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Child care difficulties and New Style JSA
I have a client who is on unpaid leave at present because she cannot work because of child care difficulties. (She is normally a care worker but her hours are in the evening, not during school hours). Could she claim New-style JSA on the basis that she is ready to work during school hours (assuming she would be a key worker at that time)? I think she meets the contribution conditions. She has No Recourse to Public Funds, so no access to Universal Credit. I have signposted her to Immigration Advice as there may be a chance of having her condition of leave varied, but in the meantime, I cannot see access to any other benefit. What do people think?
furlough?
I will look again at the furlough rules but I thought they might not work where someone is actually needed to work, but can’t currently because she has lost her child care (done by relatives)
My client was awarded new-style JSA on the basis that she cannot work without child care. But I have since seen somewhere that people in this situation can also be furloughed which would be a better option for her.