Other benefits available than JSA

[heatseeker67]

What other benefits are there available apart from JSA when you're signing on? And can things be backdated? Such as housing benefits... I believe there is a form called INF2 (?) - but I'd much appreciate a friendly easy-to-understand-mumsnetter response than anything...

Also similarly how easy it to to join a foodbank...

You can't join a food bank, you can only get referred by a GP, social worker or CAB in circumstances of severe hardship.
It depends on your circumstances as to what benefits you can claim.
You could try this website, it will tell you what you are entitled to based on your circumstances
www.turn2us.org.uk/

I'm not sure what the rules are about backdating at the moment, the best to do is apply straight away.

www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx