Jobseekers Allowance?

[HaveYourselfAKnottyLittleXmas]

Does anyone know if you can claim contribution based Jobseekers Allowance if (a) you have not been working for a while, after being made redundant (but NI contributions were up to date prior to that) and (b) if you are only seeking part time work?

Also, if you do put in a claim, can the jobcentre insist that you take any job offered, or can you specify you won't take x job because it doesn;t pay enough to make it worthwhile paying nursery fees?

I have been looking for part time work for a while (although only applying for positions that will pay enough to make it worhtwhile), with no joy.

Can ring them obviously, but wondered if anyone had any direct experience?

yes I should think you can claim
never claimed post-redundancy but it would only affect the date from which they will pay you JSA

you don't have to take any job offered

I used to work for the Bu&&ers and yes BinL is right

The redundancy will affect your start date

You can look for a P/T job and you have the right to refuse a job if it isn't suitable

BUT if you put down that you are a tuesday afternoon butterfly catcher (ie limiting your choice in the extreme) then if that job comes up you would have to give a VERY good reason not to accept it.....so it pays to be a bit general in your hoped for ideal job

If you were previously earning £5 phr and are now looking for £7.50 - you will have hassle - however if you were getting £7.50 and say yyou will work for £7 that will get them more on your side (iyswim)
Good Luck

Thanks both of you.

Good idea KM about stating previous salary and saying I will work for less, as I had already made that decision anyway, as don;t think I am going to find anything paying the same, or at least not straight away.

I don;t want to claim anything in back pay, I just want to claim from now on (haven;t worked for 12 months).