Well, I have finally admitted defeat.

BAT_FASTARD

Well, I have been looking for a job now for well over a year and i have not managed to find anything due to many different factors including, But not limited to; That there are not a lot of jobs in my local area, I do not really have a great deal of relavent work experiance and I also do not have any access to any cheackable referees / References.

So now after several months of being completly skint I now have literally NO money apart from a bit of lose change, So rather reluctantly I have just applied online for JSA (Well, I hope that that is what the application was for as it did not expresselly say that it was a Job Seekers Allowance Application? But Meh?).

Does anyone now know what happens now regarding my claim? It said that someone would contact me within two working days for a telephone interview, what is this likelly to involve ect?

What willhappen after this phonecall, and how long rougly might it be before I actually get any money, As at the minute if I do manage to get a job interview I cannot really afford to get to it? any help on this would be great, thanks. :-)

Loobysaver

Have you made a claim for contributions or income based JSA online?

I'm only asking as if you have applied for just conts based then you will be better off applying for income based unless you have 2 tax years worth of national insurance contributions.

ChishyChoshy

Typically can take 3 weeks but it does vary. You'll be invited for an interview at the jobcentre. If you need help getting to an interview/clothes for it you can go into a Jobcentre and ask about the advisor discretionary fund they might be able to help. in the meantime you might be able to apply for a crisis loan if no money for food.

Regarding references/work experience try doing some voluntary work, useful since you'll have something current to show people.

BAT_FASTARD

ChishyChoshy wrote: »

Regarding references/work experience try doing some voluntary work, useful since you'll have something current to show people.

Thanks, But I did look into this but all of the volunterring opportunities that I looked into in my local area also wanted References.

sickofusernames

BAT_FASTARD wrote: »

Thanks, But I did look into this but all of the volunterring opportunities that I looked into in my local area also wanted References.

Wow, you can't even get a job volunteering - not knocking your good self but what the hell is wrong with this country if you can't get work for free?

I've been out of work since Dec 2008 so I know how hard it is, thankfully my newborn at the time made me ride out a lot of the miserable days over the year. Have a baby - everyone else is!

LondonDiva

If you don't have work references, then they will accept personal references.

Voluntary agencies have heard / seen it all before and if you take the time to explain to them, will come up to a solution if that is indeed the only barrier to you volunteering.

Kimitatsu

You dont have to put down an employer as your last reference either for a job OR for a voluntary post. You can put down personal references instead, just citing the fact that you have been out of the workforce for the last few months.

I realise that in todays economic climate that even voluntary positions are difficult to come by, I used to recruit volunteers and so can tell you that often if the calibre of the candidate is good and they can pass a CRB, then volunteer organisations are happy to take most people - after all life frequently gets in the way of the big plan we all have!

fivefingers

the phone call is a big string of mainly yes no questions about you and your money etc. nothing major. It lasts about 30 mins tops. Then you have to go the job centre where they create and sign a jobseekers agreement, its all a bit degrading imo... and most 'jobseekers' in the jobcentre seems to smell like weed and wear black tracksuits.

Do your research before you sign your JSA, i got pretty bad terms on mine because i didnt know what i was signing. Ive been getting sent for jobs with 4 hours commuting for min wage etc. Read this before you attend the JC: http://jobseekersallowanceadvice.blogspot.com/