Loss of job due to DD and entitlement to claim dole/ JSA unemployment benefits?

[Routemaster]

Hi
If a person has a job that involves driving, eg bus driver, call out engineer etc and is convicted of drink driving while driving their own vehicle, in their own time for example on holiday and as a result loses their job, could they find they are not eligible to claim job seeking allowance or similar unemployment benefits due to the job loss being self inflicted?

From what I’ve heard, the DSS these days is very strict and will refuse to give benefits to people who have lost their job through, their own fault such as gross misconduct “At work”. But if the drink driving offence happened outside of work in their own vehicle then it surely is not misconduct commited at work and therefore if they lose their job do they lose their entitlement to dole?

 

[hewl]

You are unlikely to get a definitive answer here.

Call the Job Centre Plus and ask them. Their number is 0800 055 6688

 

[TipsyNurse]

Hewl is right that benefits sanctions are very complicated and be you really need expert advice.

In theory leaving a job voluntarily and misconduct can attract sanctions of 13-26 weeks. I suspect a lot of it would depend on how exactly your employer handled inability to carry out your contracted role.