What happens when you've been claiming JSA for a year?

Elvisia

I have been on income-based JSA for a year, and tomorrow I have to go for a meeting to discuss what happens next. I have asked several people in the Job Centre what is likely to happen, but I've managed to get completely different responses, from "nothing, keep signing on as usual" to "you have to go to a special centre full time, every day, and apply for jobs" to "you have to go and work for free at a place of the JC's choosing". Has anyone had any actual experience of what happens? I am considering coming off benefits and just surviving on the rest of my (now small) savings. I don't want to be a benefit scrounger, I have spent the last year feeling guilty being on benefits but I am over qualified to get a minimum wage job (I've applied for hundreds and had one interview that lasted two minutes before they said there was no point me being there as I'd be bored in the job), and I've got down to the last two at interview for many higher level jobs but just missed out. I was a university professor and I am now handing out leaflets to try to get private tuition, and I wonder if for my sanity I should come off benefits, particularly if I am going to have to spend everyday in a centre applying for hopeless jobs, I'd rather do it at home! I was told that at this centre they can help me with writing, but since I was a professor of English it seems a bit pointless.

nocareer

You'll probably get referred to the Mandatory Work Programme. Whereby you have to complete a 4 week work placement in a charity shop. If you fail to participate, you'll recieve a 5-day sanction, one week's worth of JSA won't be paid; if it is your first sanction. Your claim will still remain active so keep signing on as usual. And you can appeal the sanction by writing to the benefits office.

If a second sanction is imposed, your JSA will be suspended for 13 weeks. If a 3rd sanction is imposed within a year of the first sanction being imposed, you JSA will be suspended for 26 weeks.

Should you find yourself sanctioned like this you can claim a Hardship Loan for the period of the sanction.

copa_feela

No one is over qualified for minimum wage work, you just need to tailor your application according to the role.

HappyMJ

copa_feela wrote: »

No one is over qualified for minimum wage work, you just need to tailor your application according to the role.

I spend most of my time tailoring my applications for the positions I am qualified for. I have also applied for minimum wage work as the OP has done and got interviews that only last for just a few minutes. They can quickly tell that I have given them the tailored CV for minimum wage work. They reject my application as they are looking for someone who is willing to stay long term and not use the job as a filler. They then give the job to someone else.

Elvisia

It's impossible to tailor my CV to jobs purely because I have worked at a high level in many well known organisations, and unless I actually lie about my job title as soon as they read the CV it's obvious I would be the sort of candidate who wouldn't be happy in a job where I am just filing and answering phones. None of the jobs I've applied for just had an application form where I could have been a bit more creative. I have been told quite frequently they are looking for a mum who can come in for five hours in the middle of the day to earn a few extra pennies, rather than someone who's a career woman.

Anyway I went to the JC and said I wanted to sign off as I didn't want to be a 'benefits scrounger' which is how I feel, and the woman was very surprised and said I should give the Work Programme a go. She started renewing all the forms so I could continue to sign on so I repeated again I felt humiliated being on benefits and I'd rather cope on no money (I have very nearly spent my savings while I've been on benefits) and she lowered her voice and became super nice, and said to try the programme, as she thought they might actually be able to help me even though I would be more qualified than the other people there. She said looking at my case I would possibly only have to go once a fortnight and from the amount of interviews I get for jobs I am suitable for it wouldn't be long before I was back in work. Anyway I repeated a third time I wanted to sign off and she said if I really felt that way to send my form back to the JC, gave me my new forms and sent me on my way!

And I thought they were trying to get people off benefits?! Apparently at the Work Programme they can teach you about starting your own company which is another avenue I am very actively looking at, I signed on six months ago at the JC for an enterprise scheme and I am still on a list somewhere. So I am getting off my bottom and doing it myself.

copa_feela

HappyMJ wrote: »

I spend most of my time tailoring my applications for the positions I am qualified for. I have also applied for minimum wage work as the OP has done and got interviews that only last for just a few minutes. They can quickly tell that I have given them the tailored CV for minimum wage work. They reject my application as they are looking for someone who is willing to stay long term and not use the job as a filler. They then give the job to someone else.

I agree it creates a barrier to be overcome, but plenty of people do so.

Elvisia

I have applied for countless minimum wage jobs, and all of them that gave me feedback replied it was because they didn't think I would want to stay there for the long term, and they want someone who can commit for at least two years +. Even if I say yes I would work there for that length of time it's pretty obvious that's not my plan. I'm sure other people have other experiences, and I can only speak from my personal experiences.