Anyone else been this unlucky with UC?

Spoonie_Turtle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82019907#Comment_82019907

You might this subforum useful for the job search side of things 🙂 : https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/employment-jobseeking-training

huckster

Most local Council Authorities have a team that helps local citizens move closer to employment or to find employment. And this help does not require people to be in receipt of benefits

So visit your local Councils website and look for support in finding employment.

Woodstok2000

AI is very helpful as a starting point for a cv/personal statement.

E.g.

Dedicated and highly organised individual returning to the workplace after 20 years as a full-time parent. Experienced in managing complex schedules, coordinating multiple priorities, problem-solving, budgeting, and communicating effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Reliable, adaptable, and quick to learn new skills, with a strong work ethic and a commitment to contributing positively within a professional environment.

Cyclamen

People talk about the worst job market for a while.. and i agree i see so many articles of young folk trying to find work and sending applications and not even getting a no thank you as a reply. You at 47 may well be up against under 21's who have a lower national wage/ minimum wage

One area you may be very well qualified for is Personal assistant roles. These are not traditional care agencies but you work for the individual disabled person (they do tax, insurance etc) under a council funded scheme called direct payments. I know we are not supposed to say such things but a person who has raised kids, run a home, organised their shopping, house bills and not killed anyone along the way often has the type of life skills I as a DP employer want. Many of us dont want or need specialist qualifications… so have a look for PA vacancies in your area perhaps.

You have the savings pot to make things easier post retirement, is there anything you need that you could purchase now to lower it. Not spending for the sake of lowering savings claiming UC but replacing things that you need eg. any of your white starting to sound a bit ropey or not work as expected.. i use that example as currently saving to replace one of ours that is definitely giving of vibes of 'not going to see another year'.

Good luck finding work

peteuk

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6670780/anyone-else-been-this-unlucky-with-uc

Just a few points/ opinions…

Firstly UC was brought in and TC stopped to close a loop hole which allowed claimants to have large amounts of savings and still claim. It has done exactly what it was meant to do. You could have £300k in capital/savings from an inherited house or sale and still claim TC. How is that fair?

You choose to stay at home and not work, whilst your husband worked and have saved more than £16k.

Because you haven’t worked in 20 yrs, you cant claim JSA. Because of your capital you cant claim UC. Its not unlucky, it is what it is.

Could the savings have not been put into a pension?

For me you’re looking for a reason to blame the current situation on, and UC is the issue.

At 47, and no recent employment history, why should a cafe employee you, when they can employ someone aged 18 cheaper? Had you had recent experience you could potentially use that to balance the lack of maths qualification. UC isnt policing the job market, the global political and economic

At 53, I’ve only ever spent two weeks at a time, between jobs. I left college at 18, and never failed an interview. My wife has a similar back ground, she has spent no more than 6 months, at a time, between jobs, we have two children (both now over 20). But when we needed it TC was stopped because she wasn’t working, so we had no child care expense. As frustrating as that is, it was what it was.

But sadly as you’ve pointed out the employment market is tough. I think your thread should be more geared up to how do I better myself to get a job, or ways to gain employment rather than focusing on UC. Good luck.

lilbooboo

UPDATE: so i am still job hunting, found some more sites online and applied through them: Indeed and CV Library are ok but i like Totaljobs, they regularly email vacancies. I'm applying for Warehouse Operative posts currently. Some of them might be through agencies. I have now passed my Maths Funtional Skills. My 18 year old daughter has just left college and is also job hunting. She has qualified in dog grooming levels 2 and 3 and has applied for work within pet shops to try and get work experience as her current dream is to have her own dog grooming business.