To apply for Jobseeker's, or not to apply...?

Absinthe_Fairy

Hello,

I wondered if anyone would be able to advise me?

My job in a library finishes at the end of July and I'm moving back in with my parents until I go back to uni in September (to do an MA in Librarianship). I'll have seven weeks free, and I was planning to try and get some work experience in libraries that will help me get a full-time job when I finish my course.

My parents and their friends tell me I should go on Jobseeker's Allowance, as I would have NI contributions paid, and they reckon I should claim anything I'm entitled to in any case. But I'm not sure that I WOULD be entitled to it, because if I had a voluntary placement lined up I certainly wouldn't be prepared to cancel it to do some generic temping work in an office or behind a bar (although I would definitely be willing to do it if it wouldn't interfere with voluntary library work).

I've never claimed anything before so I haven't any idea how it all works. Has anyone here ever been in a similar situation? I am tempted not to bother to be honest, it all seems like a lot of hassle though I do want my NI credits...

Any help gratefully received!

dmg24

If you would not be willing to give up your voluntary work for paid work then you would not be eligible for JSA.

JemmaLouise_3

I guess you havent got anything lined up as of yet? I would suggest you go on job seekers allowance, as they don't look for work for you, very very rarely.

It's totally all down to you, to find the work, apply and then write it down in the booklet and then every 2 weeks when you go in to sign in, they basically write down the jobs you applied for and thats it you get your money.

I have been on job seekers since the end of march now and not once have they ever mentioned any temping work or anything too me.

Most people dont even hear back from anywhere they apply now because of the current financial situation.

It's really easy to apply too just do it on the job centre plus website, then someone will ring you, take some details and tell you when your to go into the job centre to sign some papers and then your money starts, simple!

Hope i have helped as much as possible

Absinthe_Fairy

Thanks, both of you. dmg24, that's what I thought, and it seems fair enough to be honest. However I'm sure paid temporary work is going to be incredibly thin on the ground - it's been hard enough to find in the North East in the past (all call centre-based sales work, or waiting tables, which all require experience), and in the current economic climate I think the chances of me finding any are slim to none even if I reject the idea of voluntary work altogether and spend all day trawling employment agency websites.

I haven't anywhere lined up as yet, JemmaLouise, and there's every chance I might not be able to get any voluntary work either - in which case I would just try and get some temping work.

I reckon I'll see what happens about voluntary work, and then make a decision.

Thanks for your help!

306NOTOUT

Volunteers receiving any benefits can continue to perform their voluntary activity for as many hours as they wish, without affecting their benefit entitlement in any way. For JSA recipients, this is subject to the underlying conditions for JSA being met. These conditions include:

• being available for, and
• actively seeking work each week
• having a Jobseeker's Agreement in force.

JSA recipients are required to be able to take up employment immediately of up to 40 hours per week. Jobcentre Plus arrangements, however, provide an important exception to this rule for people undertaking voluntary work. These volunteers must be willing and able to take up employment on being given one week's notice and to attend a job interview within 48 hours.

Thats what the rules state. Advisers are encouraged to get people to do Voluntary work as it is considered that this can only help get them back to work.

Oldernotwiser

306NOTOUT wrote: »

Volunteers receiving any benefits can continue to perform their voluntary activity for as many hours as they wish, without affecting their benefit entitlement in any way. For JSA recipients, this is subject to the underlying conditions for JSA being met. These conditions include:

• being available for, and
• actively seeking work each week
• having a Jobseeker's Agreement in force.

JSA recipients are required to be able to take up employment immediately of up to 40 hours per week. Jobcentre Plus arrangements, however, provide an important exception to this rule for people undertaking voluntary work. These volunteers must be willing and able to take up employment on being given one week's notice and to attend a job interview within 48 hours.

Thats what the rules state. Advisers are encouraged to get people to do Voluntary work as it is considered that this can only help get them back to work.

You're absolutely right on this but you do have to be prepared to give up the voluntary work if you're offered paid employment. If the OP isn't prepared to do this (or at least state that she is prepared;)) then she shouldn't claim JSA.

306NOTOUT

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You're absolutely right on this but you do have to be prepared to give up the voluntary work if you're offered paid employment. If the OP isn't prepared to do this (or at least state that she is prepared;)) then she shouldn't claim JSA.

I thought I covered that:

These volunteers must be willing and able to take up employment on being given one week's notice and to attend a job interview within 48 hours.

snowqueen555

yeh i volunteer in ann office and get jsa, you obviously have to be looking for work and attend any interviews that you are given

Absinthe_Fairy

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You're absolutely right on this but you do have to be prepared to give up the voluntary work if you're offered paid employment. If the OP isn't prepared to do this (or at least state that she is prepared;)) then she shouldn't claim JSA.

Don't know if it makes any difference, but I would be willing to give up the voluntary work for library or information-related paid work as that's my sector of interest (reluctant to use the term 'profession', as I'm not qualified yet, but that's what my Masters is leading towards). I just wouldn't be willing to give it up for generic bar/office/shop work.

FlyingDutchman

I thought there was a restriction on the number of hours you could work voluntarily whilst claiming JSA?

Lollypop75

I'm claiming JSA at the moment, and I'm doing some volunteering.

Basically, to get JSA you have to take three steps each week towards finding work (eg. applying for a job, updating CV, etc.). I don't expect you'll need to apply for bar/admin work.

Just be aware that they actually can be funny about voluntary work. I do about 2 hours a week and it's really flexible. But still after I applied to go on JSA and had my appointment at JCP they sent me a huge letter about it.