How long after finishing work can you claim unemployment benefit?
If you are in the UK, all you need to do is go to your local Jobcentre and make a claim for Jobseekers Allowance (JSA). If you are entitled to JSA you will be awarded it. There is no harm in making a claim. If you need help paying rent you can claim Housing Benefit (HB). I understand that claims for JSA and HB are made at the same time. An adviser at JSA ought to help you with such queries. There will be a delay of some weeks before you start to receive any benefits you may be entitled to. You will need to provide proof of identity, address, current income (if any) and show that you have lost your job through no fault of your own. You will need to declare that you are available to work for at least 40 hours per week, and, that you are actively seeking work. If you have paid the appropriate National Insurance Contributions (NICs) whilst working, your JSA will not be means-tested (all income will be ignored) for 6 months. I do not know how much JSA you may be entitled to.
