Unemployment and part-time work

Beowulf1954

First a bit about me. I'm 58 years old, live on my own and lost my job 18 months ago. I'm receiving Jobseekers Allowance and for obvious reasons have had no luck finding another job. I haven't really considered part-time work as I had been hoping to get full time work but now I'm starting to think that part-time is all I may get. What I want to know is would working part-time be worth it? I have seen jobs advertised that are only 10 or 12 hours a week but I can't see the point in going for these if the Government are going to take the money I earn off my benefits. Basically I would be no better off myself but would be helping the Government out! I could understand it if I was younger and the part-time job may lead to a full time one but that isn't the case. Am I missing something here and should I be giving more consideration to part-time work?

Who?_me?

You are right about the part time and taking it off your benefits. If you go onto gov.uk or even on here and find a benefits checker, you can put a "what if" and it tellls you how your benefits could change if you get some part time work. However, depending on which Benefits decision agency you use, you could find your self going through periods of no money and then back payments depending how long they take to sort it out.

scooby088

Anything over 15 hours is classed as full time work, under 15 and classed as part time and will more than likely have to sign on for your stamp. For now a part time job would suit me down to the ground. If I were looking for a full time role I couldn't ask to reduce my hours, but with a part time job I could always increase my hours.

Takeaway_Addict

Beowulf1954 wrote: »

First a bit about me. I'm 58 years old, live on my own and lost my job 18 months ago. I'm receiving Jobseekers Allowance and for obvious reasons have had no luck finding another job. I haven't really considered part-time work as I had been hoping to get full time work but now I'm starting to think that part-time is all I may get. What I want to know is would working part-time be worth it? I have seen jobs advertised that are only 10 or 12 hours a week but I can't see the point in going for these if the Government are going to take the money I earn off my benefits. Basically I would be no better off myself but would be helping the Government out! I could understand it if I was younger and the part-time job may lead to a full time one but that isn't the case. Am I missing something here and should I be giving more consideration to part-time work?

Surely part time builds the confidence back up? And they do say its easier to get a job once in a job.

Also, surely its better to be earning the money than depending on benefits?

AP007

If I could get a 2 day a week job at £7 per hour for 14 hours then I'd take it, but have not been taken seriously for part time work as one company asked me why I wanted to work part time when for over 20 years I have always worked full time. Had to lie etc and it didnt work - didnt even get past the phone interview as he said he thought it would be a stop gap - of course it was, but I need a job.

ditzyat50

I took a part time job for 9.5 hours a week and was certainly no better off financially. The five pound dissallowance or whatever they call it covered my expenses. However I have been fortunate to have now been given some extra hours and have been able to completely sign off. Huge relief. At the end of the day, it's a miserable existence being on benefits with time on your hands but no money to do anything. I found it at least got me out of the house. So even though you may not be quids in, I would personally recommend going for the part time. Plus it's something on your CV.

AP007

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Surely part time builds the confidence back up? And they do say its easier to get a job once in a job.

Also, surely its better to be earning the money than depending on benefits?

and just as hard to get as a full time job

Beowulf1954

Some good points there however I'm really beginning to think it's just not worth the hassle. I'm 58 years old and have worked all my life so I don't think I need to take a part-time job to build my confidence up. For the same reason I'm not too worried about my CV. I mean at my age they should either accept me as I am or pass me by as I don't really have much time left to do anything. As for it being better to be earning the money than depending on benefits, I don't really agree. If you are young then yes, but at my age I think why should I be working to put money in the Government's pocket when I have plenty to do about the house.
If I could get a full time job I'd take it tomorrow but I really can't find a compelling reason to work 12 hours a week.

AP007

Beowulf1954 wrote: »

If I could get a full time job I'd take it tomorrow but I really can't find a compelling reason to work 12 hours a week.

If the job was £10 an hour that would be £120 compared to £71, no? I'd do it and I have 25 years work exp.

simson3325

im 55 and cant get a part time job over 15hours anywhere,

Takeaway_Addict

Beowulf1954 wrote: »

Some good points there however I'm really beginning to think it's just not worth the hassle. I'm 58 years old and have worked all my life so I don't think I need to take a part-time job to build my confidence up. For the same reason I'm not too worried about my CV. I mean at my age they should either accept me as I am or pass me by as I don't really have much time left to do anything. As for it being better to be earning the money than depending on benefits, I don't really agree. If you are young then yes, but at my age I think why should I be working to put money in the Government's pocket when I have plenty to do about the house.
If I could get a full time job I'd take it tomorrow but I really can't find a compelling reason to work 12 hours a week.

Because it gets you out the house? Benefits are meant to be there for when things are tough, not to create a way of life.

Just because you can get the money doesn't mean you should if you can live of your own means.