Jobseekers Allowance question now I have a job to look forward to!

[LolaTheShowgirl]

After 6 months on Jobseekers Allowance I have finally found a lovely job starting early March subject to references. So i've been claiming JSA. I have one last sign in on the 27th Feb and will get paid 3 working days later. My question is do I still go to sign then? Do the Jobcentre pay a fortnight in hand?

Also when is the best time to tell my advisor I have a job? Now or should I wait til my references are cleared and I get the confirmation letter from my new job? I'm hoping my references will be ok...one is my last job who I had a lot of time off with through bereavement...given HR as a contact so it will probably be very brief. Other I don't stay in contact with much anymore but she promised she would always write me a reference as I was her star worker so i'm hoping she still works at the same company. I'm so pleased to be back in the land of the working woman

[dingdong05]

Well done you!
FWIW I'd wait to inform them til you have confirmation though.
Unless you are on some new deal thing, I don't think you get benefits that lap over into paid work, but I'm sure you'll get a post from someone who knows for sure.
Al the best, you working girl you!

[StripeyMamaSpanx]

They pay in arrears. So, you have to go in and 'sign off' before you start work and they will then send you any outstanding JSA.

You should check about back to work type grants - ex was unemployed for 6 months and when he got a job he got £300 to buy work clothes.

Look here

[LolaTheShowgirl]

Thanks so much for your replies. I'm on new deal stripey so may get the grant. That would be great! I am going to wait for confirmation letter and then go to my ysyal apointment on 27th and sign off there as I don't think I have to tell them straight away do i unless i've actually started paid work? So if I tell them on the 27th feb and start paid work on thr 7th march I won't be breaking any rules will I or my advisor won't get mad at me?

[LolaTheShowgirl]

Wow, I could get £100 for the job grant automatically. I will be able to buy real suits for my new job. I'll look the beesknees...really professional

[dingdong05]

You won't get into trouble, as long as your not working and claiming to be unemployed at the same time. So telling them on the 27th shouldn't be a problem- they want you to get a job after all! And if your new deal advisor is anything like mine, they'll be delighted you've found a good job!
You may have to wait to get vouchers for clothes and there may be a delay in getting your last giro, but that's due to administration- and there may not be a delay, just something to bear in mind. Ask your advisor for the skinny on all this and then you can be the expert for the next mnetter who lands a job!