Additional Help from Job Centre Before New Job

ianianian_2

Evening,

I've just got a new job after three months unemployed.

I have to go in to sign off from the job centre and was told at the job centre that I could be entitled to additional help - does anyone know what this means?

I've been receiving the minimal JSA and using my savings up to pay the bills. I'll be happy for any additional finances as I won't get paid for a month, need to move house for this new job and need to buy new suits etc.

I'm not expecting much, but it would be nice to know the specifics of the meeting before hand!

Any ideas?

Thanks

Edinburgh65

Congratulations!

Don't think you'll have been out of work long enough to qualify for a back to work grant, but the Jobcentre might give you a small clothing allowance (I heard someone at the bus stop this evening saying that she had just been given a clothing voucher for some shoes and a pair of trousers). I'm not sure what would qualify you for a clothing allowance, but I was offered it when I was unemployed the very first time I signed on, in case I needed an interview outfit (I declined the offer).

Good luck!

ianianian_2

Thanks
I wasn't expecting them to buy me a new house, but it's good to know what type of thing we will be talking about!

oldmotherreilly

You will need to ask about the Advisor Discretionary Fund, which advisors can draw on to help customers overcome small barriers into employment. One thing they may take into account is that you have been out of work for a relatively short amount of time-if the sort of work that you were doing before required smart attire, they may well expect you to still be able to wear this clothing for your new job. However, there's no harm in asking! Your JCP may also have arrangements with local train services where you can obtain discounted travel for a certain amount of time, or sometimes they will consider helping out with the first few days travel expenses.
Good luck with the new job.

ianianian_2

That was it - Advisor Discretionary Fund - they mentioned that to me.

Thanks for the advice!

naughtyjo

The adviser discretionary fund is practically none existant anymore under our new government.
It will depend where you live but as an adviser I have been told the monies have run out and theres nothing for anyone.
The initial thing was everybody had up to £300 to help them get back into work
However if you have already started work you cant access the adf fund. Any awards have to be made prior to you starting work
Well Done on finding a job and all the best with it

ianianian_2

Just a quick conclusion to my own post in case anyone searches the topic in the future…

I went to the job centre, was signed off and then asked about the possibility of additional help. At first I had to watch a couple of minutes of the assistant pretending she’d never heard of additional help “oh gosh, I’m racking my mind to try and help you, but just don’t know what you’re talking about”. I then reminded her that I’d been booked in by a colleague specifically to talk about possible help and then mentioned the Advisor Discretionary Fund. The act was suddenly dropped, I was told that I may be able to get “a tie from Matalan” on the Advisor Discretionary Fund and was then told I wasn’t entitled to anything else because my girlfriend works and I’d been unemployed for less than 6 months.

It was a little bit frustrating as I’d prefer to be told straight as opposed to dealing with someone attempting to avoid the issue. Plus, whilst I hate to join in with the “I pay my tax” clich!, it is a bit annoying when you don’t even get enough to cover the rent when you need help the most.

Oh well, got to be happy with having a job now!

oldmotherreilly

Hmm, ADF is available to anyone from day one-it has not been six months for a long, long time. Sorry, didn't know you had an other half who worked or I would have forewarned you they might say this.
Anyway, here's hoping you may never have need of asking for ADF, JSA or anything related to this again! Wishing you the best of luck in your new job once again. OMR.