JSA - wtf?!

[Goldilocks3Bears]

As with all our au pairs, this one has requested a letter to confirm she is living here so she can open a bank account. She also plans to work Saturdays in a cafe for extra cash.

So she’s on the phone last night and I speak a little of her language and have big ears. I gather she’s talking to her mum about getting paid work. So far so good. Then in the middle of the conversation she throws in “job seekers allowance” and proceeds to explain that.

She’s now had a letter that clearly states she is staying with us as an au pair for which she receives accommodation and pocket money and would this not be eligible for jsa.

I don’t want to be mean and this has only happened once before with another girl but I really don’t see how she should be allowed to scam the social system when she’s staying free and gets payment.

Am I being unreasonable? I’m not planning on discussing it with her.

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that this is a scam. It may be that she has no idea of UK benefit rules and that someone has mentioned JSA to her without realising she isn't eligible - for example some of her contacts may have worked in the UK or transferred their benefit rights to the UK look for work and have received it legitimately.

Many Brits are clueless about some of the benefit rules when they move to EU countries.

Are you sure the conversation was her saying she actually intends to try claiming JSA?

Could it not have just been her explaining to her mum what it is and what happens in the UK if you don't have a job, as compared to what happens in her own country?

I would say something when you give her the letter " here's your letter for the bank, it says on it that you're not entitled to JSA as a previous au pair for some reason thought that she could claim it! She could have got in lots of trouble with the police."