Back to work/Clothing/Anything grant? Am i applicable?

Powerfrog

Hi i just got my first ever job at the DWP and i start on monday (2nd july)

The problem is that it's in an office and i don't have many smart clothes, i have a few sleeveless handmedown shirts, repurposed school pants, cheap black shoes and no smart jacket, but I'd really like to make a good first impression/not feel like a tit...

I don't think I'm even going to have enough pocket money to survive the first month never mind buy new clothing, so any type of grant (or even loan if only option) is vital.

If the grant takes a few weeks to pay that's fine, i could go get something now and take a small friendly loan from family, knowing that I'll be good for it whenever it does come. Or any interest free loan such as a crisis loan if there are no grants.

(I didn't use the grant sticky because it seems quite outdated and dead, apologies if this is not kosher, I'm a newbie.)

heartbreak_star

The best way to make a good first impression will be to wear what smart stuff you have and be polite, smiling, friendly, and willing to get stuck in.

Don't start your working life with debt.

Good luck

HBS x

PollyOnAMission

If you are really stuck for things to wear (i.e. not enough shirts to get you through from one wash to the next in a week), can you try charity shops? I'm sure you could find some smart shirts etc, maybe even a jacket and shoes, to go with your black trousers. However I'd agree that how you look really isn't the main thing about making a good impression; I'm sure you'd look well-presented in your black shoes and trousers and sleeveless shirt.

Good luck

Powerfrog

With all due respect I'm just interested in knowing what grants i could be eligible for, i know it's not the end of the world and know that being polite and hardworking is more important than physical appearance. (With that said, you haven't seen what I've got to work with )

But theres no reason not to claim £100's worth of grants i could be eligible for. This is the moneysaving forum right?

I do appreciate the shopping advice though, I've just been browsing sales online and haven't found any great bargains yet, will check the charity shops next time I'm in town.

PollyOnAMission

Fair enough, hope you get some info regarding grants.
Good luck starting your new job

LadyMissA

Powerfrog wrote: »

Hi i just got my first ever job at the DWP and i start on monday (2nd july)

The problem is that it's in an office and i don't have many smart clothes, i have a few sleeveless handmedown shirts, repurposed school pants, cheap black shoes and no smart jacket, but I'd really like to make a good first impression/not feel like a tit...

I don't think I'm even going to have enough pocket money to survive the first month never mind buy new clothing, so any type of grant (or even loan if only option) is vital.

If the grant takes a few weeks to pay that's fine, i could go get something now and take a small friendly loan from family, knowing that I'll be good for it whenever it does come. Or any interest free loan such as a crisis loan if there are no grants.

(I didn't use the grant sticky because it seems quite outdated and dead, apologies if this is not kosher, I'm a newbie.)

Have you come from education to the job or have you been on benefits?

heartbreak_star

Powerfrog wrote: »

But theres no reason not to claim £100's worth of grants i could be eligible for. This is the moneysaving forum right?

Moneysaving forum, not moneygrabbing forum. If you have a set of presentable stuff AND a job, let this go to someone who hasn't even got a suit for interviews and splurge on your payday.

Give it a little while paying taxes and you'll understand why my blood just boiled a bit.

HBS x

Powerfrog

LadyMissA wrote: »

Have you come from education to the job or have you been on benefits?

I was on jobseekers for about 7 months.

Don't blame me for trying to get the most out of my situation, blame the government for presenting the situation.

I don't have a suit, by the way, i have very casual handmedown sleeveless shirts that would probably raise a few eyebrows in the office, i also have very little money for the essentials until the first paycheck, i "deserve" it more than most i assume. (Also note I'm interested in loans if grants aren't available, i have nothing against paying for it myself but I'm not one to needlessly throw away £100s)

LadyMissA

Powerfrog wrote: »

I was on jobseekers for about 7 months.

Don't blame me for trying to get the most out of my situation, blame the government for presenting the situation.

I don't have a suit, by the way, i have very casual handmedown sleeveless shirts that would probably raise a few eyebrows in the office, i also have very little money for the essentials until the first paycheck, i "deserve" it more than most i assume. (Also note I'm interested in loans if grants aren't available, i have nothing against paying for it myself but I'm not one to needlessly throw away £100s)

What on earth did you wear at the interview? You can not blame the Gov for having no work clothes, sorry.


IF you have been signing for 6 mths or more you get a back to work grant of £100 (different rates apply for your age and cicumstances I think)

Or you could apply to the social fund , no idea how long that takes and how much you would get.

Powerfrog

LadyMissA wrote: »

What on earth did you wear at the interview? You can not blame the Gov for having no work clothes, sorry.


IF you have been signing for 6 mths or more you get a back to work grant of £100 (different rates apply for your age and cicumstances I think)

Or you could apply to the social fund , no idea how long that takes and how much you would get.

I wore the best of the shirts, it's mostly plain and i gave it a good ironing, thankfully it was a "casual interview".

I think you misinterpreted what i said about the gvt (It wasn't directed at you by the way) I just said that if the grants exist and I'm eligible then I'm going to go for them, if that doesn't sit right with users then blame the government for making them available to me, and not me for sensibly going for them. I'm not trying to do anything illegal, and given my situation, even immoral, IMHO. My situation is why these grants exist, is it not?

The back to work £100 will be useful, although i could do with a little more seeing as I'll have no income for a month and have to pay for travel, food, and hopefully one or two cheap shirts + pants + jacket.

I'll probably end up taking a loan, which is fine, but i was sure there were clothing grants for this exact kinda thing. Thanks for all the help.

mrcow

If you can get a friendly loan from family and you 100% need a suit, ASDA sell one for £29.

You can buy new shirts at 2 for £8. One on, one in the wash.

Do you actually need a suit? Or will a shirt and tie suffice?