been made redundant after 17 years can i claim social security

raysugar

after 17 years work i have been made redundant , can i claim any benifits while i look to do a PT course or something, what are the first steps that i should do ? thanks for help

Cherry1

Hi,
If you go to the job centre on Monday and explain - ideally taking written proof of earnings i.e. pay slips for last 3 months or longer; picture id/national insurance number/redundancy letter, they'll help you apply for whichever benefit you're eligible for. Could be Job Seeker's Allowance if you seeking work. Also Housing Benefit forms will be given. If you're not good at writing/understanding forms, ask them for help, that's what they're there for.
I suggest looking at websites for the following TUC, ACAS, directgov, BERR.
If you don't ask, you won't get.
Good luck.

crockpot

You should be able to claim contributions based job seekers allowance for 6 months which is £60.50 a week, my local colleage have told me that if I am claiming this then my course fees will be free.

You only having to be claiming when you sign up for the course,not for all of it.

Hopes that helps?

You could then get student discounts on things

Oldernotwiser

crockpot wrote: »

You should be able to claim contributions based job seekers allowance for 6 months which is £60.50 a week, my local colleage have told me that if I am claiming this then my course fees will be free.

Many colleges only offer free fees when you're on means tested benefits, which contributions based JSA isn't. However, there are various ways in which you don't have to pay fees depending on your existing qualifications.