Jobseekers and unpaid internships

miduck

Dunroamin wrote: »

The OP hasn't been sent there by the JCP, she's doing it independently - that's why she's not eligible for JSA.

That's how I am reading it also. OP, can you clarify, has this been formally arranged by the JCP, is there an agreement in place between the "employer" and the JCP?

kizzie_nikita

Dunroamin wrote: »

The OP hasn't been sent there by the JCP, she's doing it independently - that's why she's not eligible for JSA.

miduck wrote: »

That's how I am reading it also. OP, can you clarify, has this been formally arranged by the JCP, is there an agreement in place between the "employer" and the JCP?

Apologise if i am wrong, i just saw 'recommended to me by the job centre'. Because i saw that i've never known/heard of the job centre recommended a work placement etc without them signing you up to it, and thus you keeping your money.

If they haven't signed her up to it, simple i know they do such things and i'd talk to them about putting her across to it, so she can keep her JC money, and the internship.

sare88

Sorry to clarify, the company I got the internship through was on a list of internship companies that was given to me by the Jobcentre. The company, Inspiring Interns has worked with the goverment to offer all 16-24 year olds on their internships access to benefits. However, the Jobcentre don't seem to know anything about this and cut my benefits the day I started.

cmw1212

Inspiring Interns the firm that charges companies £500 a month when the interns are only paid expenses?
Seems a bit off.

miduck

kizzie_nikita wrote: »

Apologise if i am wrong, i just saw 'recommended to me by the job centre'. Because i saw that i've never known/heard of the job centre recommended a work placement etc without them signing you up to it, and thus you keeping your money.

If they haven't signed her up to it, simple i know they do such things and i'd talk to them about putting her across to it, so she can keep her JC money, and the internship.

The JCP accept job/ internship advertisements that will not be suitable for every applicant, for instance some may leave the claimant worse off, may be commission only (and potentially contrary to NMW legislation). Equally there will be people who are signing on for credits only, in which case they would not lose anything by taking an internship. "Recommended by the JCP" does not mean it will not affect their benefit entitlement.

OP, on the information you have given I believe the JCP would take the view that you are in unpaid work (as opposed to voluntary/ charitable work), and hence will not be eligible for JSA.