To take a month or two off before I take this new job

[brilliantbrunette]

So I lost my job a few weeks ago (company folded) I have a friend who has his own company and has said if I want a job (admin type job) that he would love to have me.

I'm thinking I might accept but ask to start in two months? He said to think about it etc so seemed in no rush.

Now my issue is, as I have worked for so long I am entitled to claim jobseekers benefit here (€208 per week) I'm thinking I might just relax and claim it for a few months and enjoy some time off. But I feel bad doing that.
Dh works full time and in a fairly high management position so I could be home a bit more to do more with dc.
Aibu to hold out?or should I take this new job sooner?

Must be lovely to just get given a job!

@jessy100 yes I suppose it was right place right time

Take a month or two off if you want to but don't claim job seekers, you aren't seeking a job.

Have you been working before now?

Jobseeeker criteria doesn't include those who have resigned. Not sure of your background.

It's not given unconditionally.

You have to attend appointments, courses, training, prove you are looking for work etc etc

YABVU to claim.

@Overthebow it's not job seekers as such it's a jobseekers benefit that's paid if you lose your job. It can be claimed for 9months before it switches to Jobseeker's Allowance (which is means tested) I am entitled to jobseekers benefit as I have paid a certain amount of tax etc. I guess I feel bad as I'm telling my friend I'll take the job but to I'll hold off for a while. I don't know...

I do have my own DD's that need to be paid. It would be a pain to have to switch them over to dh's account and then back again.

do it. My job vanished thanks to Corona and i decided to wait 3 months before looking for a job. but I'm in Germany and we get more money. It was marvellous, despite lockdowns etc, and i really managed to get my head together, do some sorting out, and literally spent a week doing nothing apart from watching TV. After more than 30 years in the workplace i felt I'd earned it.

@ChoiceMummy I didn't resign the company folded 2 weeks ago.

@ChoiceMummy

Have you been working before now?

Jobseeeker criteria doesn't include those who have resigned. Not sure of your background.

Not being rude, but did you actually read the OP?

I'd claim what you can. Why not, if you're entitled? I did similar a few years ago. I lost my job but was starting university in a few months so claimed what I could to bridge the gap.

I don't think you should if it means you will be reliant on benefits.

@BridgesofMadisonfan I meet the conditions under which it is given...

I mean, technically you’ve lost your job so you are entitled to it. You do have to work for it though - attend meetings, provide evidence of job hunting, go to interviews if they tell you to. You get sanctioned if you don’t do these things. So do it, but if you’re looking for a quiet few weeks off, don’t bother.

Go for it. Its unlikely you will have this opportunity again.
Make sure you are entitled to claim and don't risk not being able to have this new job if you leave it too long but I would say your wellbeing is important so have some down time.

Do it! As long as friend is prepared to wait two months.
I'm in France and no one would bat an eyelid at this.

Are you in the UK OP?

@jessy100 no I thought I had stated that...sorry, although I did denote that I am paid in €.

Do it. You have your whole life to be working.

@Gwenhwyfar @parrotonthesofa awah thank you, you know what you are right! Life is too short!

I can understand why you would like some time for yourself. However I’m a bit shocked that you think it’s ok for other people to go to work and pay tax to fund your few weeks off.
If you can afford to be off and not claim go for it.

@Fairyliz the way it works here is that the first 9months of unemployment pay is based on what you used to earn and pay into the system...it is a rebate as such for paying in!! I have worked full time since I was 21! I am 100% entitled to this money. In 9 months time IF I was still Blair working THEN It would be means tested! And I wouldn't get it!

@Brefugee that sounds lovely! A week watching tv would be fab 😀

@Fairyliz

I can understand why you would like some time for yourself. However I’m a bit shocked that you think it’s ok for other people to go to work and pay tax to fund your few weeks off. If you can afford to be off and not claim go for it.

I spent four years of uni not doing much funded by other people's tax money. Want to slag me off too?

@Gwenhwyfar
Think you are being a bit unfair there. If you graduated recently presumably you will have to pay some or all of your student loan back.
If you graduated 30 years ago I assume you will be learning something of value to society teacher/doctor? Or alternatively learning something that would help you get a better paid job and therefore pay more tax?
I think we would all like a couple of months off funded by the government I.e. our taxes but I don’t think it’s really on.

@Fairyliz as I have explained it's my own contributions I am claiming back.
Over here those contributions can be claimed back in many situations. My dsis claimed 23k back as her house deposit as part of the help to buy scheme here! Should she not have done that!?