Bit of benefits advice/could be jobseekers advice

Hootie19

I am convinced I am about to be made redundant. I have been with the company for 18 months.

The criteria for being made redundant, we have been told, is "length of service and other criteria". I am one of the last in, so it doesn't bode well on that front. Today, the manger individually asked each of the secretaries to clarify what qualifications they have. From discussions around the water cooler afterwards, I appear to be the least qualified. So it doesn't bode well on that front either.

Anyway.

Assuming I am able to sign on (would it be JSA? - I am married, if that's relevant) I assume I would be offered training to further my chances of finding more employment.

My musing is - if I am involved in a training course, am I expected to be actively seeking employment at the same time (which I would want to be - I don't want to run the risk of missing a job). And if I am seeking, and get offered employment would I be expected to take it immediately, or would I be able to continue to the end of the course I am taking (from the benefits/dole point of view, not the prospective employer's point of view), or would I be expected to leave the course part way through.

Sorry, I'm probably using very outdated language - it has, happily, been a long long time since I have had any dealings with the unemployment department!

dmg24

You will find that the offer of training does not really kick in until you are on New Deal, which for over 25's is after eighteen months, under 25's six months, and over 50's six months.

Assuming you have paid sufficient NI contributions (have you been working for two of the last three financial years?), you will qualify for contributions based JSA.

If you are claiming JSA and on a training course, if you found a job that was to start immediately, you would need to start it immediately.

It's a funny old system! x