Back To Work Session.....JCP

stockport

Been to JCP today and was told that I have to attend a Back To Work Session next week. I'm annoyed that this is not on my signing week, and as I don't live near JCP, I've got to find additional money for fuel and parking (approx £7 each sign on), for an extra trip to JCP. I wouldn't be so annoyed if it was the same day I sign on. I'm expecting it to be an utter waste of time and money, but could anyone tell me what to expect from this session?

busy_mom_2

stockport wrote: »

Been to JCP today and was told that I have to attend a Back To Work Session next week. I'm annoyed that this is not on my signing week, and as I don't live near JCP, I've got to find additional money for fuel and parking (approx £7 each sign on), for an extra trip to JCP. I wouldn't be so annoyed if it was the same day I sign on. I'm expecting it to be an utter waste of time and money, but could anyone tell me what to expect from this session?

back to work seesions are a mandatory requirement between 6 - 9 of a new claim to jsa. They are information sessions to assist you with jobsearch and remind you of the help and support available to jobseekers. As to whether you will find them a waste of time is down to opinion. As it is not on your signing day you will have a refund of the cheapest form of transport. So if there is a bus from your home you would be expected to use it and your fares can be refunded.

stockport

busy_mom wrote: »

back to work seesions are a mandatory requirement between 6 - 9 of a new claim to jsa. They are information sessions to assist you with jobsearch and remind you of the help and support available to jobseekers. As to whether you will find them a waste of time is down to opinion. As it is not on your signing day you will have a refund of the cheapest form of transport. So if there is a bus from your home you would be expected to use it and your fares can be refunded.

Thanks for your reply busy mom, especially the bit about the travel. Does it have to be a bus or can I drive? Also when do I get my money back.

millsymuttleylaugh

You can drive but I think they'd only give you back what the cheapest travel fare would cost.

If you ask at the session, they'll get a form, they fill it in and you sign it and you'll get the money that day from the payment window

Emma_M_2

A close friend of mine has just been on one of these back to work sessions she was there for 1 hour. First of all there was just a person explaining about what you can expect from the job centre and there help etc. Then someone else came out and he wrote on a white board ''jobs and where to look'' then they had to shout out (if wanting to) how you can look for jobs etc.

Then they were given a pack of information and then they could go.

donnajunkie

busy_mom wrote: »

back to work seesions are a mandatory requirement between 6 - 9 of a new claim to jsa. They are information sessions to assist you with jobsearch and remind you of the help and support available to jobseekers. As to whether you will find them a waste of time is down to opinion. As it is not on your signing day you will have a refund of the cheapest form of transport. So if there is a bus from your home you would be expected to use it and your fares can be refunded.

i attended one of these sessions and it was more like 13 weeks before i had to do it. they are a waste a time for everyone except the totally clueless. they dont tell you anything you dont already know. i think i helped out the person doing ours. when she talked about doing part time courses at college and the benefits of it. i added that you can also get a student union card and that qualifies you to concessions at various places. i am willing to bet she has mentioned that everytime since.
on claiming bus fares they need to make sure they keep their bus ticket to prove they have used transport. i mean they could live 10 miles away but they still need to prove they didnt walk there.
edit.
i think you can claim some money if you drive but i'm not sure. its not very much i think and it is worked out at so much per mile.

codwidow

donnajunkie wrote: »

i attended one of these sessions and it was more like 13 weeks before i had to do it. they are a waste a time for everyone except the totally clueless. they dont tell you anything you dont already know. i think i helped out the person doing ours. when she talked about doing part time courses at college and the benefits of it. i added that you can also get a student union card and that qualifies you to concessions at various places. i am willing to bet she has mentioned that everytime since.
on claiming bus fares they need to make sure they keep their bus ticket to prove they have used transport. i mean they could live 10 miles away but they still need to prove they didnt walk there.
edit.
i think you can claim some money if you drive but i'm not sure. its not very much i think and it is worked out at so much per mile.

What she said

They are just mandatory now, no one wants to go so you can imagine the level of enthusiasm......

stockport

Thanks for all your help, sounds like it's going to be just what I expected.

donnajunkie

codwidow wrote: »

They are just mandatory now, no one wants to go so you can imagine the level of enthusiasm......

yeah, they gave us all a sheet for recording jobsearch and said bring it along when you sign on. i was slow getting up to leave at the end and noticed most of the sheets were still on the table.

bigmacman

Its the biggest load of nonsense agoing i went it was no help what so ever.
All they do is tell you what you dont know already really but yeah like everyone else said get a claim form for your travel expenses.

stockport

Thanks to everybody for their help. I went to the session and it was exactly as many people said, and was a waste of my time. It was very patronising and stated the obvious. At the end I asked for and received my bus fare.