Costs of starting work

Person_one

I start a new job soon but won't be paid till six weeks into it!

I've heard of the job centre paying travel expenses for interviews but do they ever give people a little bit towards the costs of commuting for the first few weeks of a job?

Benefits_Bod

Possible lateral thinking time... but more info needed. The following questions may appear intrusive. However, the information will help in advising whether or not you *may* be entitled to "extended payments"** of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit?

1) Er, have you been on HB and/or CTB whilst unemployed? (If not, none of the remaining questions are relevant).

2) Have you been on JSA for at least 26 weeks?

3) At the date immediately before the new job starts, are/were you on income-based JSA?

4) Is the new job expected to last at least 5 weeks?

5) How many hours per week, on average, will the new job be for?

Other benefits that *may* have the same effect include ESA and/or IS - details needed if applicable.

** Extended payments can mean HB/CTB continue at the same rate (i.e. based on state benefits) for 4 weeks after starting work.

briona

Person_one wrote: »

I start a new job soon but won't be paid till six weeks into it!

Forgive my ignorance, but what jobs pay staff on a six-week cycle?

You're more likely to be paid monthly, in which case if you start mid-month you get paid a month's salary pro-rata, e.g., if you only work for 10 days in one month, you'll only get 10 days' salary.

Briona

zzzLazyDaisy

briona wrote: »

Forgive my ignorance, but what jobs pay staff on a six-week cycle?

Some employers do operate this system - certainly some FE colleges work this way.

My friend is paid monthly in arrears - this means that she gets paid for work done in one month at the end of the following month. She started part way through January so only got a part payment at the end of Feb, and her first full month's money at the end of March.

However, it is worth asking the employer if you can have an advance on your wages, at least that would get you through the first few weeks even though it would have to be paid back.

I can't help you with your question about benefits though, sorry.

briona

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Some employers do operate this system - certainly some FE colleges work this way.

I never knew that – it certainly wasn't the case in the college I worked at! – thus I assumed that the OP had misunderstood the 'monthly in arrears' bit of his (?) contract, e.g., thinking that he has to work a full month before being paid anything at all, despite possibly starting mid-month.

tcr_3

Advisers Discretionary Fund might help out with the fares but you need to contact your Job Centre adviser & apply for ADF before you start work. Crisis Loans can help tide you over until you receive your first payment of wages. If you've been on the books for 6 months continuously or more you might get a Job Grant, housing benefit/council tax benefit/mortgage interest run on to cover the first four weeks of employment.

Person_one

They pay monthly, but apparently I won't be on the payroll in time for the payday that's about 2 weeks after I start. I have only spoken to one confused sounding person about this so I may call again to clarify.

I've been on CB JSA since May, no other benefits as living with family, the job is full time (37.5)

I'll ask about the ADF, I think that's what I was thinking of, thanks all!