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Hi There everyboy,
At the moment I am working for a large retail company which I hate, stress in work is really getting me down. Am a single parent with a 17 year old son.
If I handed my notice in in work would I be able to claim any benefits straightaway or would there be a time delay because I gave the job up.
Any help would be appreciated.
Helen
Thank you very much Louise
Hi Helsbeth
There are no black and white answers to your question.
If you leave your job you will be able to make a claim for Job Seekers Allowance but your reasons for claiming will be put to an adjudicator to see if you are entitled to claim or have intentionally given up employment. Even if you are entitled to JSA you may find that you are sanctioned for a period. This might happen because for example you leave a job without just cause. The worst case scenario for sanction is up to 26 weeks.
IF YOU LEAVE YOUR JOB YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY PUT IN ACLAIM FOR HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT WHETHER YOU CLAIM JSA OR NOT.
What voluntarily means is not defined by rules but the DWP describe it as “you have brought your employment to an end by your own choice”.
If the adjudicator decides that you have left your job voluntarily, it is up to you to show just cause. Just cause in not defined in the rules. It is not the same as good cause which applies to other sanctions. The decision maker must take all your reasons for giving up work into consideration including any caring responsibilities you have for a child under 16 (not applicable In your case) and any childcare expenses you have to pay as a result of being in a job (again not relevant to you).
To get just cause accepted you will have to show that you acted reasonably in leaving and that your circumstances make it proper that you should receive public funds to support you.
You mention that you are stressed by the conditions at work – have you raised this with your employer as the DWP will expect you, if possible, to try and sort out the problem with your employer using the grievance procedure.
Have you had any time off work with stress? Have you mentioned it to your GP? Is there any medical proof of your stress?
Your email is so concise it doesn’t really go into detail and so I would advise you to speak to your local advice centre BEFORE you make any decision about giving up your job because making the wrong decision can have long term effects. You can explain the whole situation to the advisor and then make an informed choice about what to do.
Hope this is helpful,
Kind regards
Jean
Thanks, Jean, that's great and I am sure many people will be interested to read the answer 
. Whilst there is no definitive rule, it is particularly helpful to see what sort of things are taken into consideration (especially for those with younger children)
Thanks Jean for all your advice and help I will take on board what you said.
Hi helsbeth
Welcome to One Space!
If you give up a job voluntarily without "very good reason" it is my understanding that you will not automatically be able to claim JSA. It appears to be discretionary as to whether you can, and I am not sure if you are then able to claim a Hardship payment if you have no JSA.
Luckily we have money experts on hand and I will ask them to respond to this post as this is a question to which many people will like to know the answer. So, watch this space!