Income protection insurance and jobseekers

[OfUselessBooks]

Hi, I've been made redundant. I'm currently in my notice period, which expires mid October (I'm not working, it's pilon).

I have some income protection insurance, fortunately, but they need proof that I have signed on as unemployed. I cant get jobseekers allowance until my pilon ends. Can you register as unemployed but just not get any money for the first few months, or do I wait to register, and also claim on my insurance, until my pilon expires?

Never done this before and I'm a bit confused, and also slightly worried the claim won't go through properly (although I've no reason to think this, I'm just a naturally anxious person).

If you are getting a monthly wage then it’s more gardening leave than PILON - that is usually paid in one lump sum. It may represent several months worth of wage, but that’s it your done with that employment and you are no longer employed by them.
If you have had a lump sum, then you can claim New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance straight away - the insurance you get may ‘wipe out’ the actual payment, but you can get the NI credits only.
If you are getting a monthly wage, then you cannot claim NSJSA yet as you are earning a monthly wage, you will need to not be earning.
NSJSA is based on previous NI contributions and won’t look at any savings you may have or a partners income (hence if you had a lump sum PILON it will be disregarded). But it does look at income - hence the insurance payout may effect how much you get.
Also, you will need to be sure what the insurance is paying - is it income replacement, or is it an insurance on a mortgage payment? If the latter this may also be disregarded (sorry, can’t remember 100% on this, but worth checking and clarifying)

Has your employment ended and you've had a payment in lieu of notice? As if so you can claim JSA. But if you are still employed, but on paid notice and not required to work (AKA gardening leave) you will have to wait until your employment has ended. In this case you could ask your employer to terminate and pay in lieu, but it's their call. Some employers prefer to keep you on notice, others to pay you up and get you off the books. There are pros and cons to each approach.

Surely your insurance would just need a copy of your P45 ?

You can claim contributions based job seekers universal credit allowance the day after you are made redundant
I believe that I received a letter confirming how much I was due to receive when I applied