Help Getting Back To Work

lufcgirl

Hi,

At my 13 week review I was told to look for jobs within a 90 minute radius of my home as opposed to the 60 minutes previously.

Now, it looks like I have a job offer to start on 17th August. Only bad bit is that it's going to be around 90 minutes travelling, maybe even more, by public transport. It's basically bus, train, bus again to get there.

Due to this, the cost of travelling is going to be around £8 per day, and with not being paid until the 25th September (5 weeks after starting) I have no way to be able to pay this much in travel without going onto a credit card.

Is there any help available from JCP with regards to the travelling for the first month? And what happens with regards to signing off? I'm due to sign on Tuesday, but will find out for definite about the job start date on the Thursday.

Thanks

NASA_2

How long have you been on JSA(IB)?

I_luv_cats

You need to sign Tuesday, (or your claim might be shut as failed to sign) once you have your start date then you will need to sign off .

Crisis Loan may be an option.

lufcgirl

NASA wrote: »

How long have you been on JSA(IB)?

Fourteen weeks

NASA_2

lufcgirl wrote: »

Fourteen weeks

Crisis Loan under 'Alignment to wages' is an option but you will need something from your potential employer saying how much you will earn and when you first get paid..

Albannach1876

Ask for help from an adviser under the Adviser Discretion Fund - you will need to provide details of the exact fares for your journeys - as the name suggests, it's not a right but at the discretion of the adviser, but it is a pool of money designed to get people over barriers to starting employment, which it sounds like you have. You need to apply before you start work or it can't be paid. Good luck!

lufcgirl

Well...I went in during signing today to ask about it.

The conversation went like this

Me: As part of my new agreement I was advised to look for work 90 minutes away, and I've been offered a job in Darlington which is approx 90 minutes and £8 per day in bus fares. Is there any help available with travel?
Advisor: Darlington? I wouldn't even contemplate travelling that far. No theres no help.
Me: So because of the costs involved with this until I get paid, would you suggest I turn down the job?
Advisor: (whispering) Well you haven't officially told us that you've been offered it...

I walked out of there laughing so much! Who says I want to stay on JSA when I can get a job, albeit far away?!

Albannach1876

Oh dear. If it was just your normal signing day, you may have got an inexperienced admin officer who didn't know all the rules - it's an adviser you need to speak to. Maybe try ringing? Hope you get it sorted!

vbird74

What about asking your new employer if you could try it out as a Work Trial for a few weeks to see if the travel is 'doable'? but yes as previous post said you need to speak to an advisor they should consider Advisor Discretion Fund to help pay your 1st months travel costs.