JSA and part time work

missi76

Hi all

I have been on Job Seekers now for about 5 months and looking to get back into full time work asap. I receive support for mortgage interest payments to the value of £192 per month to the mortgage company.

At my recent JSA appointment the advisor pointed out some retail jobs to me to apply for which were part time (average 16 hours week).

I applied for them because I thought it would be a good opportunity to get back into work even if for the short term but my concern is that once I start a 16 hour job I will lose the mortgage interest benefit as you have to be claiming JSA, IS, ESA etc to qualify.

This will mean a loss of about £60 per month if I was to start work part time as to what I receive now and if the hours dropped that would be worse.

It's not about me not wanting to work as I do, desperately. (bored to tears at home and job searching all day every day), I am just worried about the financial side.

Can anyone offer any suggestions, advice, anyone in the same boat?

Thanks

theone999

missi76 wrote: »

Hi all

I have been on Job Seekers now for about 5 months and looking to get back into full time work asap. I receive support for mortgage interest payments to the value of £192 per month to the mortgage company.

At my recent JSA appointment the advisor pointed out some retail jobs to me to apply for which were part time (average 16 hours week).

I applied for them because I thought it would be a good opportunity to get back into work even if for the short term but my concern is that once I start a 16 hour job I will lose the mortgage interest benefit as you have to be claiming JSA, IS, ESA etc to qualify.

This will mean a loss of about £60 per month if I was to start work part time as to what I receive now and if the hours dropped that would be worse.

It's not about me not wanting to work as I do, desperately. (bored to tears at home and job searching all day every day), I am just worried about the financial side.

Can anyone offer any suggestions, advice, anyone in the same boat?

Thanks

Apply, but make sure you don't get the job.

Like that scene with Spud in Trainspotters. Classic film.

There's no point going from JSA to precarious wage slave to back on JSA again unless you really, really have no talent, qualifications or other options. Stay on JSA until you find something decent.

Not that I'm recommending this guy to stay on JSA forever mind, it's a !!!! option and not a viable one after 6 months to a year cos they'll find an excuse to boot you off it (sanctions / forced labour). Going from JSA to minimum wage and hours is the worst that you could do, unless of course, it's the best that you could do.

Flyonthewall

It's easier to find another job when you're working. Plus it's experience and they may well offer you more hours (especially around Christmas).

If you're working on average less than 16 hours a week you can claim JSA. You obviously wouldn't get what you are now from JSA, but being on it would allow for you get support on the mortgage payments.

At 5 months you are probably very close to being put on a Work Programme for 2 years. For most, this is something you want to avoid. Staying on JSA only gets worse.

The Job Centre are also big on forcing "volunteering". You could find yourself doing 16 hours or more working and not getting paid.

There's no guarantee you'll get one of the jobs you have applied for. However, I'd suggest doing your best at any interviews and if you do get the job think very carefully before deciding.

Is there any way to cut back on spending so the £60 isn't so bad? Would you be able to walk to work rather than going in the car, for example? Can you cut down your mobile phone bill? Cancel a subscription to something?

Retail jobs often come with staff discounts. That could help you save money, especially if you work in a supermarket.

You need to consider all sides to this.

missi76

Thanks both for your input, it's good to hear other peoples opinions as usually it's the forgotten things that matter.

Luckily my son works in a supermarket part time and I get the same staff discount as he does so there's a saving I already receive.

Also, I think it's about 2 months I have been on JSA now, (sorry, my bad) I started claiming ESA 5 months ago but decided to change to JSA 2 months ago so I could look for work.
I may consider the voluntary option to gain some current experience as not done retail for a while and may help me into paid employment and the job centre said it can be from 2 to 8 weeks only so if the employer wanted to keep me on, then they would have to after the work experience ends.

Flyonthewall

missi76 wrote: »

Thanks both for your input, it's good to hear other peoples opinions as usually it's the forgotten things that matter.

Luckily my son works in a supermarket part time and I get the same staff discount as he does so there's a saving I already receive.

Also, I think it's about 2 months I have been on JSA now, (sorry, my bad) I started claiming ESA 5 months ago but decided to change to JSA 2 months ago so I could look for work.
I may consider the voluntary option to gain some current experience as not done retail for a while and may help me into paid employment and the job centre said it can be from 2 to 8 weeks only so if the employer wanted to keep me on, then they would have to after the work experience ends.

You can work on ESA. I believe you can actually do more hours and remain on ESA than with JSA.

Volunteering is a good option. Are you considering a volunteer option from the Job Centre? If so, you can find you own opportunities and volunteer for as long as you wish, you have far more options and you don't have to work 25+ hours a week for free.

This site is good for finding volunteering positions: https://do-it.org/opportunities/search

Probably got as much chance of them taking you on in paid employment really as you have with the Job Centre option.

theone999

missi76 wrote: »

Thanks both for your input, it's good to hear other peoples opinions as usually it's the forgotten things that matter.

Luckily my son works in a supermarket part time and I get the same staff discount as he does so there's a saving I already receive.

Also, I think it's about 2 months I have been on JSA now, (sorry, my bad) I started claiming ESA 5 months ago but decided to change to JSA 2 months ago so I could look for work.
I may consider the voluntary option to gain some current experience as not done retail for a while and may help me into paid employment and the job centre said it can be from 2 to 8 weeks only so if the employer wanted to keep me on, then they would have to after the work experience ends.

You made a mistake. You should have never come off ESA to go onto JSA. If you weren't pushed, I can only assume you were vulnerable to manipulation, the staff knew it and took advantage of your honourable but naive nature to reach their targets.

Again, there's difference between "!!!!less" benefits and what you should be genuinely entitled. When you need benefits, you should not feel guilty about taking the money, unless you blow it on drugs.

There was no reason why you couldn't look for a job on ESA in your own time and capacity independent of any Jobcentre contact. And when you find a job, simply quit ESA by stating you found an employer willing to accomodate your difficulties. Being on JSA doesn't motivate anyone who already want a job to want it more, it just means you're prone to getting shafted. Jobcentres don't really help anyone who's not in the bottom 5th percentile to find jobs. Their support is really directed at substance abusers and people did !!!!!! all at secondary school and after, or homeless (no mobile/internet/computer etc), which doesn't apply to 95% of the people.