didnt have the letter from the uni (which i didnt know I needed), the lady in welfare office wrote on my application the date I came in and 'will return in one week', if that's of any relevance for perhaps getting it backdated or something.

I was in a similar situation re having finished college but still having thesis to do. As long as you can convince them that you are able to work and are looking for work and that the thesis will be in your own time, then this does not stop you being eligible. As for whether its JSA or JSB, it all depends on what tax credits you have accumulated, are you living at home/with a partner etc. You will need the letter from UNI as you said, stating that the exams portion is over and that your doing a thesis. The fact that you have not been in touch in three weeks (I'm assumming?) with SWO will most likely mean you will have to start the process again and from scratch. Most of the forms they send out/ items they tell you to bring in say along the lines of "Return in one week or we assume you do not wish to continue your claim". You technically could have claimed the day after you finished your exam to my knowledge. It is also unlikely that they will backdate it (though they did for me for medical reasons with a doctor's cert).

Hope I'm wrong on the above, open to corrections.