Repayment of Community Welfare Payment/JA

Hi there. My husband and I have been assessed for Job Seekers Allowance and have been led to believe we are entitled to a payment.

They told us to go and speak to our local Social Welfare Officer to get some money to tide us over until we get the JA.

My question is... if we get a community welfare payment, do we have to pay it all back immediately when we get the JA?

You won't have to pay it back as it will be deducted. Basically after your claim is allowed the back money you would be entitled to will be reduced by the amount the SW officer gives you.

The person you need to speak to is the Community Welfare Officer, who will assess you for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (Basic SWA).

As Bronte said, any Basic SWA paid to you will be recouped from the arrears of your Jobseeker's claim when it is decided.

Bronte and Gipiman, thank you so much for your replies. That makes sense.

Thanks for pointing out that it's the Community Welfare Officer who sorts this out, it's taking me a while to get used to the jargon

Worry not hebs, the CWO has often been called worse!!