Back to work help

scottreddy8888

Hello

I have been on benefits for quite a bit of time (esa) and now ready to go back to work and start next week. As I have not worked for a while I have no clothes for my new job and was wondering if there is any help out there? All my benefit goes on gas and electricity and food bills.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

KxMx

I can't help with grants and it's quite short notice but I have a few ideas.

Clothes can be had in charity shops and the supermarkets do a great range of basics.

While out at work you won't use as much electricity/gas plus it is slowly warming up. Maybe money you have allocated for this in the near future will not be needed and can be used instead for work clothes?

Likewise food, what have you got in the cupboards currently, how long will this last and when will you need to food shop again? Perhaps you won't need to food shop soon again so that money can be used for clothes. The Oldstyle moneysaving board here has some wonderful folks who can help you out with meal plans for what you already have.

Perhaps until you get paid you can be more frugal with food spend- so instead of say spending £30 next week budget half that and use the remainder for clothes. Again the oldstyle board can help there.

Have you got anything you can sell quickly such as dvds down Cash Converters, or good that might sell via free ads/gumtree/fb selling page?

Congratulations by the way on the job

cattermole

Great advice from KxMx Primark are great for basic clothes and very inexpensive and agree about the charity shops.

You can't go wrong with a couple of pairs of smart black trousers and a few smart tops, usually acceptable in most jobs. Then build up from there. Even if you have to wash the trousers overnight when you get home. So with 2 pairs and 5 tops/shirts fine to start off with. If you are male (wasn't sure?) 2 shirts in a pack are found new in a lot of shops at very low prices.

Good luck with your new job

Morglin

I thnk the grants that used to be payable, for 'back to work' clothes has stopped, so charity shops and cheap supermarkets is probably your only bet.

You could ask the JCP, though - just in case!

Lin

fc123

I am unsure whether you are male or female and where you are based so this info may be irrelevant but this charity Smartworks www.smartworks.org.uk




is really good for helping women with smart clothing for returning to work plus mentoring and CV help if required. They are sponsored by companies like Whistles (so the donated outfits are good stuff )
HTH

fed_up_and_stressed

cattermole wrote: »

Great advice from KxMx Primark are great for basic clothes and very inexpensive and agree about the charity shops.

Supermarkets can be just as cheap / cheaper than primarni and potentially last a lot longer so better value in the long run.

Check out https://www.turn2us.org.uk to see if you may be eligible for any grants.

Mersey_2

The automatic £100 Job Grant ceased in October 2013 in England & Wales. It still exists in Northern Ireland. I'm not sure of the position in Scotland.

Have you applied to the Flexible Support Fund?