Term time workers
Are you or is someone you know a term time worker?
A recent change in the law means that many term time workers (for example school canteen staff, classroom assistants and other school or college ancillary staff) can now claim Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) during unpaid holidays.
The old rules
In the past, the Department for Work and Pensions treated many term time workers as working over the school holidays, so that they could not claim benefits, even though they were not actually working. These old rules have now been found to be unfair.
What changes have been introduced?
The new rules mean that for workers who work on average less than 16 hours a week (over the year), they can claim JSA during unpaid holidays. If however, their average hours are 16 a week or more, they will not be entitled. They may, however, be able to claim Tax Credits instead.
For more information please contact one the welfare rights teams or the South Tyneside Citizens’ Advice Bureaux.