Holiday on the dole?

cafecolour

I'm working part-time and collecting partial JSA.

I was supposed to go on a three-week holiday with my folks in December. It was planned when I was employed, and won't cost me much (my folks bought the ticket, we're staying with relatives when we're there, etc.)

My question is - will it cause problems with my dole? Mind you, I know I don't get money for when I'm gone, but if I go into the office and say "I'm going to be gone and unable to look for work for these 3 weeks, but will be looking for work again and need to be back on the dole when I return." Will that work, or will they essentially end my dole and force me to reapply when I return? Would it matter if I wasn't working part-time and was getting full JSA?

DO'Carlo/Wex

The bit that might confuse the issue is the working part-time & collecting partial JSA.
However, as a general rule, you must inform Social Welfare in advance, the money as u say will be defered til u return.
But & here's the killer: you're only suposed to take a fotnights' holidays on the dole once a year. So if you're looking for 3 weeks.
But like I say above it might balance out since JA is partial.

ynotdu

cafecolour wrote: »

I'm working part-time and collecting partial JSA.

I was supposed to go on a three-week holiday with my folks in December. It was planned when I was employed, and won't cost me much (my folks bought the ticket, we're staying with relatives when we're there, etc.)

My question is - will it cause problems with my dole? Mind you, I know I don't get money for when I'm gone, but if I go into the office and say "I'm going to be gone and unable to look for work for these 3 weeks, but will be looking for work again and need to be back on the dole when I return." Will that work, or will they essentially end my dole and force me to reapply when I return? Would it matter if I wasn't working part-time and was getting full JSA?

You are entitled to 12 'paid' holidays on JA per year(to be paid on your return from holiday)
You must tell them in advance.
Your situation is complicated by the fact that you are going away for three weeks and you may?have to bring in a form from your employer every week rather than every month(if you were full time unemployed its monthly signing,but it DOES get noticed if the money is not collected weekly and in the case of a post office at least is returned within 7 working days of your collection day.
If You are signing monthly the dates MIGHT fall right for you?
however if you risk things your entire claim will be closed in less than a fortnight and when you come back you will need to reaply as a fresh claim(with all its time delays)

So i would say look at ALL your options,you will get a lot more respect from the dole office if it is nescessary to be totally honest and show proof that the holiday was booked before you went on short time.
My sister works in a dole office and believe it or not ALMOST ALL the staff have Empathy for people in your postion,however they have to follow fairly riged guidelines to ensure THEY keep their jobs!
By no means dont just go by what i say but also seek advice from Obair or Citizans advice beaureau etc,as guidelines are changing by the week.
i DO no that those who tried to outsmart them have paid a heavy price!