Job Seekers Allowance after maternity leave & redundancy advice please

nichola_jh

cherrycat wrote: »

Hi everyone

Really desperate for some advice regarding JSA after redundancy.

I went to sign on for the first time in my working life today...and what a horrible experience it was. I am a qualified MH nurse who has worked in substance misuse for a number of years. I have just been on maternity leave and was made redundant in the last few months of my leave.

My son is 9 months old and I do want to go back to work part time....but doing something that I am qualified for and pays enough to justify paying nursery fees 2-3days aweek so that I can bring some money home.

Anyway I explained this today when I was signing on and the response I got from the Job Centre lady left me flat and feeling useless.
She said I cant be fussy about what I apply for...regarding skills and salary expectancy.....that I would have to be more flexible with hours etc....bearing in mind I am a mum and do want a job even though this can only be part time (I wont put my child in full time nursery care for any job)
I felt as though i'm only going to get JSA if i'm prepared to take any job, low wage or full time.,...do you think i'm beinga bit discriminated against?

I want to work part time, not scrounge off the government, this is a genuine claim as I have worked all my life and never claimed a single benefit.Can they make me take any old job and stop my JSA even if my personal circumsantces stop me from working full time?
Does any one have any advice?

Many thanks

Cherry, I see this post is a few months old, how did you get on with claiming JSA / finding suitable work? I am in the same situation as you so any advice would be great.