Claiming jobseeker's - unpaid internship

VanyaHargreeves

Hi,

I'm entirely new to this and have tried researching but can't find any info!

I am due to start an unpaid internship (indefinite amount of time) in the field I want to go into on Monday. It's in London and the commute will cost around 1k a month. I'm fortunate enough to have supportive parents who will let me live at theirs rent and bill free until I manage to sort myself out.

I was wondering if it is possible to claim Job Seeker's allowance whilst I'm doing this internship? It will burn a big hole in my pocket but is really a great opportunity, one that I can't pass up.

Technically I will be employed, I think, but as it's unpaid I don't know if that makes a difference.

A big motivation for me to claim jobseekers is also that I want to complete a qualification that's essential before I can qualify in my field, and I want to take out a professional development loan to do it. However, for me to be able to borrow 100% of my course fee, I have to have claimed jobseeker's allowance! Otherwise I can only claim 80% of my fee, which would mean that I could not afford to do the qualification as I can't pay for the remaining 20%.

I want to book an appointment at the Job Centre but I don't want to waste their time if I'm told now that there's no way I can claim. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

sangie595

VanyaHargreeves wrote: »

Hi,

I'm entirely new to this and have tried researching but can't find any info!

I am due to start an unpaid internship (indefinite amount of time) in the field I want to go into on Monday. It's in London and the commute will cost around 1k a month. I'm fortunate enough to have supportive parents who will let me live at theirs rent and bill free until I manage to sort myself out.

I was wondering if it is possible to claim Job Seeker's allowance whilst I'm doing this internship? It will burn a big hole in my pocket but is really a great opportunity, one that I can't pass up.

Technically I will be employed, I think, but as it's unpaid I don't know if that makes a difference.

A big motivation for me to claim jobseekers is also that I want to complete a qualification that's essential before I can qualify in my field, and I want to take out a professional development loan to do it. However, for me to be able to borrow 100% of my course fee, I have to have claimed jobseeker's allowance! Otherwise I can only claim 80% of my fee, which would mean that I could not afford to do the qualification as I can't pay for the remaining 20%.

I want to book an appointment at the Job Centre but I don't want to waste their time if I'm told now that there's no way I can claim. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The clue is in the name. Job Seekers Allowance.

[Deleted User]

You will not be available to start work immediately if you are in London at your placement and as the poster above points out how will you be job seeking aka 'actively seeking work' with the required evidence of such when you sign on if you are at a full time placement.

VanyaHargreeves

Fair enough. I thought that would be the case. It's a bit frustrating that I could potentially stay at home doing nothing all day except filling in one or two applications and be able to claim, but because I'm essentially paying to work I won't be able to get any support. Oh well. Thanks for your replies.

pmlindyloo

You might want to read this

https://www.gov.uk/employment-rights-for-interns

Topcat1982

Did they not offer travel expenses?!

Mersey_2

"indefinite amount of time" is the problem.


A one week placement would probably be allowed if you provided the details in advance, but as others have said technically you're meant to be physically available (the exceptions being a holiday and up to 2 x 7 day periods of sickness per year).