Friend's parents in their 50's - which New Deal scheme?

book12

My friend's parents who are claiming JSA as a couple (in their 50s) are unemployed. The husband has been made redundant, and the wife has been a house wife for a long time and want to get back to work. The wife has been working from age 18-30. From that age until now, she hasn't had any form of employment. That means she has no work experience. She has applied for jobs, but is getting declined. Obviously, both of them want to be in employment ASAP.

They have read the New Deal booklets (old style) in the JobCentre. They are not sure which one they will be on (New Deal 25 Plus, 50 Plus, or Partners). They will be coming up to 6 months unemployment, and their 26 week review is soon. They understand that the New Deal 50 Plus and New Deal for Partners scheme are voluntary. Would the JC force them on it? If not, what is done if they choose not to go on New Deal? I think the wife doesn't mind, but the husband don't want to, as he knows how to write a CV, do well in interviews, and has lots of experience.

Suggestions appreciated.

Oldernotwiser

book12 wrote: »

My friend's parents who are claiming JSA as a couple (in their 50s) are unemployed. The husband has been made redundant, and the wife has been a house wife for a long time and want to get back to work. The wife has been working from age 18-30. From that age until now, she hasn't had any form of employment. That means she has no work experience. She has applied for jobs, but is getting declined. Obviously, both of them want to be in employment ASAP.

They have read the New Deal booklets (old style) in the JobCentre. They are not sure which one they will be on (New Deal 25 Plus, 50 Plus, or Partners). They will be coming up to 6 months unemployment, and their 26 week review is soon. They understand that the New Deal 50 Plus and New Deal for Partners scheme are voluntary. Would the JC force them on it? If not, what is done if they choose not to go on New Deal? I think the wife doesn't mind, but the husband don't want to, as he knows how to write a CV, do well in interviews, and has lots of experience.

Suggestions appreciated.

If they genuinely want to work then New Deal may be exactly what's needed, particularly for the wife. Although you hear negative things about it I've had clients make good progress if they go into it with an open mind.

Have you suggested that the wife take on some voluntary work to learn some skills and get a relevant reference? Just plugging away at interviews without getting any experience isn't really going to be much help.

It's hard to say that you want to be in work and then refuse the help that's offered to enable you to do so.

book12

I told my friend's mum about it. She said she rathe go to the JC, and ask the advisor to set her up a work placement/experience.

donnajunkie

new deal has changed recently to flexible new deal. how it affects people over 50 i dont know. certainly until recently it would have been the new deal 50 plus that you would do. unless you are willing to do any kind of job for any kind of money i dont advise volunteering for new deal, it is a waste of time for most people. they only get in the jobs no-one wants. at some point you may have no choice and the jobcentre may force you to do new deal. until then it maybe better to do a combination of voluntary work and applying for jobs at the same time.

busy_mom_2

50+ customers journey through new deal is no different, the only difference is when you do find work you are entitled to 50+ element of working tax credit. This is extra money for 26 weeks ( i think may be 12mnths, been a long while since i did any 50+ customers) dependant upon income and the amount of hours you will be working.

Landslide_Victory

busy_mom wrote: »

50+ customers journey through new deal is no different, the only difference is when you do find work you are entitled to 50+ element of working tax credit. This is extra money for 26 weeks ( i think may be 12mnths, been a long while since i did any 50+ customers) dependant upon income and the amount of hours you will be working.

Yes busy mom 50+ element of WTC is paid for 12 months providing they are returning to work after a continuous period of 6 months claiming benefits.

donnajunkie

one thing to consider is after the 12 months of 50+wtc it will be cut by a massive amount. my dads got cut from £85 to £30 per week.

Oldernotwiser

donnajunkie wrote: »

one thing to consider is after the 12 months of 50+wtc it will be cut by a massive amount. my dads got cut from £85 to £30 per week.

For some people, the cup is always half empty!

donnajunkie

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

For some people, the cup is always half empty!

its an important thing to consider if the job is low paid. £30 wtc may not be enough to get by. you wouldnt be able to leave the job due to this. my dad went from managing ok to struggling due to the cut in wtc.