Job seeking/ Travel costs

Legacy_user

Hi,

When on job seekers allowance and looking for work do the government in anyway help out with travel costs when going for job interviews?

I'm just starting out on looking for new work after being laid off and I have savings I can use to top up my income while looking for work so at the moment I do not have to worry. But it got me thinking today as I went for 2 job interviews in two different towns and it cost in total around £13 rail fares to attend both interviews.

How do people manage if they have no savings :think:

Energize

The job centre will normally pay travel expenses for job interviews.

TBagpuss

You may be able to get help but you need to ask, and to check what is needed to make a claim (i.e. do they need a copy of the letter inviting you for interview) They will probably only pay for the cheapest method of transport so may only pay the cost of a bus fare if that's cheaper (even if less conveneint) than a train, for example.

(Apparently there is also a 'jobseekers railcard' - from the YouGov website:
Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card
This is provided to those unemployed claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit for 3-9 months (18-24 year olds) or 3-12 months (over 25s). Other benefit recipients may receive a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card from 3 months of their claim and if they are actively engaged with a Jobcentre Plus adviser. Cardholders are entitled to a 50% discount on selected rail tickets.

Maybe worth enquiring about this?

Guest101

can you not find anything in your town? It's just usually easier to find the job you want, when you're already employed.

System

Thanks for all the replies.

As I said I started with interviews yesterday and my job ends this Saturday so early days. I will definitely be asking job centre come Monday morning on what I'm entitled to.

Ideally of course I would love a job that takes the bare travel time to get too but I have always worked so if means traveling a distance so be it.

andygb

john22 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

As I said I started with interviews yesterday and my job ends this Saturday so early days. I will definitely be asking job centre come Monday morning on what I'm entitled to.

Ideally of course I would love a job that takes the bare travel time to get too but I have always worked so if means traveling a distance so be it.

First of all, good luck with the job hunting.
The DWP are bound to pay travel expenses for interviews, but they will require proof - tickets usually - and a telephone number for the employer possibly (but I was never asked for this, I used to show them an email confirmation of the interview). They seem to be very reluctant to pay expenses when you have to sign up to agencies.
I think that the DWP also stipulate that you should be prepared to travel 90 minutes each way to work, which is a total joke, because NMW wouldn't pay enough to cover the travel costs if that was in London.

Stylehutz

andygb wrote: »

First of all, good luck with the job hunting.
The DWP are bound to pay travel expenses for interviews, but they will require proof - tickets usually - and a telephone number for the employer possibly (but I was never asked for this, I used to show them an email confirmation of the interview). They seem to be very reluctant to pay expenses when you have to sign up to agencies.
I think that the DWP also stipulate that you should be prepared to travel 90 minutes each way to work, which is a total joke, because NMW wouldn't pay enough to cover the travel costs if that was in London.

My thoughts exactly 90 minutes a joke. It also discriminates against job seekers that have their own transport and those that dont. People with their own transport are expected to apply for more minimum wage jobs then those who rely on public transport.

andygb

Stylehutz wrote: »

My thoughts exactly 90 minutes a joke. It also discriminates against job seekers that have their own transport and those that dont. People with their own transport are expected to apply for more minimum wage jobs then those who rely on public transport.

It would cost me £390 a month to travel to London, and £29 for a return ticket for interviews. Thank God I managed to get a job relatively close to home.
I remember asking my jobcoach last year, how I was supposed to afford a ticket to get to work (bearing in mind my benefits would stop immediately, and I wouldn't be paid for at least a month), when my OH and I were only receiving just over £400 a month in benefits. He just looked at me and said - "That is not my problem":(

IAmWales

Travel expenses are paid from the advisers discretionary fund. The likelihood of them being granted depends on local policy, which in turn depends on how far those funds have to stretch. Some areas will pay with evidence of an interview, some will require proof that you can't otherwise afford it (you'd need to provide bank statements).

Please let us know how you get on.

System

andygb wrote: »

It would cost me £390 a month to travel to London, and £29 for a return ticket for interviews. Thank God I managed to get a job relatively close to home.
I remember asking my jobcoach last year, how I was supposed to afford a ticket to get to work (bearing in mind my benefits would stop immediately, and I wouldn't be paid for at least a month), when my OH and I were only receiving just over £400 a month in benefits. He just looked at me and said - "That is not my problem":(

hypothetically If I was pushed into a job interview that resulted in near to worst off income than the benefits after travelling costs I would make myself not employable to the company during the interview. Also if I could not afford to travel to the interview then they would be getting a bank statement proving it:)