UK Citizen, claim income based JSA.

[creampuff]

I'm a naturalised British citizen. I've been abroad for 6-months, not resident abroad, I did not stay in any one place for more than a month. I returned to the UK from this overseas trip last month. I was resident in the UK for several years before going abroad for this 6-month trip.

Unf my particular industry where I usually work has taken a nose-dive while I've been away, so I'm not unemployed.

Can I claim universal credit/income based Job Seekers Allowance immediately, or is there a waiting period due to me being overseas for 6-months until last month?

[CR001]

If you have been absent from the UK for 6 months or more, there is a 3 month waiting period before you will be able to claim any benefits. I had this very experience when my adult daughter returned from abroad after 5.5 months away.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benef ... -benefits/