New Enterprise Allowance

Bearman_2

Hello,
I have been on Job Seekers Allowance for just over a year since my last JSA interview,
6 weeks ago I asked if I could speak to a adviser about going on the New Enterprise Allowance, The adviser did not know anything, even through I showed the print out from the official website of the scheme and I was giving a appointment to speak to someone. However from my latest JSA interview with a more experienced adviser said because I was claiming for JSA for longer then a year I could not apply for it(on the website it said from 6 month of claiming JSA it had no mention of maximum time claiming) and that I would soon be referred to a organisation like A4e or Maximus and they have something similar.

anyone know anything about the New Enterprise Allowance? is there a time limit? I can never got a straight answer at the job centre to be honest!

thanks

ohreally

Depending on who you speak with, getting reliable information on NEA is like dispensing masonic secrets. Some individuals are plain ignorant while others, it would seem, may be somewhat deliberate in not promoting the take-up of the allowance.

Iirc, you need to be claiming JSA for more than 6 months and as you clearly meet this condition I would consider making an appointment with a manager to raise your concerns.

I've got some documentation lying around somewhere but its not to hand at the moment - if i find it i'll post back.

LadyMissA

If you are out of work 12 mths you will now go to the Work Programme and the Job Centre should have told you that the NEA was not available to you

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/employment/jobseekers/programmesandservices/dg_198864

Bearman_2

but if i am on the workplan will they provide something similar to the NEA?

LadyMissA

whats the Workplan?

Bearman_2

I meant Work Programme

LadyMissA

pobably not at all

philm27

Well, be warned, if you are from the north west, a company call blue orchid will be assigned to look after you, I use the term look after very loosely, 4 months, many appointments cancelled, consultant changed three times, only one 20 minute consultation in this period, just another company making money out of you!!

Bearman_2

thanks, but I live in the south east

LadyMissA

Bearman wrote: »

thanks, but I live in the south east

you should be able to find out online who your provider is

retrofunk1

If you haven't yet been referred to the Work Programme, you might be able to get onto NEA, but you will need to move quickly as once you have been referred you are no longer eligible.