Jobseekers allowance help - 'New deal'

bjjr

Hi all, have a question regarding JSA.

I finished my uni degree a good 6 months back, so have been unemployed for around 6 months. I have been signing on in the mean time as i have found it pretty difficult to get a job in my specialized area. I've been getting interviews and phone interviews etc, but with no luck. Today i had a 'new deal' interview with JSA, and they were pretty much pushing me away from my desired job and into a job search which i have no interest in. Now i understand that it could be along time before i get into my desired job, but for now i don't want to be distracted with job interviews for jobs i don't want, i did not complete a 4 year degree course only to give up in a few months.

What i would like to know is, although i have just signed up for this 'new deal' agreement, am i eligible to just sign off JSA now without giving a reason? and if so, would i be able to sign back up again in a few months time? (in case i have not found for job i desire, hopefully i have) I heard there would be a 13 week gap before being able to apply for a new claim, is this correct? Also one last thing, i asked the man who i was interviewed by, if i wanted to sign off how would i go about doing it? He told me to give him a call and let him know, is this necessary, or could i just hand in the booklet at the desk, tell them i'm signing off, and that'll be it?Thx all for your time, all advice is welcome.

poker_face

bjjr wrote: »

Hi all, have a question regarding JSA.

I finished my uni degree a good 6 months back, so have been unemployed for around 6 months. I have been signing on in the mean time as i have found it pretty difficult to get a job in my specialized area. I've been getting interviews and phone interviews etc, but with no luck. Today i had a 'new deal' interview with JSA, and they were pretty much pushing me away from my desired job and into a job search which i have no interest in. Now i understand that it could be along time before i get into my desired job, but for now i don't want to be distracted with job interviews for jobs i don't want, i did not complete a 4 year degree course only to give up in a few months.

What i would like to know is, although i have just signed up for this 'new deal' agreement, am i eligible to just sign off JSA now without giving a reason? and if so, would i be able to sign back up again in a few months time? (in case i have not found for job i desire, hopefully i have) I heard there would be a 13 week gap before being able to apply for a new claim, is this correct? Also one last thing, i asked the man who i was interviewed by, if i wanted to sign off how would i go about doing it? He told me to give him a call and let him know, is this necessary, or could i just hand in the booklet at the desk, tell them i'm signing off, and that'll be it?Thx all for your time, all advice is welcome.

Unfortunately it is a harsh time for graduates. What Type of work are you looking for?

So are you saying you want off JSA because you don't wish to seek the jobs they have on offer?

Sharon87

I'm sort of in the same boat as you. Graduated last year and can't find many TV jobs. I'm still looking for other jobs just to get a bit of money in though. Why don't you try antoher job for now, whilst you look for a job in your area? What area are you trying to work in anyway?

My advice is take any job at the minute, then you can always save up money if you have to go back on JSA again.

I've said it before. I graduated in the wrong year, and so did you!

MIMI123_2

You would need to fill in your ES40 (your signing book) you dont have to give a reason for signing off but you need to put the date you want to stop it from. If you sign on again before 13 weeks you will be put back onto new deal. But you can claim again anytime you dont have to wait 13 weeks.

mazza111

I have always found it's easier to find a decent job whilst in work, so would advise to take any job atm until you get the job of your dreams, it shows prospective employers that you haven't been sitting around scratching your head.

Joanneg83

i work with people who have disabilities and are trying to find work and its a really hard time for everyone especially those who may need a bit more suport in the workplace!!

the new deal system can be quite harsh and i have had reports of 'brainwashing weeks' where you attend a training centre every day for a week and HAVE to apply for jobs whether you want them or not! if you don't search for and apply for jobs then unfortunately they have the power to remove your benefits as technically you aren't jobseeking...

it is not an ideal system but it does go some way to weed out the ppl who think they can just sit around receiving benefits for months on end! it is automically flagged up when you have been on JSA for 6 months and everyone has to attend a new deal interview...

im afraid i can't answer your question about how to stop receiving JSA although missing a signing on date usually does it!

my advice would be to set your sights a bit lower, go for jobs that maybe aren't your dream post-graduation job but that will at least give you some disposable income and also ensure you don't have big gaps in your CV!!

mvengemvenge

If you re-claim within 13 weeks, you will carry on from where you left off on New Deal. If you leave it longer, you will just be an ordinary signer. However, bear in mind that the 'Flexible New Deal' starts this year, which will tie you into a whole new set of 'stages' in your jobsearch.

The reason your New Deal adviser said to get in touch if you were signing off is that if they help you with something to aid you starting work, it looks good on their performance.

You may have studied for a particular career, but why should taxpayers fund you while you sit around waiting for the perfect job? What if it never comes? The government's attitude is that you should find a job for now to support yourself while you look for that dream job. The rules for JSA are that after 3 months, people must widen their jobsearch, and after 6 months, they cannot restrict the type of job or the wage.

bjjr

Thanks for all the replies guys, very much appreciated. all advice taken on board.

Can't reply in much depth now as i'm off out in a minute (i will do later), but just to answer the first couple of posters, i have a degree in journalism and i don't mind finding work in any area of London.

Tarry

Just take anything for the time being if I where you, and look around for a job in your field whilst in that job. I really hope you find that ideal job (ie, in journalism soon).

Just a thought, have you thought about freelance? Not something I know anything about, but just a thought that popped into my head.

DCFC79

Im aware you have completed a degree and want to find a career in your specialised area but if you want to get a job then you need to widen your search to include other areas of work, you tried jobsite, job centre website, total jobs, fish4, reed.co.uk. If you want to come off jsa then just tell them so, tell them you have a job if you like or moving away. People do sy your more employable if your in a job or so ive read on here

krellos

i have a degree spent about 3 months on JSA unable to get even temporary jobs till october, have just been laid off.

Whilst in my job i was looking for a better job but hardly anywhere is employing and if they are they all want experience.

When i was on JSA I always applied for jobs within the wider search area as I was so desperate for a job. I got no help looking for jobs from the jobcentre and was pretty much left to my own devices except the fortnightly "what papers are you looking in" questions.

Now I'm faced with the prospect of signing back on I feel like I shouldnt even bother looking as though I'm trying to get a job because that's the only way you can get them to activly help you find a job!