Way out of job interview through the jobcentre?

Sammyantha

Having been on both ends of the stick i.e. currently being out of work and claiming JSA, due to being made redundant by a large company where i earned a very substantial wage for more than 6 years (not to mention unbroken employment history prior to that), i feel i am qualified to argue both for AND against claiming benefits. I am sick to the back teeth of hearing people (mainly on this site i may add) insult those who claim benefits.

Yes I'm aware that the system in this country is flawed at best, and scandalous at worst, and that there are many, many "spongers" who are happy to claim while sitting on their butt and doing little else. Yet what many of you fail to realize is that there are people who for whatever reason, are GENUINELY in need of financial help. In many cases those most in need are not even aware of the options available to them. I'm not excusing the spongers, nor am I encouraging them. But likewise I don't see that having worked in a menial, low paid, crappy job since you left school, and earning just above minimum wage just so you "don't have to sponge", makes you any better than someone who is claiming. In some places they call that a masochistic instinct.

It's very easy to sit in your glass cage, nursing that chip on your shoulder, and judge those around you. But instead of doing so, how about just avoiding those threads that make you angry? Either answer the OP's question in a helpful, informative manner.... or stay away... Not too much to ask is it really.

*Edit* Reading back through this thread something struck me - those posters insulting benefit claimants sound just like ex-smokers. They often make the biggest zealots LOL!

devilivus

Sammyantha wrote: »

But likewise I don't see that having worked in a menial, low paid, crappy job since you left school, and earning just above minimum wage just so you "don't have to sponge", makes you any better than someone who is claiming. In some places they call that a masochistic instinct.

I tend to agree with this. I haven't been on jobseekers allowance but I have now read teh whole thread and people were talking about how they'd work 40 hours per week for the same £65 per week that people on JSA get. Well, that's madness! They say its about 'pride'. 'Pride will kill you faster than a bullet'!
Im fortunate enough at the moment to be earning more than minimum wage, but in the OP's shoes I cant say i wouldn't be feeling the same.

devilivus

devilivus wrote: »

Is that how it works?

Are people who are on JSA and have their rent etc payed for them people who were paying for it themselves and then lost their jobs?
Or do people live with their parents for example, and then go on JSA and then, because they are on JSA, tell the jobcentre to find them a council flat to live and have their bills paid?

Or do they go on JSA and then go and rent a private place and somehow get the governement to pay for that? How could they afford a deposit?

(sorry for all the questions but im quite ignorant to this sort of stuff)

Anyone know what the answer is? My nephew who lives with my brother wants to move out. Im considering paying the deposit on a place for him. can Anyone answer the post I quoted?
cheers

Sammyantha

devilivus wrote: »

Anyone know what the answer is? My nephew who lives with my brother wants to move out. Im considering paying the deposit on a place for him. can Anyone answer the post I quoted?
cheers

I can only answer from my own experience - i applied for help with housing benefit after i lost my job and was already living in my rented accommodation. They don't pay the full amount in most cases unless the rent is very very low. I believe you can do it the other way around too though. Check out the online benefit calculator to see what help may be available.

beth58_2

devilivus wrote: »

Anyone know what the answer is? My nephew who lives with my brother wants to move out. Im considering paying the deposit on a place for him. can Anyone answer the post I quoted?
cheers

I'm not 100% sure but I believe, most LA have a rent deposit scheme to help ppl on low income afford deposits. H/CT benefit will also need to be applied for. The area and size of property detemines how much housing benefit is payed the tennant has to make up the difference.

yorkshirekev

Disregarding what the OP said about the job, it is the mindset that puzzles me. Surely an entry-level, minimum wage job is merely a starting point. Nearly all companies will have some room for progression. After that it is your hands.

You will never find the perfect job, what you have to do is convert the job into a better job (more money, more responsibility). Once you show these people how hard you can work and what you can do, then doors are open for you.

Whatever hardship and initial awkwardness you will have in this job would be merely short-term. If you get this job (or another like it) target yourself a date by which you are going to be promoted. Personally, I always made it on the year's anniversary of taking the job.

By looking at the situation in a more positive and constructive way will transform the way that you work and the way that you view yourself.

The biggest problems with JSA for me is the poverty of ambition that stems from it. If you push yourself and give everything you have to furthering your position, then good things will happen to you. Good luck.

BAILEYS6904

As someone that has been made redundant, lived on benefits for 6 months whilst looking for another job, I can see Sammy's point of view, where you get tarred with the same brush as people that have no intention of going to work.

I dont think anyone on this thread is advocating working if it leaves you less better off, HOWEVER even if the position gives just a small increase if money should be seriously considered. Once you're working, there is then a chance of promotion or wage increase etc. You cant get that on the dole.

By the way OP (and you do seem to be baiting people on here with your attitude by the way), It sounds like you have better qualifications than me. However I worked my way through the ranks for different companies, starting with minimum wage work, and my last job was approx 40k with company car, expense account, travel etc. Its sometimes worth looking to the future, are there prospects within the company, or any parts of the company you would like to move into? Having a foot in the door often gives you the break you need, and the opportunity to show what you're made of. And to be fair, if a boss sees you working ur behind off despite just earning minimum wage, he'll instantly think of you when the chance of a better position comes to his desk for sign off

rhodod

I think its more th OP's attitude that is annoying more people, the fact that he doesn't really put across that he wants to get a job unless it suits him.

Not everyone on benefits are the same, i understand that people don't have a choice when they are made redundant, but the difference is

The people who can't be assed working

and

The people who are desperate to get back on the ladder.

The OP seems to be the first option.


P.s im 27 and worked since i was 18, i wouldn't even know how to claim benefits, but the knowledge on here on how to abuse the system is unreal.

morganedge

BAILEYS6904 wrote: »

By the way OP (and you do seem to be baiting people on here with your attitude by the way)

Certainly not my intentions!
In fact, i've not responded to lots of the abuse, lol. I simply ignored it. I also haven't posted in this thread at all for the last few pages. Hardly feeding the flames, am I? I asked a question. The genuine advice was that I, unfortunately, had to attend the interview. That's it. Done. It wasn't me who took the topic through a side street.

Some people just dont share the same opinions as me. That's fine. Others who have 'thanked me' seem to agree. But the sanctimonious platitudes being spewed are comical.

X_Sentinel

I get what you mean about having to travel for ages, people who drive dont have to get the bus so it never quite as bad. And they shouldn't make you take anything, you have the chance to sit with them and go through the different jobs they have, I was given my 6 month last week and I said I would rather have a job that was closer and they said that was fine and that they would help me to get that. Don't listen to the bitter ones on this website, if they hate their jobs so much they should quit