3 day week - no social welfare payment??

lucyluo

Hi,

I would like an answer as the woman at social welfare scared me when I tried to clarify this?

I am working part time with days variable 2/3/4 per week.
I get paid on basis of out of 6.

Last week I worked 3 days and when I rang to ask about no payment she told me I needed 4 x's out of 6?
That didnt make sense to me as I thought payment was based on 3 days not working outside sunday so I thought I would have been entilted to payment for the 3 unworked days?

That would mean I am only entitled to a payment if I work 2 days or less is this correct? (considering some day i might only work 2 hours I cant survive if I dont recieve payment for such 3 day weeks?)

Thank you!!

cee_jay

To qualify for payment on Jobseeker's Benefit there has to be a substantial loss of employment - so basically you need to lose a day's work and pay to qualify. If you have always been working 3 days, you won't get paid for the weeks you work 3 days as there is no loss there. However, if you are subsequently reduced to 2 days, there is a loss so can get paid those weeks.
Depending on your earnings you may be better off on Jobseeker's Allowance if you normally work 3 days.