Depending on your situation, you may be able to claim benefits immediately following redundancy. You do not have to wait until you have used up your redundancy payment to be able to apply for benefits. One of the first things to look into is Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). Even if your current financial situation means you do not need benefit contributions, JSA has additional benefits. For example, you may be able to receive credit for your national insurance NI account, meaning you’ll be receiving NI contributions as though you were working. However, you cannot claim JSA while you are still being paid payment in lieu of notice. This is because you are still officially employed while receiving this payment. If you are struggling to get by on your redundancy pay alone, then it is a good idea to apply for Universal Credit until you find a new job.