Two months plus for Job Seekers payments?

[YippeeKayakOtherBuckets]

I lost my job 22nd June and immediately applied for contribution based JSA.

Started my new job on the 11th August so spent an hour on hold to get through so I could end my claim. I was told I’d get a letter within five days and my payment should come through as a lump sum within a similar time frame.

I’ve got nothing.

Is this normal? How are people living? I’m very fortunate to have a husband with a job, an overdraft facility and a bit of money in savings. But what happens to the people who need the £75 odd a week to make the difference between eating and not?

It’s an actual disgrace. Is this a usual amount of time for these things?

No that’s not normal you need to be chasing it up.

When I called to end the claim I did chase it and the lady said they have all my details and it’s being progressed, she suggested 5 days but couldn’t promise.

I did wonder if they’re prioritising the income based claims, which makes sense I suppose but not everyone on contribution based has spare money either.

Sorry to hijack your thread but as you have made a claim then you may know! My last day of work is at the end of this month as I have been made redundant. I have looked online regarding claiming Jobseeker's Allowance and I'm sure I read it's not relevant if or what your spouse earns? My brother has said you can't claim if your spouse has a full time job? Is this correct? I've worked there 10 years so have contributed NI?

I'm only guessing as I don't actually know, but maybe you are not a top priority as you do have some savings and household income still? I know that my application was put through quickly and I was entitled to an advance payment after just a couple of weeks, as I had no savings and no other source of income whatsoever. My advisor also told me that advance payments are not available to those with savings. I know that's unfair as we're both out of a job but maybe that's why? I hope you get what you're entitled to soon.

@WaynettaLob www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-new-style-jsa

It's not unusual at all. Those on Universal Credit can get an advance payment but on JSA you cannot. Lots of people earn too much to qualify for UC but too little to live off.

This is why food banks have become so common, before the pandemic and even more so now.

@WaynettaLob JSA is not means tested, so you can claim.