travel to interview expenses reimbursement takes 3 weeks?

Element_2

When I last used the 'travel to interview' expenses claim forms five years ago I would get a giro the same day I brought the form back to the jobcentre. Now it seems the system has changed and my local jobcentre tells me they have to send the form to a cardiff office to be processed and the money will be paid into my bank account between 2 and 3 weeks later...
Is this really the case or is my local office just being awkward? Surely it's not hard to look at the form and telephone the potential future employer to confirm I did attend the interview... That's what used to happen with the Bridgend jobcentre in Wales...
Has anyone else used this scheme and had to then wait up to 3 weeks for reimbursement?

scooterchick

Sounds to me like they're being awkward. Did you use public transport? Do you have reciepts? Did you inform them before going for the interview? Did you use the cheapest method of travel available? If all the aforementioned is in order I would have a giro issued immediately.

Element_2

No - my interview is next week - but I was just checking out the system was the same as last time... I'll be using my car; they were sticking (insisting really) that it would be based on the train fare irrespective of the distance; they'd give me 25p a mile for the 17 miles to the nearest train station, the equivalent of the cheapest train ticket there and back and 25p a mile for the 17 miles from the station to home again. My interview is at 9am I said - how do you expect me to catch a train to get me there in time? The response was 'we'll pay you up to £30 to stay overnight by going the day before by train'. So it seems as though this particular office (Perth) make their own rules.
The cheapest travelodge I can get the night before costs me £32 but that is 18 miles away from the interview location.
I think I'll visit my local CAB office and find out what the rules actually are and then go back with the facts; the crux of the issue lies in their advance refusal to issue a giro when I bring the form back after the interview... It seems ludicrous!

scooterchick

How will you get to work if your car breaks down? What time is the earliest train? It's hard to say without knowing all the facts but in light of what you've said I suspect they're being reasonable.

Element_2

The job that I have applied to is in Leeds, I live near Perth; if I get the job I will relocate to Leeds. My car is very reliable. The whole ethos of this post is in regard to the jobcentre saying that when they are in possession of a TTI form after I have been to the interview - they will then effectively take up to 3 weeks to reimburse the cost incurred for travelling to the interview. Whereas in the past (when I was previously unemployed years ago) I would get a giro that day for reimbursement of such costs. It has nothing to do with what transport is used to get to the interview - it is the principle of delay of reimbursement. I see them as being definitely unreasonable; particularly in the light that you mentioned you'd get your giro immediately... How can it be immediate for one person and up to 3 weeks delay for another person - for the same thing?

Vader123

Try here for nearer as cheap accomodation

http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/

Vader

woody01

You want to think yourself lucky that someone is paying for you to travel at all.

If you don't like being subsidised to go to interview, and don't like the protocols involved, then don't go!

scooterchick

Element wrote: »

The job that I have applied to is in Leeds, I live near Perth; if I get the job I will relocate to Leeds. My car is very reliable. The whole ethos of this post is in regard to the jobcentre saying that when they are in possession of a TTI form after I have been to the interview - they will then effectively take up to 3 weeks to reimburse the cost incurred for travelling to the interview. Whereas in the past (when I was previously unemployed years ago) I would get a giro that day for reimbursement of such costs. It has nothing to do with what transport is used to get to the interview - it is the principle of delay of reimbursement. I see them as being definitely unreasonable; particularly in the light that you mentioned you'd get your giro immediately... How can it be immediate for one person and up to 3 weeks delay for another person - for the same thing?

Most likely because you're not using the most direct method of transport it would have to be authorised by someone higher than an advisor. Do you have a good chance of getting the job? Can you imagine how much it would cost if people started having interviews all over the country and billing JCP for their tavel expenses? As someone else has said I would be grateful you're getting help and wouldn't rock the boat. They were within their rights to refuse completely.