Job or Benefits? :/

soupface

I've got an interview for a part-time job that will pay minimum wage, which is £4.83 at my age. The most I can work is 15 hours per week because of volunteering commitments (I'm really trying not to lose these as they're pivotal in furthering my career and I haven't been doing it long), and this job was advertised as only up to 20.

At the moment I'm on JSA and housing benefit and I get just under £500 a month. I live with my partner who receives a student loan so my benefits are somewhat affected by this. I know that if I get this job and work 15 hours, I'm still entitled to some JSA, but would it be significantly reduced? What about the housing benefit?

Basically I'm trying to figure out if I'd be better off if I got this job or not. We're struggling as it is, since I can't take too much of my partner's loan, and as much as I'd like to work we really can't afford to be any worse off.

Any thoughts much appreciated!

passatrider

If you were a single person then the 15 hours would cancel out your JSA as this equates to £72.45, which is more than the law says you need to live on. Iam sure JSA is reduced £1 for every £1 that you earn but I'm sure someone will correct me on that one.
What is your JSA payment each week?

Housing benefit will also be affected too as i think it is reduced 65 pence for every pound you earn over your current JSA amount.

Why not speak to a benefits adviser at the jobcentre to see if you will be any worse off?

jdturk

if you can work you should work, benefits are meant to be there for people in dire situations.

larmy16

jdturk wrote: »

if you can work you should work, benefits are meant to be there for people in dire situations.

Oh really! I can understand that no - one in their right mind would want to be worse off financially - it has no logic. However in the case of the OP I believe that if she would gain psychologically from doing the work and is no worse off then it would be good for her CV.

Very best of luck to you on this.

soupface

Thanks passatrider, that makes it easier to calculate! I'll check it with the JC too, I was going to do anyway but wondered if I was missing something I could find out beforehand.

busy_mom_2

if you are saying the most you can work is 15 hours then you shouldn't be be claiming JSA, you should of filled in a declareation about your voluntary work and be prepared to give this up to take on full time employment.
Ifyou are not prepared to do this then a decision maker should be looking at your availability. What information have you given to JCP? What times does your agreement say you are available for work? Jobseekers is not there to allow you do keep the wolf from the door whilst you wait to find the ideal job. I accept your voluntary work can help you long term but you should be prepared to support yourself now.

LeeSouthEast

Although it may see you worse off financially, I think employment brings a raft of other 'benefits'. Social workplace skills, job-based skills, CV opportunity, field networking and so forth.

Not trying to talk you into or out of it, but presenting a "there is more to life than money" viewpoint.

soupface

Okay, I've just worked it out and if passatrider is correct, I would be better off if i got this job, even if I continue to be selfish and volunteer at an understaffed special school ... I'll still check with the JC of course. Thanks larmy for the luck, the job's pretty menial but it could indeed come in handy on the CV. Out of curiosity, do you remember how you got that info passatrider, about how much the benefits are reduced?

jdturk

larmy16 wrote: »

Oh really! I can understand that no - one in their right mind would want to be worse off financially - it has no logic. However in the case of the OP I believe that if she would gain psychologically from doing the work and is no worse off then it would be good for her CV.

Very best of luck to you on this.

If you work and you earn less than being on benefits it has alot going for it, as people have said about the social aspect but also the fact there are no gaps on your cv, it may lead to better jobs etc etc

busy_mom_2

soupface wrote: »

Okay, I've just worked it out and if passatrider is correct, I would be better off if i got this job, even if I continue to be selfish and volunteer at an understaffed special school ... I'll still check with the JC of course. Thanks larmy for the luck, the job's pretty menial but it could indeed come in handy on the CV. Out of curiosity, do you remember how you got that info passatrider, about how much the benefits are reduced?

Rules are there i'm afraid, if you are volunteering at school you could still technically work more than 15 hours, evenings weekends.
I now many people would love to give more time to good causes, benefits are not there for this. Jobseekers is paid for those who are available and actively seeking. Less people on benefit more funding available for schools. Taxpayers money only goes so far. I don't make rules I'm paid to enforce them.

pinkshoes

busy_mom wrote: »

Rules are there i'm afraid, if you are volunteering at school you could still technically work more than 15 hours, evenings weekends.
I now many people would love to give more time to good causes, benefits are not there for this. Jobseekers is paid for those who are available and actively seeking. Less people on benefit more funding available for schools. Taxpayers money only goes so far. I don't make rules I'm paid to enforce them.

Well in that case the rules suck!

I would much rather someone spent 15 hours a week doing worthwhile volunteering and still claim JSA, rather than sitting on their derriere all day claiming JSA!!

If you're being paid to enforce the rules, then you should concentrate on the bone idol rather than those that help society.