Grant for clothes for an interview

Savvy_Sue

Let's blame the nice weather for all this prickliness ...

Depending on where the interview is in relation to the shops and the job centre, you might well struggle to get anything sorted by 11 am Monday. I'd have been trawling the charity shops this afternoon, but seeing as how they're not open on Sundays, I'd be phoning all my friends who were or used to be a similar size to see if anyone could lend me a skirt or smart trousers which if necessary I'd wear with my tidiest t-shirt.

I realise that working out who's a similar size may require tact and diplomacy, but if they're good friends and you get it hopelessly wrong I'm sure they won't mind, and if they're not good friends they don't matter.

Doesn't solve the shoe problem if you don't still have smart shoes. Essential that they are clean and polished (if leather).

oldmotherreilly

Savvy Sue is correct and there will be no chance of getting an ADF invoice, getting to the shops and buying the clothes before your interview-you'd be on the edge of a nervous breakdown by the time you got there! This is not intended as a slight in anyway but as you are on JSA (Contributions), have you a partner who could help you with the cost of the clothes? If not, someone close you could lend you the money? If you have, hang on to the receipts and ask the JCP if they will reimburse the costs you have incurred as you were in no way able to get to them before the interview. The only problem with this is that they have to take the original receipts so that they have a paper trail for audit purposes, which can be a problem if you later need to return the clothes for some reason. I would advise phoning them as soon as the office opens tomorrow (ie before you go to the interview so that they know you have made all reasonable efforts to get the ADF payment before the interview)

Fly_Baby

I am very surprised to hear about this fund. When I was out of job for a while and didn't get any spare money for the interview clothes I went to the nearest charity shop and picked a jacket for £3. It was nothing fancy but it did have the required business-like cut which is all I was looking for. I wore it with plain black trousers which I am sure any woman has - or I could again find them in that charity shop for another £3-4.

I got the job.

I cannot help but wonder what other funds the government will come up with just to get people to go to work and find a solution for any excuse not to - such as "I don't have interview clothes". There are charity shops, there are value supermarkets, there are credits cards after all for this one very justifiable expense. If you want this job it's up to you to get it - not to wait for someone to equip you to such a ridiculous extent as buy you clothes.

OP, best of luck in your interview. It's not your fault that the system is so indulging so why shouldn't you be using it.

oldmotherreilly

Did you manage to get something sorted out for your interview? How did it go?

red_devil

Fly_Baby wrote: »

I am very surprised to hear about this fund. When I was out of job for a while and didn't get any spare money for the interview clothes I went to the nearest charity shop and picked a jacket for £3. It was nothing fancy but it did have the required business-like cut which is all I was looking for. I wore it with plain black trousers which I am sure any woman has - or I could again find them in that charity shop for another £3-4.

I got the job.

I cannot help but wonder what other funds the government will come up with just to get people to go to work and find a solution for any excuse not to - such as "I don't have interview clothes". There are charity shops, there are value supermarkets, there are credits cards after all for this one very justifiable expense. If you want this job it's up to you to get it - not to wait for someone to equip you to such a ridiculous extent as buy you clothes.

OP, best of luck in your interview. It's not your fault that the system is so indulging so why shouldn't you be using it.

Its in the governments interest to offer help as they know if someone gets a job they will be off the dole and paying taxes. They figure its a small outlay for a possible large return.

Fly_Baby

red_devil wrote: »

Its in the governments interest to offer help as they know if someone gets a job they will be off the dole and paying taxes. They figure its a small outlay for a possible large return.

So if that someone doesn't go to interviews because they cannot bother going to Marie Curie Cancer Research and spending a fiver on a second hand jacket - then the government should assume that it failed to provide enough motivation? That's ridiculous if you ask me.

What else do they need? Travel expenses to get to the interview? Consultation with occupational psychologist? Home help for the initial period as they adjust to their new routine? How long does government have to go to get that "possible large return"? Honestly, a good smack would work better - but I'm not getting into this now...

red_devil

There is no point arguing the government deem its worthwhile to help people back into work they want people to work.

People are also damned if they do and damned if they dont. They get slated for not being able to afford clothing for interviews and if they could people would say how do they afford that;).

Good luck to anyone who gets the grant.

Fly_Baby

red_devil wrote: »

There is no point arguing the government deem its worthwhile to help people back into work they want people to work.

Don't people want to work then? If they do they will figure out how to dress themselves for an interview. If they don't then all smart clothes wouldn't help them feel motivated and stick to the job.

red_devil

What you say is irrelevant the grant is there people are using it. The government have taken a decision to have one.

Fly_Baby

red_devil wrote: »

What you say is irrelevant the grant is there people are using it. The government have taken a decision to have one.

Then the government is wrong.