Confused Regarding Date of Unemployment!!

cute_cow

Hi there,

I was let go from my job on 14th January. I was given 1 months salary in lieu of working out my months notice. So, because I was being paid until 11th February, I didn't think I was eligible to sign for that month therefore I didn't sign on til Monday this week.

However, person in social welfare office asked why I hadn't signed on in January when I was let go and explained the above to her. She said that my P45 states that I finished receiving payments on 14th January and I should have come in then.

Is there a way to claim for the back pay of 1 month, or should I just leave it and get on with the claim I made today? Is there a form to complete, is it a long oprocess and would it hold up the claim I made this week?

Any advice would be very welcome. Oh and its a Jobseekers Benefit as I had enough stamps worked upo since the last time I became unemployed.

eastbono

Go into your sw office and request an application form for backdating , fill it up and then it is up to the deciding officer whether or not to allow backdating.

tenchi-fan

I'm not sure if there's an actual form. However you should write a letter outlining (very briefly) your reason for not claiming before now & stating that you have been seeking employment during this time. It's not a long process, they simply decide whether to backdate your claim, and if they do it will automatically be paid along with your first week.

You should always keep record of your jobseeking efforts - bring them along with you when asking for your claim to be backdated.

eastbono

tenchi-fan wrote: »

I'm not sure if there's an actual form. However you should write a letter outlining (very briefly) your reason for not claiming before now & stating that you have been seeking employment during this time. It's not a long process, they simply decide whether to backdate your claim, and if they do it will automatically be paid along with your first week.

You should always keep record of your jobseeking efforts - bring them along with you when asking for your claim to be backdated.

There is an actual form for requesting backdating cant think of its ref no think its something like UP40 something

jvc

Isn't there also a section in the form for applying for JSA/JSB to explain the reason you didn't apply straight away?

eastbono

Yes thats to explain why you did not apply straight away when you were made unemployed. Its not a request for backdating.

cute_cow

Thanks for all the advice. I received a letter from the person I dealt with in the SWO and it stated that it was backdated anyway.
Thanks again!