Help, advice needed.

bobmouse

Hi to all, long time lurker and all that.

Really would like some advice, I've yet to go to the cab office but thought why not just see on here as you all seem like a decent bunch.

A little bit about my story, I have been unemployed for about 20 months six of which I claimed JSA but because of my wifes earnings I have received nothing for the last 14 months. I have been suffering with depression for around three years which has effected my ability to function at times let alone work. All the while I've had to pay for my own therapy and medication and make sacrifices and live a very basic lifestyle in order to get by.

I am now feeling much improved and am looking for part time work but I would really love to retrain and do something worthwhile. So I suppose the question is am entitled to anything in the way of training or classes? or even dare I say some form of support from the goverment?

Thanks

Samsaragirl

yeah would be great, but we all have to take personal responsibility.

My greatest fear is, when my parents are gone then what?

I was pushed-mgrammar school, but nway ubi when it was free in 1983.

Hindsight is great, but now is theonly moment we have :-)

princessdon

Depends on your circumstances

Are you receiving WTC, Council Tax or Housing Benefit?

bobmouse

Nothing not a bean. I have taken ownership of the problem and have slowly sorted it out with the help of loved ones I am lucky, if I had relied on the state 100% for any kind of help regarding my recovery I would probably be in a worse state..I dread to think.

Samsaragirl

princessdon wrote: »

Depends on your circumstances

Are you receiving WTC, Council Tax or Housing Benefit?

Gosh, my fault, am a home owner, divorced after 25 yrs, got the house, so mortgage. Left looking after parents.

Receiving at moment CA 58 odd a week, IS 40 odd a week, paid fortnightly.

Samsaragirl

Also Smi and council tax benefit

princess*daisy

Have you had a look on the National Careers Service website? https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/courses/Pages/default.aspx

Also, I think Connexions can get funding for adult courses in some areas.

Good luck

princessdon

Samsaragirl wrote: »

Also Smi and council tax benefit

Council tax benefit is a right to free training courses in FE - so you can enrol if you want to

BigAunty

bobmouse wrote: »

...

I am now feeling much improved and am looking for part time work but I would really love to retrain and do something worthwhile. So I suppose the question is am entitled to anything in the way of training or classes? or even dare I say some form of support from the goverment?

..

What kind of training or course do you desire to do? And what level is this - FE, HE, a specific vocational course?

I can't say that the govt inc the job centre have a good reputation for providing training/classes for the long-term unemployed or those coming off sickness benefits, either.

Basically the govt/job centre want someone to take a job, any job, and largely expect the individual to take responsibility for their own education and training, preferably in their spare time and at their own cost.

You seem to be looking for some kind of free training courses provided by the govt, perhaps benefit entitlements while being a student where as I think you've probably got to look more to applying to colleges/Uni/training courses yourself and finding funding through the usual student channels (and if you aren't eligible for free courses or student grants/loans, then you have to consider something like a career development loan which puts the risk back on you that you make the right investment).

See the Direct Gov website for info on student finance.

Contact your local colleges to understand what courses they offer and if you would be eligible for any grants/bursaries/loans and so forth. They may have a benefit/student finance support department who can answer your specific queries.

Also, many full time college courses only require 2.5 days attendance, leaving the student on many courses with the ability to work anything from 16 to 35 hours per week.

Dunroamin

What level of qualifications do you have and what are you thinking of doing?

Samsaragirl

Dunroamin wrote: »

What level of qualifications do you have and what are you thinking of doing?

Were you asking me?

10 olevels at Queen Mary Lytham in 1981

$ a levels, Chem Biol, Physics, in 1983

Then I married the guy who sorts the banks oput, after the many weeks he spent training :-[) He in IOM sorting Lloyds TS out nat trhis moment.

The guys whom wereon her when NAt West crumbled- that wasd his team, hw laughed, not his time. Still is, weird how people are. I struggle on benefits, in the knowledge theat it will come right.

Hey . I just want piositivity nowadays