Travel to interview (JSA)

Gemma3108

Hi, I am on JSA (IB), joint claim with my wife, we have a son.

I have an interview lined up, it was meant to be in Manchester town centre, which is a half hour train ride from me (which would cost me £4 to get to, so I wouldn't of minded paying that out of my own pocket), however, I've just had a call from the lady that is doing my interview, and she can't get down and has asked if I can get to Birmingham New Street next Tuesday for 12pm. I just looked and it costs £43.50 for return. If I got the job it is based in Manchester.

Does anyone know whether the job centre would pay this?! Obviously I can't afford to pay out the £43.50. I have called the jobs centre and have been told they can take up to 3 hours to get back to me (this was at 3, so I may have to wait until tomorrow morning), but was wondering if anyone knew? Last time I asked about it they said they wouldn't pay if it was within 1 1/2 hours of my home. Well. It isn't. It's almost 2 1/2 hours.

The things we do to get a job eh?!

jobbingmusician

IF you don't hear back from the Jobcentre, I would personally explain to the interviewer what your difficulty is. Make it very clear that you will meet her anywhere, at any time, but you can't afford £43.50 out of your weekly JSA, and ask if the company refunds interview costs. I'm sure you'll be saving far more than £43.50 worth of her/the company's time by going to Brum.

PS Have you checked coach fares?

McKneff

Like JM says above, check out National Expresss Coaches for fares,


And follow the good advice about asking for help too.

Gemma3108

Thank you both for the replies. I have an appointment at the Job Centre on Friday to discuss the help I can get. Which gives me tomorrow to sort out a place to meet the lady, and to get her to send me an email.

Obviously if they say no, I will have to cancel the interview, which would be a shame as it's something I would really enjoy doing (after 4 years of searching for a job). And as I say the actual job is based near me so travel won't be an issue after the interview

xx

Savvy_Sue

Actually I'd start with the company who want you to go to Birmingham instead of Manchester and see if they will refund your travel expenses on the day, rather than haggling with the job centre. You can move onto the job centre if necessary.

mattcanary

I thought the Jobcentre had to pay your cost of interview, providing:

you can provide proof of the interview date & time, together with the details of the ticket you obtained. Plus a copy of your bank statement (can be the print out you obtain from the cashpoint machine).

You do have to choose the cheapest form of transport that allows you to get to the interview, though.

poorlittlefish

When I did it I had to provide the proof, as mattcanary said, including a phone number so they could ring and check that I did actually attend. They didn't pay me in advance, only on presentation of my receipts. For me it was a heck of a lot easier to drive than go on the train and I was told that they'd only pay me what it would have cost for the train, but it was a lot better than nothing.

fruitedeli

mattcanary wrote: »

I thought the Jobcentre had to pay your cost of interview, providing:

you can provide proof of the interview date & time, together with the details of the ticket you obtained. Plus a copy of your bank statement (can be the print out you obtain from the cashpoint machine).

You do have to choose the cheapest form of transport that allows you to get to the interview, though.

They don't have to pay for your travelling expenses for job interviews. It's discretionary funding.

You also wouldn't be showing tickets you bought. You'd have to show bank statement, proof of interview, and they'd check for cheapest means of transport and issue you a coupon to exchange for the fare tickets be it bus or train. This is how they ensure you really are using the cheapest method available.

OP can ask for help but should never demand for help as if it's an entitlement. The job centre can refuse to help if they think you're unlikely to secure this job, they're low in budget, or for whatever other reason.

Gemma3108

I spoke to the job centre, and they said if I wasn't in a work programme, then they would help. But I have to go to my work programme provide for help. The woman I'm supposed to be getting interviewed by still hasn't called me so I need to get in contact with her today, and then call my work programme and speak to my advisor.

I know the job centre don't HAVE to help me. And I'm not demanding it I was just wondering if they could so thought I would ask.

Thank you all for you replies x

mattcanary

fruitedeli wrote: »

They don't have to pay for your travelling expenses for job interviews. It's discretionary funding.

You also wouldn't be showing tickets you bought. You'd have to show bank statement, proof of interview, and they'd check for cheapest means of transport and issue you a coupon to exchange for the fare tickets be it bus or train. This is how they ensure you really are using the cheapest method available.

OP can ask for help but should never demand for help as if it's an entitlement. The job centre can refuse to help if they think you're unlikely to secure this job, they're low in budget, or for whatever other reason.

My Jobcentre only seem to pay you after the interview, not before.
I asked for a coupon as I thought that was how it worked initially too. However, you pay upfront and then show them the proofs I have mentioned in. (they also give you one of their forms to complete which outlines the details of the interview).

mattcanary

poorlittlefish wrote: »

When I did it I had to provide the proof, as mattcanary said, including a phone number so they could ring and check that I did actually attend. They didn't pay me in advance, only on presentation of my receipts. For me it was a heck of a lot easier to drive than go on the train and I was told that they'd only pay me what it would have cost for the train, but it was a lot better than nothing.

I didn't have to provide the company's phone number.

I think your Jobcentre were trying to put you off from claiming expenses.
Would they really have phoned the company? I'm thinking the company could quite easily have refused to provide the information anyway, citing data protection laws