Job or Benefits? :/

soupface

Taxpayers money only goes so far.

Too true...

hullight

It's called JobSEEKERS for a reason you know.

busy_mom_2

pinkshoes wrote: »

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.

My team do concentrate on everyone claims JSA help is there for those who need it, and those that don't want it and don't comply have their benefit sanctioned. i except there will always be those who enjoy and are perfectly capable of living of JSA amounts and we will never remove this culture , but we try.
People are allowed to do as much voluntary work that they want provided they work for a registered charity or serve the local community but they still have to be prepared to accept full time employment and if they refuse because of voluntary work they end of as being classes and unavailable and sanctioned.

passatrider

busy_mom wrote: »

My team do concentrate on everyone claims JSA help is there for those who need it, and those that don't want it and don't comply have their benefit sanctioned. i except there will always be those who enjoy and are perfectly capable of living of JSA amounts and we will never remove this culture , but we try.
People are allowed to do as much voluntary work that they want provided they work for a registered charity or serve the local community but they still have to be prepared to accept full time employment and if they refuse because of voluntary work they end of as being classes and unavailable and sanctioned.

Fair enough, but why do JCP tarn everyone with the same brush when it comes to claiming?

I had to claim JSA recently and because I missed my first signing day my claim was closed the next day. I told them it was a mistake over dates as I was told to sign two weeks from my client interview. I made a statement to support this and it was thrown out.
I know some people do try it on but come on where is common sense when it comes to situations like this? To make it worse the JCP adviser advised me to LIE the next time as it would probably have been accepted!

I think the way JCP staff treat some jobseekers today is frankly appalling..

ninky_2

you've got to look at this as short term loss (financial) for longterm gain (work experience, career prospects, self confidence, life opportunties to name a few). whilst the jobseekers may pay more temporarily, let's face it, it's prospects are not great. however, if you take this job you are likely to gain valuable experience, referees, contacts and a much improved CV. it's a little like being a student. people actually pay to study and it prevents them earning but they do it because it is likely to improve their future lifestyle.

Welshwoofs

The longer you are on JSA, the less your chances of gaining employment get as any employer will simply wonder what prevented you finding work.

Volunteering is great as a beneficial (to society and you) thing to do whilst looking for work, but you can't restrict your availability for full-time work because of voluntary work you simply have to fit it in around your job.

flinky478

I have just signed on for the first time in my life. I used to be in the Army, then after marrying a military man spent the last 6 years abroad working for the MOD. After being posted back into UK, and having little luck on the job front so far, I went along to my JS interview, spent 2 and half hours there, only to be told i probably wouldnt be eligible anyway.
I also volunteer at a cancer research shop, but was told I would have to give up my volunteering if a job came along. Thats just the way it is. I hated signing on, and can't imagine doing it for long as I think it will eat away at my self esteem very quickly.
My advice, get any job you can as it will help with all sorts of things, and people always say that its easier to get a job when you're already in a job, so you may find that your perfect job comes up but you are earning an honest wage whilst waiting for it.

bills_2

If what you earn is a week is more than JSA doing that 15hours then you won't get JSA and your housing benefits will be cut.

This happened to me cos I worked 15hour in a pub and I got no JSA and my housing benefits weren't even half of my rent.

Was tough as all my wages went on rent and buying cheap crud food and the council tax that I still had to pay. I know what I would do if I ended up jobless again! The system is naff!

donnajunkie

bills wrote: »

If what you earn is a week is more than JSA doing that 15hours then you won't get JSA and your housing benefits will be cut.

This happened to me cos I worked 15hour in a pub and I got no JSA and my housing benefits weren't even half of my rent.

Was tough as all my wages went on rent and buying cheap crud food and the council tax that I still had to pay. I know what I would do if I ended up jobless again! The system is naff!

the benefits system is totally messed up. i currently live with my dad and we are both on benefits. after housing benefit the rent due for our house is £15 per week. if either me or my dad lived by ourselves the rent would be £6 per week. so if i moved out and got my own place i would pay £6 and my dad would be paying £6. so the total rent for two houses would be £3 less per week than what it is for the one house.

Apolonation

passatrider wrote: »

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?

When working less than 16 hours JSA is reduced like for like, with the exception of a 20 pound disregard, first 20 you earn in a week is discounted.