JSA linking period question

[Fluffs]

Was on JSA for 18 months up till 3rd week of March 2010. They had me on New Deal 25+. Signed off and went self employed. It's not worked out and will have to sign back on.

 

If I do that before 6 months has passed will they link it back to my previous claim and lob me straight back onto New Deal 25+?

[Penny For Them]

Unfortunately, unless the rules have changed since May 09, I am sorry but the answer to your question is yes.

[Fluffs]

But if i wait for more than 6 months they don't link it?

 

If so, for the sake of 3 weeks i can wait!

[Penny For Them]

Hi Fluffs

 

I have just remembered that in October 2009 ND25+, NDYP, ND50+ etc was replaced by the Flexible New Deal. Unfortunately, I don't know how this works with regards to linking.

[andydd]

Yep..the period is 6 months, normally its in the claimants interest and you can do a 'rapid reclaim' and everything is sorted out quicker.

 

A word of warning though, if you are 'self employed', they may say you are not eligible for JSA, this happened to me, I had a contract IT job and was paid on a self employed basis, although the reality was I was working full time for a company on a temp contract.

 

When I went to sign on again, they said that normally self employed people should expect to have periods of not working, I then had to persuede them that I was only self employed in payment terms, it delayed my payments though.

 

Andy