Latest news with #JobseekersAllowance
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Warning for thousands on benefits who could have their payments STOPPED over summer holiday mistake
ANYONE on Jobseeker's Allowance could see their benefits slashed and even fined up to £5,000 if they make one simple holiday mistake. Those on the benefit heading abroad need to tell the DWP as it is classed as a change in circumstances. 1 Fail to do so, and it could see your claim stopped, reduced and you might be slapped with a £50 penalty. If you're found to have deliberately not reported going away, this is classed as benefit fraud, which is illegal. In this case, you will be told to pay back any overpaid benefits you've received. You may also be taken to court or asked to pay a penalty between £350 and £5,000. Sarah Coles, senior personal finance expert at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "There's so much to do before you go away, but if you're claiming benefits and travelling overseas, make sure you tell the DWP. "It may not seem important, but if you don't let them know you could have your claim stopped or cut – and you could even be fined." The exact government rules state that you cannot claim income-based JSA while abroad. You may be eligible to claim New Style JSA though, if you're in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for up to three months. However, you also need to: be entitled to it on the day you go abroad register as a jobseeker at least four weeks before you leave be looking for work in the UK up to the day you leave be going abroad to look for work register at the equivalent of a Jobcentre in the country you're going to follow the other country's rules on registering and looking for work be covered by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence The same rules that apply to going abroad if you're on Jobseeker's Allowance also apply to a host of other benefits. If you are on Universal Credit, you can stay abroad for one month and carry on receiving payments. But, you have to tell your work coach you're going away and carry on meeting the conditions of your claim. There are exceptions, such as if you're abroad for medical treatment (you can stay up to six months) or if a close relative passes away. Meanwhile, if you receive Personal Independent Payment (PIP), you can stay abroad for up to 13 weeks, or 26 weeks for medical treatment. How to report a change in circumstances How you can report a change in circumstances varies depending on your benefit. If you're on JSA, you have to report any changes by calling the JSA helpline on 0800 169 0310. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. You can also write to the Jobcentre Plus office that pays your JSA, the address for which will be on any letters you get about your JSA. If you're on Universal Credit, you can send a message on your journal, or speak to your work coach. You can contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644, or you can textphone to 0800 328 1344 too. The line is open between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. If you want to speak to someone in Welsh, the number to call is 0800 012 1888. For other benefits, check the government's website. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Wales Online
11-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
DWP could stop your universal credit if you have this amount in savings
DWP could stop your universal credit if you have this amount in savings The Department for Work and Pensions will start withdrawing support and are going to be checks to ensure people are not cheating the welfare system Universal Credit claimants are being warned that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could withdraw benefits from those with a certain amount of savings (Image: John Myers ) Universal Credit claimants are being warned that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could withdraw benefits from those with a certain amount of savings. To qualify for DWP benefits, individuals typically must not possess more than £16,000 in savings or investments and new measures are being introduced to prevent system abuse. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, has said: "We are turning off the tap to criminals who cheat the system and steal law-abiding taxpayers' money." She further warned of tougher repercussions for those defrauding the system: "This means greater consequences for fraudsters who cheat and evade the system, including as a last resort in the most serious cases removing their driving licence." Kendall also highlighted the introduction of new safeguards: "Backed up by new and important safeguards including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight to ensure the powers are used proportionately and safely." F or money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . Government guidelines for Universal Credit stipulate: "To claim Universal Credit, you must usually have no more than £16,000 in money, savings and investments as a single claimant or if you are living with a partner. If you have money, savings and investments between £6,000 and £16,000, your Universal Credit payments will be reduced." If individuals have more than £6,000, their payments will be reduced incrementally. Payments will be cut by £4.35 for every £250 that a person has between £6,000 and £16,000. Article continues below An additional £4.35 is deducted for any remaining amount that isn't a complete £250. This is because the DWP assumes that someone can generate a monthly income of £4.35 for every £250 in their bank account. So if a person has £6,500 in a savings account, £6,000 of it will be disregarded and the remaining £500 will be considered as providing you with a monthly income of £8.70. This amount is then subtracted from your monthly Universal Credit payment. If an individual is receiving Jobseekers Allowance or income-related ESA, they will have £1 a week deducted from their benefits for every £250 (or part thereof) in their savings exceeding £6,000. This also applies to income support and housing benefit. These benefits are typically paid into accounts fortnightly. Article continues below Several key financial changes are happening in May that could impact your wallet. The main changes include the introduction of tax return penalties, NatWest's takeover of Sainsburys bank, and inflation updates. Premium bond winners have already been announced and HMRC has begun charging people a daily rate for submitting tax returns late. Ofgem is also set to announce the new energy Price Cap figures for the next three months meaning the cost of energy bills might finally be able to come down. You can read more about this month's changes here.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bradford Jobcentre looking forward to assisting jobseekers and firms
Jobcentre Plus work coaches are ready to assist jobseekers and employers in Bradford. Jenifer Ward from Bradford Jobcentre said: "With spring just around the corner we're looking forward to helping more jobseekers and local businesses. "For jobseekers, our work coaches are geared up to provide the right support to get them job ready, including access to training and voluntary work experience. "This, along with specialist services through the Disability Employment Advisors, can act as a spring board to a new career. "For employers, we can host recruitment days and identify suitable applicants to fill their vacancies, and we'd encourage them to get in touch to find out more." The Jobcentre is also focusing on building community relationships. On February 13, Bradford's second Youth Hub was officially launched at the BEAP community centre in Manningham. Local employers and training providers attended to showcase opportunities available to jobseekers. This event coincided with National Apprenticeship Week, during which various information sessions were held to promote apprenticeships and support people in their applications. The Jobcentre continues to refer to skills boot camps, which are designed to help people develop skills that local employers are looking for in areas such as HR, leadership and management, and project management. A growth area is reportedly 'Green Skills,' with a number of local courses available to equip people with the knowledge and tools to thrive in a sustainable world. This includes courses in subjects like carbon literacy and the impact of climate change, environmental sustainability, and preventing plastic pollution. The Jobcentre is also working on local campaigns to raise awareness of jobs in the warehousing and care sectors. They will be arranging group information sessions in the Jobcentres, and working with employers to match the right people to those jobs. In Yorkshire and the Humber, the employment rate is 72.2 per cent, up 0.3 percentage points on the quarter and down 1.9 percentage points on the year - according to figures shared by a spokesperson. According to the same spokesperson, the unemployment rate is 4.0 per cent, up 0.6 percentage points on the quarter and also on the year; and there are 2.646 million people in employment in Yorkshire and the Humber, up 34,000 on the quarter and down 31,000 on the year. The number of people claiming Universal Credit and Jobseekers Allowance reportedly continues to rise, reflecting the increase in the number of people who have migrated from other benefits onto Universal Credit.
