JSA Sanction Question

johnsmithy

Hi

I was just wondering, I am claiming JSA and I have been told to look into voluntary work with a potential for something developing at the end of it.

The thing is, I'd rather start a job, when I find one and get paid from day one, not wait until something occurs with voluntary as I don't know how long it'd be before something develops and without being disrespectful, I don't want to give my time up for free.

My question is, if I decide not to go down the voluntary route, can my JSA be sanctioned as I can't afford for it to be - I don't want to be difficult about it but its not something I really want to do, if I am being honest.

Could someone point me in the direction of my rights as a JSA claimant in case the Job Centre got stroppy in regards to my decision but if its something I can't get out of, I will accept it.

Thanks

TELLIT01

If you are doing voluntary work you can stop immediately if a paid job comes up. Doing voluntary work can also look good in your CV as it shows that you wanted to work.
Refusing to follow JSA requirements may lead to sanctions.

sangie595

Most reputable voluntary and community organisations aren't all that interested in you either. They want volunteers who want to volunteer, not people who are there because they only want to keep their benefits.

On the other hand, right now you are being given the chance to find something that you would be happy to do - when it becomes compulsory, you will do and go where you are told to.

To be honest, I find your attitude disappointing, but not surprising. You aren't giving up your time for free. You would be helping others instead of yourself, and you are going to be paid to do it with my money. To be honest, paying taxes for your benefits isn't something I really want to do, but then I guess we can't always have what we want.

Of course, there is another alternative. Get a job.

[Deleted User]

What have you done in the past?

It baffles me how people think anyone can volunteer regardless - they can't.

I remember trying one very large and well known organisation where it was made clear (I understood more delicately 2nd time around) because I had safeguarding of vulnerable adults instilled in me from previous care work, I may not have been the best fit.

Know it doesn't help you OP, just being wacky and hence asking what you done previously instead of wading in and it's without doubt why we have a sanction appeals process. Do not be afraid to use it.

johnsmithy

That's what concerns me TELLIT01. I don't want to get sanctioned, so I think doing voluntary might just have to be the way to go.

I appreciate it might look good on the CV but even so, I'm not getting paid for doing that work.

johnsmithy

sangie595 wrote: »

Most reputable voluntary and community organisations aren't all that interested in you either. They want volunteers who want to volunteer, not people who are there because they only want to keep their benefits.

I think, to be honest, you can look at voluntary work as a pro and a con - its all good for it looking good on your CV but there is no financial gain and yes I do wish to keep my benefits. I'd rather be paid for my time than give it away for free as I'm sure the vast majority would agree.

On the other hand, right now you are being given the chance to find something that you would be happy to do - when it becomes compulsory, you will do and go where you are told to.

I'd be happy to do voluntary work if there was a job offer at the end of it but until then, I'm not getting paid for the volunteer aspect of the work until I get offered that contract.

To be honest, I find your attitude disappointing, but not surprising. You aren't giving up your time for free. You would be helping others instead of yourself, and you are going to be paid to do it with my money. To be honest, paying taxes for your benefits isn't something I really want to do, but then I guess we can't always have what we want.

Well, to be honest, I find your attitude a shade disappointing as well - when people lose or give up their jobs, there's more to it than just what people think at times and if you knew the troubles I had before I had to give up my job, you might have sympathy. If I had the chance to better someone else's life if they were suffering hardship and I was in a position to do so, I'd be more than happy to do so.

Of course, there is another alternative. Get a job.

Also, with due respect, I've spent the best part of 12 months trying to find a job and during this time, suffered medical issues as well so its not been plain sailing and to say "Get a job," if only it that were that easy.

Please don't take this as an attack but I just want you to understand my situation and that it hasn't been all plain sailing - I didn't want to give up my job but the situation had over the years, become gradually worse until it had been untenable and I did just over 11 years in the role so its nothing to be ashamed of and a lot of people have various careers in their life so I'm just in the period of leaving and trying to find a new position. Also, I had issues with medical grounds so that was another reason why I had to consider my future. So I'd be a bit careful throwing around the "Get a job" statement.

I know I will get a job and I have vast qualifications and experience but it hasn't happened yet and I just wanted to know what the sanctions would be, if any, if I refused voluntary work and I believe most would rather avoid this aspect if they could and in regards to taxes, well, I am sorry but its not actually my fault with the situation I find myself in - it was medical issues, my mental health and the future of the job progression was in jeopardy - what would you do?

johnsmithy

Deleted%20User wrote: »

What have you done in the past?

It baffles me how people think anyone can volunteer regardless - they can't.

I remember trying one very large and well known organisation where it was made clear (I understood more delicately 2nd time around) because I had safeguarding of vulnerable adults instilled in me from previous care work, I may not have been the best fit.

Know it doesn't help you OP, just being wacky and hence asking what you done previously instead of wading in and it's without doubt why we have a sanction appeals process. Do not be afraid to use it.

Thanks

I haven't been sanctioned yet, I just wanted to know what would happen if I decided not to go down the voluntary work route.

I'd be happy to do a scheme if it guaranteed an opportunity at the end of it.

Also, I told my adviser about my issues and they agreed and I've applied for well over 400 jobs so nobody can accuse me of not trying.

I'll give it some thought and see what occurs - its not my first choice, volunteering, but if it must be, it must be, if only to enhance my CV.

dawyldthing

It's probably from a references point of view as they probably are thinking it will give you a more recent reference.

I'm not sure what they can do, but if they have suggested volunteering I'm guessing they are going to keep chasing it up to see what's come about it. The other thing is if you have applied for 400 jobs have you looked into temping as it might offer you other options

Mersey_2

johnsmithy wrote: »

I know I will get a job and I have vast qualifications and experience but it hasn't happened yet and I just wanted to know what the sanctions would be, if any, if I refused voluntary work

You cannot be sanctioned for refusing a request.


Only if the JCP give you a written Jobseeker Direction (which is possible but unlikely*), could you then be sanctioned for refusing. But you could, of course, appeal this sanction.


Given your experience and qualifications, you are allowed to restrict your Job Search for a 'permitted period' of 13 weeks. This is where you restrict it to your area of specialism and past experience. This will be added to your Claimant Commitment/JSA Agreement.


* The reason I say unlikely, is that the DWP have lost the last 3 Court of Appeal rulings on sanctions, as well as 4 Upper Tribunal decisions. Although, they have now amended their W2W letters.

johnsmithy

dawyldthing wrote: »

It's probably from a references point of view as they probably are thinking it will give you a more recent reference.

I'm not sure what they can do, but if they have suggested volunteering I'm guessing they are going to keep chasing it up to see what's come about it. The other thing is if you have applied for 400 jobs have you looked into temping as it might offer you other options

I don't mind - all I want is a regular income. I am quite willing to try anything. Even if in the end it has to be voluntary work.

johnsmithy

Mersey wrote: »

You cannot be sanctioned for refusing a request.


Only if the JCP give you a written Jobseeker Direction (which is possible but unlikely*), could you then be sanctioned for refusing. But you could, of course, appeal this sanction.


Given your experience and qualifications, you are allowed to restrict your Job Search for a 'permitted period' of 13 weeks. This is where you restrict it to your area of specialism and past experience. This will be added to your Claimant Commitment/JSA Agreement.


* The reason I say unlikely, is that the DWP have lost the last 3 Court of Appeal rulings on sanctions, as well as 4 Upper Tribunal decisions. Although, they have now amended their W2W letters.

I said to my adviser I was reluctant and they could understand my reasons - its worth looking into but I wouldn't really know where to start.

I mean, I would want a voluntary admin job that led to permanence, or at least a good chance of it happening, so I'm not completely averse - I just want a regular income and a sense of purpose and to plan for my future.