What you should know - important information

What happens at Jobcentre Plus?

Each time you come to the Jobcentre Plus office we will:

• Talk about what you have done to find work
• Talk about your Jobseeker's Agreement, and
• Make sure you are still available for and actively seeking work.

To get Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) you must:

• Be available for employment
• Have a reasonable chance of finding work if you limit:
  • The kind of work you are willing to do
  • Where you are willing to work
  • The hours you are willing to work
• Be capable of work
• Have a current Jobseeker's Agreement and
• Be actively seeking employment.

If you are claiming JSA as part of a joint claim, you may sometimes still be able to get JSA even if you cannot meet these conditions. This could be if you are:

• Caring for someone else
• Incapable of work or,
• Studying for 16 hours a week or more when you make your joint claim.

There are other reasons why you can be excused.

Important - We will ask you regularly to show what you have done to find work.

Keep a record of what you have done to find work.

Your JSA may be affected if you:

• Do not do enough to find work
• Fail to attend an interview as required, or
• Become incapable of working.

How do I get paid?

We prefer to pay benefits into an account. This is the safest way. It lets you choose how and when you get your money. Your account can be with a bank, building society or the Post Office®. If you do not want us to do this, contact Jobcentre Plus.

If you are unable to meet your personal adviser or are not ready to work

In some cases we may decide that a meeting is not appropriate. Or we may decide to put it off until a later date, for example if you are too ill or have recently suffered bereavement. If we ask you to, you must take part in the meeting with a personal adviser and provide us with some basic information about your circumstances. You will not usually be able to get benefit if you do not. If the personal adviser decides that you did not attend or take part in a meeting, you can appeal against this decision.

If you are claiming benefits other than Jobseeker's Allowance it is your decision whether or not you want to look for work. You will not be asked to look for or take a job if you do not feel it is right for you at the moment. You will still be able to claim benefit through Jobcentre Plus as long as you have taken part in the meeting with your personal adviser.