Rapid Reclaim versus Fresh Job Seekers claim?

fingerbob7

I'm hoping to get advice on this one. I am just coming to the end of a short term contract and am elligible to sign on this week. However, if I do sign on and claim Job Seeker's allowance, it will be 24 weeks since my last claim, I will have to do a Rapid Reclaim. Before getting this job I was unemployed for 6 months. What I'm worried about is that if I claim RR I may be treated as still being unemployed for 6 months, and immediately subjected to awful employment training courses and other waste of time job seeking events arranged by the Job Centre for those who have been long term unemployed. If I starve for a few weeks until the 27th week, I can start a fresh claim and I'm guessing I'd be left to my own devices for the first few months to find work off my own accord.

Only problem is I've only been earning £200 a week for the past 24 weeks, and I don't know if I can afford to have nothing coming in for a few weeks while I wait to get to 27 weeks. But if a fresh claim means I don't get forced into horrible detention centres...

Any advice from those in the know would be much appreciated.

tameside

Even if you wait until 27 weeks you can be 'fast-tracked' onto Stage 3 at the advisor's discretion. Get signed on ASAP.

fingerbob7

I just wish it was a bit clearer. Does a fresh claim mean you're treated with some dignity for at least a few months before the humiliation begins? Anyone know for sure?

out_of_cash

fingerbob7,

i am totaly with you

Just wondering how many spaces the goverment are going to make for everyone on this new deal crap fnd thing! guess if they can get a load of people working for 65 quid a week they will keep this going for ever.

out_of_cash

Just done a rapid reclaim ,and no mention of the dreaded new deal how to write a cv course as yet.

NASA_2

Wasnt this exact thread started fairly recently by someone else?