Job Seekers Benefit Ending

Firefox11

Hi. So my job seekers Benefit ended today. I had sent in the Job Seekers Allowance Claim form at the beginning of February with the requested means test documentation, bank statements etc, but I have not heard anything since.

I rang the social welfare office last week and they just said that they should be in contact sometime about the JA claim but they had no other info.

Just want to know How long does it usually take for them to process the JA Claim on average? I take they dont start processing the claim until my JB has ended?

Thanks

DanDublin1982

Its basically different in every office. You'll probably need to drop into them as the alternative is no payment.

Firefox11

Thanks.

It's sorted now. I got notification this morning from social welfare office and my claim has been accepted.

Thanks.

irish gent

good stuff

blowin3

I was made unemployed this time last year after 30 years my JB finished today. I applied for JA over 5 weeks ago giving all the information requested re. my means test. I inquired about the status of my claim to be told that it was with an inspector and I would have to wait their decision. The lady informed me that I would be required to explain how I had spent my severance money. I had already explained that I had bought a house as I had been renting with my wife and child.Does this meeting with an inspector take long and will I be waiting long for an appointment ? I felt at the time I was doing the correct thing to buy a home for my family. My wife does not work and we have no other income coming into the home. Thanks in advance for advice.

DanDublin1982

blowin3 wrote: »

I was made unemployed this time last year after 30 years my JB finished today. I applied for JA over 5 weeks ago giving all the information requested re. my means test. I inquired about the status of my claim to be told that it was with an inspector and I would have to wait their decision. The lady informed me that I would be required to explain how I had spent my severance money. I had already explained that I had bought a house as I had been renting with my wife and child.Does this meeting with an inspector take long and will I be waiting long for an appointment ? I felt at the time I was doing the correct thing to buy a home for my family. My wife does not work and we have no other income coming into the home. Thanks in advance for advice.

Waiting times for inspectors vary around the country. It should be fairly straight forward as you'll have pretty detailed evidence of the house purchase and it's a perfectly legitimate way to spend your severance pay.

If you are without money whilst waiting for the Inspector you can make an application to Supplementary Welfare Allowance. They will essentially need the same information so make sure you get all originals back.

blowin3

Thanks for the info Dan. Hopefully it won't take too long .

blowin3

Thanks all. I met with the inspector and found him understanding and compassionate about my situation. I explained my situation and told him that I genuinely was looking for work as JA was a not a career move. So anyway he passed to get JA and is putting me in contact with some one that will help with a helping me find a job. Thanks again for the advice.