Grant for a suit

Notebook

Read the thread about help with an interview suit. How/where do you apply? 52" chest ex rugby player, so standard stuff wont fit.
Any real help appreciated.
Thanks

viktory

Speak to the advisors in the JCP. I am reasonably sure that they won't pay for a made to measure suit though! You'll probably get vouchers for a shirt and jacket from somewhere like Burtons.

dmg24

viktory wrote: »

Speak to the advisors in the JCP. I am reasonably sure that they won't pay for a made to measure suit though! You'll probably get vouchers for a shirt and jacket from somewhere like Burtons.

This is correct ... and Burton do go up to a 52 chest.

Orville

You have upto £300 to spend on anything that helps you get back into work, this could be for tools or anything really, including a suit. i think it's called the Advisor Discretionary Fund. Be aware though that you have to be unemployed (i think) for 6 months before you are entitled to this benefit and it is at the advisors discretion.

borders_dude

Why do you need a full suit?

Im shure trousers, shirt and tie with some shoes will be enough.

You could always apply for a loan from the social fund rather than depending on the handout.

dmg24

Orville wrote: »

You have upto £300 to spend on anything that helps you get back into work, this could be for tools or anything really, including a suit. i think it's called the Advisor Discretionary Fund. Be aware though that you have to be unemployed (i think) for 6 months before you are entitled to this benefit and it is at the advisors discretion.

The clothing grant is given as vouchers.

dugdale_2

An adviser can award advisers discretionary fund up to the value of £300, any higher than that needs to be authorised by a more senior JCP staff member. If you have been awarded any ADF in the previous 12 months that will count towards your £300.

ADF is available from day 1 of your claim so no need to wait six months.

As an adviser I would want written proof that you have an interview before I awarded ADF for an interview suit and I most definately wouldn't pay the full £300. Burtons do a suit set consisting of jacket, trousers, shirt and tie for £99 whilst a pair of shoes can be bought for £30.

JCP have an invoice account with Suits Plus and they most definately will have jackets and trousers that will fit as a customer of mine required an interview suit last week and they were the only local store than had anything that would fit him.

Orville

dmg24 wrote: »

The clothing grant is given as vouchers.

Clothing Grant..? Sorry i don't know about that i was talking about the ADF. You goto the shop where you want to get the suit from, get them to write an invoice up on headed paper with the amounts on the go back to the JC and they give you a giro for the amount. You then purchase the suit and take the receipt back to the JC.

Orville

dugdale wrote: »

An adviser can award advisers discretionary fund up to the value of £300, any higher than that needs to be authorised by a more senior JCP staff member. If you have been awarded any ADF in the previous 12 months that will count towards your £300.

ADF is available from day 1 of your claim so no need to wait six months.

As an adviser I would want written proof that you have an interview before I awarded ADF for an interview suit and I most definately wouldn't pay the full £300. Burtons do a suit set consisting of jacket, trousers, shirt and tie for £99 whilst a pair of shoes can be bought for £30.

JCP have an invoice account with Suits Plus and they most definately will have jackets and trousers that will fit as a customer of mine required an interview suit last week and they were the only local store than had anything that would fit him.

Hi.

My apologies i didn't know it was avaliable from day 1. I was only notified of it afer 6 months. Apologies to the op for giving the wrong info....:o

dugdale_2

Used to only be available after 6 months but is now available from day 1 of claim.
As an adviser I try not to give Giros, BAC transfers or cash payments for ADF as there are a number of stores (including Burtons and Suits Plus) who accept a voucher from JCP for payment of goods.

dmg24

Orville wrote: »

Clothing Grant..? Sorry i don't know about that i was talking about the ADF. You goto the shop where you want to get the suit from, get them to write an invoice up on headed paper with the amounts on the go back to the JC and they give you a giro for the amount. You then purchase the suit and take the receipt back to the JC.

See dugdale's response. It would be very unusual to give cash for clothing.