Due To Sign on

Stylehutz

I am due to sign on Next week as a Long term fixed contract role has come to an end. I am basically going to do it just to get NI contributions credited and not concerned about the £71.00 a week pittance you are entitled to get.


My understanding Is that they are now very tough on sanctioning you but I do not at the moment want to apply for any old carp they throw at me as at the moment I want to try and get a job to match my last salary.


Also I assume you will get a job centre agreement where you state the minimum salary which you will accept and distance prepared to travel and they cannot force you to apply for jobs for less money or travel outside those areas if you have got that on your agreement.


Also, I have heard it is compulsory to set up this new universal jobmatch account online and you have to state whether you want to give the JSA advisers access to it. Looking at previous threads the advice seems to be not to give them access as you are more likely to be sanctioned if they have access to your account.

HappyMJ

You have to accept travelling up to 90 minutes each way as long as the wage covers the cost of the travel ticket. i.e you could get a high speed express train from here to London in 90 minutes...you don't have to take that as the fare would exceed a days work at MW. You can ask for a better off calculation to prove that applying for a job they ask you to wouldn't be worth it.

The jobcentre won't treat you any differently if you are just signing for NI credits. You still need to look for work whether you get the £70 odd or not. NI credits themselves are quite valuable they aren't free. You could choose to pay them yourself if you wish. They cost £13.90 per week.

If you can show to them you are looking and applying for lots of work they will not give you jobs to apply for.

Be nice to them and treat them like your best buddy and they will reciprocate and be just as nice back to you. It really isn't the nasty place most people make it out to be. I have never ever had a problem with them.

busy_mom_2

When you claim JSA it does come with conditions, depends on how long you have been working but you MAY be able to set a permitted period for 13 weeks to say I want a job on x salary and provide proof that this salary is reasonable.
Yes to 90 mins by public transport
Yes to UJ account and uploading a C.V.
No you do not have to provide JCP with access to your account.

As HappyMJ has said not all staff are bad, just be normal, abide by your claimant commitment, do what you sign and agree to do each week and there is no reason for you to be sanctioned. Makes no difference if you give them access or not because they can request you log onto your account or emails to provide evidence of any jobsearch. Most sanctions occur because people cannot proive evidence they have actually applied for jobs in the correct manner.

Stylehutz

busy_mom wrote: »

When you claim JSA it does come with conditions, depends on how long you have been working but you MAY be able to set a permitted period for 13 weeks to say I want a job on x salary and provide proof that this salary is reasonable.
Yes to 90 mins by public transport
Yes to UJ account and uploading a C.V.
No you do not have to provide JCP with access to your account.

As HappyMJ has said not all staff are bad, just be normal, abide by your claimant commitment, do what you sign and agree to do each week and there is no reason for you to be sanctioned. Makes no difference if you give them access or not because they can request you log onto your account or emails to provide evidence of any jobsearch. Most sanctions occur because people cannot proive evidence they have actually applied for jobs in the correct manner.

Does the 90 minutes by public transport include the walk to the bus stop or train station and also the walk to the employers after you have reached the bus Stop and train station

theoretica

The Job Centre wants you off benefits as fast as possible so would prefer you to take any job and continue job hunting from that employment and leave when you find a job that truly suits you. You may find this is worthwhile to get them and their rules out of your life.

Stylehutz

It the rules are finding a job within 90 minutes travelling by public transport then They could force you to travel from London to Birmingham or vice versa. In that case the cost of travelling would be more than the job pays.


Also to treat the advisers as your best buddy seems a bit odd when they are looking to sanction you at every opportunity.

tomtontom

I don't know any advisors that actively look to sanction people. I'm sure they exist, but they are in a minority.

If you are not bothered about the "pittance" they pay you, then you can pay the NI Conts directly to HMRC, there is no need for you to sign on.

Stylehutz

tomtontom wrote: »

I don't know any advisors that actively look to sanction people. I'm sure they exist, but they are in a minority.

If you are not bothered about the "pittance" they pay you, then you can pay the NI Conts directly to HMRC, there is no need for you to sign on.

Hmmm, interesting choice to ponder on. I can get the NI contributions credited for free if I jump through all their hoops, or pay abut £150.00 voluntarily and not have to sign on.

jobbingmusician

Why not sign on and see what it's like? You might as well get the pittance, and the NI contributions, assuming you are job hunting anyway. Think of it as £71 + NI for the 45 mins it may take you to complete a job search record, plus the time taken to sign on. Not a bad hourly rate, and you can always sign off again if you can't stand it!

Stylehutz

Just an update on this. Signed on today and was told universal jobmatch is compulsory to sign up to and the JSA adviser wanted access to my account which I am not going to allow.


So then, I am now assuming I have to set up an account which they are never going to have access to and I will have to keep a written record of all my job search activity.


I don't see the point of being forced to set up the account in the first place if you are not going to give the advisers access to it.


Also, I had it clarified that the 90 minutes travelling time which they expect you to do in your jobsearch takes into account any walking to the train station and any walking from the station to your place of employment.

NewShadow

Stylehutz wrote: »

I don't see the point of being forced to set up the account in the first place if you are not going to give the advisers access to it.

During your meeting they can ask you to log in and show them your activity, so you do need to actually set it up.

They can also refer jobs for you to complete (which go in an inbox type bit) and check if you've done them.

Also, I had it clarified that the 90 minutes travelling time which they expect you to do in your jobsearch takes into account any walking to the train station and any walking from the station to your place of employment.

Expect this to be worked out using something like google maps, so the walking bit may be a bit hit and miss.

Honestly though, In my limited experience, its your attitude that will make the most difference to how you're treated.

Be friendly, willing and respectful, and you'll get friendly, helpful service.

Be arrogant and act like it's all beneath you...