Discretionary Fund

Tippytoes

I've heard conflicting things about this, and wonder if anyone out there can give me a definitive answer? Is there such a thing as a "discretionary fund" for JSA claiming jobseekers? I've been told that financial help is available for claimants who, for instance, have no money for "interview clothes, transport to and from interviews" etc. I've heard this funding is never openly advertised and has to be virtually begged for, but IS there for genuine claimants. I just wondered if anyone has benefited from it and how well under wraps it is kept!

Fran

You can get help with transport to interviews but must ask them beforehand. I think there is also money available that can be used for clothes but you'd have to check whether you'd qualify it might be long term unemployed. Ask next time you're signing on, it's not a secret.

cattie

A friend was able to claim for interview clothes including shoes, the cost of getting her hair cut & blow dried so she'd be presentable for interviews, free travel cards to enable her to attend interviews & a mobile phone as she had damaged her old one.

When she got a job she was provided with further help to get another outfit for work. Some people seem to have a knack of always knowing just what you can get for free & playing on it & it seems to pay off for them. So, ask your job advisor about getting help if you need it.

busy_mom_2

As a rule the maximum anyone can have under ADF is £300, if you need clothes for interviews you need to contact your office and take proof of the interview.
As a rule I issue £50 for interview clothes and provided the person provides the receipts they are then able to access further funding when they secure employment.
In our guidance ADF is there to remove a barrier to employment, if may be a forklift refresher or interview clothes, work boots etc. It cannot be used for living expenses.

KimYeovil

£50 for interview clothes? ROTFLMOL. They'd be better off wearing trackie bottoms and a hoodie.

Bogof_Babe

I could get respectable and adequate interview clothes for a tenner from a charity shop! Maybe not a suit, but certainly smart black trousers or skirt, blouse and jacket. Another fiver would sort shoes out too!

You've got to know where to look for best prices and quality though .

busy_mom_2

KimYeovil wrote: »

£50 for interview clothes? ROTFLMOL. They'd be better off wearing trackie bottoms and a hoodie.

How do you work that one out?

At the end of the day all that needed for an interview is trouser/ skirt and shirt/ blouse. Most people have clothes from previous work that is more than adequate, long term unemployed may need it.

The more you have for interview clothes the less you can have later on if you get the job, if they then get the job they can have more clothes that will last a couple of day. ie 2/3 pairs of trousers a couple of shirts and some petrol expenses. They can then afford to buy more once they get paid. As i said the maximum is £300 it is to be used to remove a barrier not buy fashion labels.
It is called adviser discretion fund not free shopping!!!!

KimYeovil

If some recalcitrant unemployed loafer is prepared to be suited and booted for £50 (or insists they can only afford to pay £2 for a chicken) here's an alternative proposal - since they don't give a damn about workers in the rag trade we should build factory ships and anchor them outside UK waters. If they refuse a minimum wage job (or if they play up when given a placement) then they get sent off to the ship for six months where they can be paid £5.80 per day.

We can send debtors and bankrupts there as well to pay off their debts. (As a concession they can be notionally paid £5.80 per hour but only as a credit towards their debts.)

Dullville

My JCP was great in helping me out with the ADF,paid for my digital tacho card,new suit and a sat-nav and then when I signed off they gave me £100 for fuel to get to work as i wouldnt get paid for 5 weeks.

Chris_M_3

I've been unemployed now for 8 months and I will ask about ADF to buy a suit and shoes, when I next sign-on.

KimYeovil wrote: »

£50 for interview clothes? ROTFLMOL. They'd be better off wearing trackie bottoms and a hoodie.

busy_mom wrote: »

How do you work that one out?

My problem is I'm not average size, I'm 5'3" so off-the-peg suits don't fit and getting one altered to fit, will cost around £250. I've asked.

As you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, it's pointless buying a cheap £50 suit and then spending £250 to get it altered to fit.

So I intend to get a tailored, fitted suit with my ADF grant. I can then get a decent suit that will look good on me for around £320.

http://www.asuitthatfits.com/shop/index.php

busy_mom wrote: »

It is called adviser discretion fund not free shopping!!!!

In my case, a £50 suit is a complete waste of money and spending £320 on a decent suit that looks good and more importantly, gives me the confidence to excel in an interview, (and interviews are all about confidence and presentation),.....is money well spent. Or do you not agree??

PaisleyPPL

hahaha £250 quid to alter a suit ,my !!!!in god !:eek:

Emmmmm anyone heard of primark ? and wonder web to shorten the trousers?