Son just left college.....now what?

Louisepp

Hi. I’m new to the boards.

My son left college in June and has yet to find a job. I have a number of questions concerning what we do now. He isn’t the greatest communicator so I need to find out for myself. If I may start with a couple of my questions.

1 He goes to the Job Centre and puts ‘something’ into the machine which gives him a list of totally jobs (none of which he has ‘got’, most of them unsuitable). Can they talk to a human down there? I think they have to make an appointment, and I think it’s a month before they get one, but not sure. He keeps believing he’ll find a job before then, so delays………:(

2. What about ‘signing on’. Does he have to wait a certain amount of time after leaving college before he can do this? Where do you sign on?

His child benefit money will stop at the end of the month, and our tax credits go down. I assume that if he is entitled to unemployment benefit, that would be for his keep (with some pocket money)? Hopefully it wont come to that, and he’ll find a job soon, but I would like to be prepared.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

chugalug

You probably need to give a bit more information. How old is your son? What's your situation ie do you claim any benefits, are you part of a couple, do you own your home or rent? Seems a bit intrusive but all these things are relevant if your son has no income and his situation will probably impact on you financially.

Louisepp

Sorry...yes, he's 18 (2 weeks ago). Both parents at home and 13yr old sibling. Not sure of our joint income as I'm SE and it get confusing, guessing about £16,000 . We do get some tax credit, but not a lot.

Own a home, but still paying a mortgage

Fran

Louisepp wrote:

I assume that if he is entitled to unemployment benefit, that would be for his keep (with some pocket money)?

As a dependant it would be up to him how he spends any jobseekers allowance he gets. It would be up to you to negotiate with him how much he will contribute towards food etc. that you give him if he lives at home.

Louisepp

Thank you Fran. So he is entitled to an allowance? Is it called 'Jobseekers allowance' and not 'unemployment benefit' these days? I feel so clueless.

He's been for 34 jobs so far. Got one interview a couple of months ago working in the kitchens at Pizza Hut. He was asked to work an evening to 'check him out', which he did. He didn't get the job, but there were 23 others going for the one job. Shame. At least it would have been something.

He's just passed his HND in IT, but isn't that keen to follow the IT route.

Do you usually make an appointment to see a human at the Job Centre? At the moment he just does the visits to a machine where he enters details and gets suggestions.

Savvy_Sue

He should also be able to get in touch with a Connexions adviser, because he's not yet 19. That may be helpful because they are geared up to younger people rather than the whole age range of job seekers. And in theory they ought to be able to help him think what he does want to do rather than just go for any job he sees.

Please can I recommend that you do insist he pays something towards his keep from his Job Seekers Allowance? I'm sure it won't be a lot of money he gets, but you have lost his Child Benefit, and he won't be eating any less now he's trying to find work, and it will help keep him motivated towards finding a job. Also helping around the house, laundry, cooking, shopping, washing up etc! He sounds good and motivated now, which is great, but don't let him get comfortable!

Louisepp

Thank you Savvy_Sue. Unfortunately, he's not very motivated, but I'm on his back as much as I dare! It doesn't help that his friends are all around. Once they move on to Uni, I think he'll be a bit more inclined.

I don't think he has had much luck with connextions. I remember they have called him, but he just tells me "they are useless". Not sure what they've done to warrant that.

He knows he will have to pay rent, which brings me to another question

When (if) he gets a job, what sort of percentage do people usually agree to for board and lodging. I want to be fair. Of course I realise it will depend on how much he gets, but it would be interesting to hear what others pay.

krisskross

When our children were at home we worked on the thirds system. We used to deduct fares from hatever they got then they handed over 1/3 for housekeeping and kept 2/3rds. Everyone seemed to think this was fair....but of course doing this with JSA means you are standing still as what he gives you will barely cover the lost child benefit.
Has he tried going around all the local shops and businesses with his CV and asking for work, sometimes this produces results.

Louisepp

Cheers. 1/3 gives me a good idea, some base to work around. For the time being he's walking the shops, pubs and restaurants asking for work. I'm pleased he's doing this, but secretly reserved as I know that he'll stick with what he gets.

No ambition and likes a routine. He's got it into his head that he wants to do this sort of work. I believe that is because his friends do it for pocket money, so he feels safe....going into something he knows a little about. He should really be aiming a little higher. Does that sound awful? He has his HND, his load of GCSE's and an IQ of something like 149. I just can't see him behind a counter for the rest of his life...and that's what he'll do. He'll stick with it rather than stress himself out looking for something else.

He has Aspergers syndrome. It's not too much of a problem, but makes interviews hard (struggles with eye contact - but he tries). I'm really appreciating the feedback. I'm feeling a bit clueless about what families do at this stage.

Fran

You might be interested in this thread: How much housekeeping for a 19 year old? where the amount of contribution has been discussed. I also started a similar thread a while ago and as krisskross says it seems that the general opinion is thirds. As your son would be on Jobseekers Allowance this is £44.50 for someone under 25 yrs. old. You might find the Citizens Advice website useful regarding benefits and entitlements.

I don't know anything about Aspergers but has he mentioned this in the Jobcentre? He might be able to get extra help.

Bendybops19

Wow, dont you think 1/3 is rather alot for an 18yr old who wont be earning much at all? I understand it must be hard now you have lost the child benefit though.

He sounds like a really bright boy I'm sure he will get something soon. Its just that there are lots of people back from uni getting summer jobs at the mo.