New job after ESA for over a year

TAW

Hi

I'm helping somebody who has been on ESA in the support group for over 12 months because of a ill health. Her health has improved and she is going to start a full time job at the end of the month. She's very happy. Because she's been unemployed due to ill health for a long time now and on a low income I was looking into job grants etc. I've read that they were abolished in April this year and even something I didn't know about, the return to work credit, is not available from 1st October this year to new claimants. Are there are support benefits or grants that can be applied for in these circumstances e.g. to help with buying work clothes and paying for the first month's travel costs, as there used to be?

I'd really appreciate an update to pass on to my friend.

Many many thanks

DomRavioli

Quite simply, no.

only_mee

TAW wrote: »

Are there are support benefits or grants that can be applied for in these circumstances e.g. to help with buying work clothes and paying for the first month's travel costs, as there used to be?

I'm in the WRAG and if you need new clothes for the interview, they can help with the cost after you have bought them and shown the receipt

rogerblack

only_mee wrote: »

I'm in the WRAG and if you need new clothes for the interview, they can help with the cost after you have bought them and shown the receipt

I'm not sure under what provision this would be available.
Can you elaborate who told you this?

only_mee

The lady running the introduction meeting.

TAW

I don't see either where such help might now be provided by the DWP. I wanted to check though.

Thanks for your input

jacques_chirac

rogerblack wrote: »

I'm not sure under what provision this would be available.
Can you elaborate who told you this?

It would come under the advisors discretionary fund (or whatever they are calling it now!).