Jobcentre discretion/flexible fund?

Hutch100uk

My partner received some work clothes via the jobcentre a few years back. This was part of what they called a 'Discretionary fund'.

He is out of work again at the moment but has chance to attend an interview and tour of a factory next week but is required to wear work boots (which he doesn't have).

he enquired at dole office today about this discretionary fund and they just bluntly refused!

He has since done a bit of digging online and apparently the government DOES supply something called a 'flexible fund' which is for things like this which you can apply for.

Anyone heard of this? Know how it works etc?

jacques_chirac

There is a fund, but it is far more limited than it used to be. How much are the boots? Have you checked ebay, Gumtree etc? They might provide them if he had a job offer, but are unlikely to provide something so specific just for an interview.

Hutch100uk

jacques_chirac wrote: »

There is a fund, but it is far more limited than it used to be. How much are the boots? Have you checked ebay, Gumtree etc? They might provide them if he had a job offer, but are unlikely to provide something so specific just for an interview.

He's been back on to them and apparently the rules are that they DO NOT pay for work boots. As for other items, its at their discretion.... he was offered a £5 polo t-shirt!!

You would think the cost of work boots/clothes would save them jobseekers allowance in the long run!!!!

Lieja

It's called a flexible support fund and is discretionary, to 'remove barriers'.

They'll say no to anything they can get away with, so I'd imagine that work boots for one visit wouldn't cut it. Has your partner asked the employer if he can borrow a pair for the visit? Surely they don't expect him to buy a pair on the off chance he gets the job?

busy_mom_2

JCP advisers do not make the rules re the fund. The issue with issues things for safety equipment is that an employer by law should provide it.

The rules are no to anything for an interview i'm afraid. He needs to ask if any can be provided and then hopefully when he gets the job if the employer refuses he needs to put the job offer and the refusal in writing and then JCP MAY be able to help.

DCFC79

Does he not know anyone who he could borrow a pair off, not sure what else he could do apart from ask the employer about borrowing a pair for the visit.

agrinnall

Whenever I've visited a site that requires specific items of clothing to be worn they have spare sets available, I'd suggest he calls the employer to ask if he can borrow a pair of boots when he gets there.

supertomsk

JCP will not pay for safety boots as the employer is supposed to supply. They will however supply ordinary shoes if you have nothing suitable for work. My JCP will supply clothing for interview.

Hutch100uk

Thanks for the replies folks. I guess he assumed it was the same as before. We can get him boots, its not a problem - we just felt that if the jobcentre have funds for this type of thing, why not ask.

ArtoDeeto

Hutch100uk wrote: »

My partner received some work clothes via the jobcentre a few years back. This was part of what they called a 'Discretionary fund'.
He is out of work again at the moment but has chance to attend an interview and tour of a factory next week but is required to wear work boots (which he doesn't have).
he enquired at dole office today about this discretionary fund and they just bluntly refused!

So he has to wear special boots for an interview and the employer won't give him one of their loads of spare boots they must have in stock for visitors? Sounds like a fake job to me.

Hutch100uk wrote: »

He's been back on to them and apparently the rules are that they DO NOT pay for work boots. As for other items, its at their discretion.... he was offered a £5 polo t-shirt!!
You would think the cost of work boots/clothes would save them jobseekers allowance in the long run!!!!

Yes they WILL pay for work boots for a job BUT not for an interview :-)

Lieja wrote: »

They'll say no to anything they can get away with

What a total load of rubbish. So the Jobcentre will say no to anything that could get you into a job??? Is that a conspiracy theory or do you think the Jobcentre wants to blow their budget so fast thar the government decides to farm all their jobs out to private profiteering companies?

supertomsk wrote: »

JCP will not pay for safety boots as the employer is supposed to supply. They will however supply ordinary shoes if you have nothing suitable for work. My JCP will supply clothing for interview.

Well can't argue with that as it is true. Apart from "is LEGALLY obliged to supply". As supposed to "supposed".

Lieja

ArtoDeeto wrote: »

What a total load of rubbish. So the Jobcentre will say no to anything that could get you into a job???

In my experience, it is extremely difficult to get JCP to pay for anything without a fight. No conspiracy theories, just based on my own personal experience and that of my colleagues.