Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

to tell jsa to stuff their money

78 replies

wannabeamillionaire · 08/05/2012 01:21

Again short version: looked after my dad for two years (he has alz). Before that I was a Accounts Manager on a good salary. Been on JSA for two months now because dad has deteriorated. Last week I posted that they want to send me on a course to send emails, create a spreadsheet etc. I have to sign on every week because my advisor thinks I am "losing direction" :( I even asked her if she had even looked at my cv.

They can shove the course where the sun does not shine seriously.. So anyway after taking another posters advice about different websites I have found voluntary work where I would be advising in Mental Health (Lets face it I know about mental health now).

The problem is that I would still be taking a "salary" from dad's bank account each week. This is something that we all decided at the time that dad became ill that I would do and I would carry on doing until I got another job.

So the salary would tick me over until I found another job without the government's so called help.

I do not think I ABU but just wanted to get other people's advice really.

OP posts:

AmberLeaf · 08/05/2012 01:25

If you can get by on your 'wage' from your dad then go for it!

While doing your voluntary work have you got job hunting plans too?

Think I remember your other thread.

poocatcherchampion · 08/05/2012 01:26

If you don't need the benefit then step aside for someone who does. Politely will do fine.

Original poster

wannabeamillionaire · 08/05/2012 01:34

I do need it I am a single parent blah blah, but I am being a little stubborn and proud. I just think that the jobsworth's in the jobcentre are so patronising it is untrue.

I think that my experience is being wasted. Why send me for a job in Boot's when they know I can do so much better. Also looking after my dad has taught me so much and made me realise that there are so many people that need help out there. Surely I am better of by helping others and putting my experience into practice

I have job hunting plans but I do not want to go back into finance and just sit at a desk :( I want to mark my place

OP posts:

lovelydogs · 08/05/2012 01:39

Well, I don't think they can make you apply for that job at Boots, you can say that it is not the type of work you are looking for and they will simply move on, no?

Original poster

wannabeamillionaire · 08/05/2012 01:45

lovelydogs: I had to apply for it. She then checked that I did. No problem but that is not what I sat exams, worked for the last fecking hundred years for building up a career etc to end up working in Boots.

Am so pissed of about this I cannot sleep.

OP posts:

justaboutisnowakiwi · 08/05/2012 02:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lovelydogs · 08/05/2012 02:08

No wonder! Sounds like you may have had a bit of bad luck with who is dealing with your case. When I was in a similar position to you I explained exactly what I was looking for and when the only jobs that came up were cashier at Aldi and Greggs I politely said no thanks and that was that. It's shocking that she made you apply for a position at Boots with your experience

minibmw2010 · 08/05/2012 06:36

Or maybe (playing devils advocate) they are fed up of people 'waiting for their ideal job' and are just trying to get people into work, any work ?? Is that so terrible ???

NiceViper · 08/05/2012 06:45

Your plan sounds fine in terms of the cash element; though to avoid nasty accusations I hope that others knew of your DF's consent to this arrangement before his deterioration.

How many years of NI credit do you have? Do not forget that is also part of JSA.

CupOfBrownJoy · 08/05/2012 06:53

Yanbu

The job centre are bastards and if you don't have to deal with them, then don't.

Been in work 2 years now and I still fucking hate the useless twats

GateGipsy · 08/05/2012 06:53

I don't mean to be harsh, but the Jobcentre isn't there to assist you in your career development. It is there to get you working so you're not on JSA anymore. As long as your income is more than your benefits it doesn't matter a jot what job you're doing.

It doesn't have to be forever. You do the job, any job, and while you're doing that you work on your next career step.

If you do really want to make this career move, and it really does sound like you know that's what you'll be happier doing, then talk to your JSA advisor and see if there's anything they can do to assist you. If it can't be worked into what you're doing then you'll have to decide what is the best thing - less money but better move for your career dropping JSA and going to do the volantary work, or staying on JSA, getting any old job going, and making your next move from there.

You do sound way more positive than you did in your last thread though. It sounds like maybe now you have a goal in mind and that makes a big difference. It will help you focus by letting you work out what steps you need to take.

The JSA is just trying to get you to stop treading water, and these are the only means at its disposal. In a way it seems to have worked, as you sound a lot more purposeful now!

Emmielu · 08/05/2012 07:07

You do realise voluntary doesn't count as "earning your benefits" that's what I was told anyway. Been out of work 8 months & have been told to drop voluntary & get paid work by October.

MoreBeta · 08/05/2012 07:20

I second what Emmielu said. You have to be careful 'volunteering' while claiming benefits. I used to work for a charity that had a lot of people coming in on work experience that had been sent by the job centre but they were not allowed to just turn up and volunteer off their own bat. It is a few years ago now and we did have people coming along who had been bookkeepers, branch managers and so on. They wanted work and suffered the same sort of issues as you are facing. Just be careful you don't accidentally contravene some obscure rule - it does not make sense and it is not doing you any good but the rules are there and they job centre staff have to enforce them.

belindarose · 08/05/2012 07:26

Definitely check about NI contributions. I've had problems with them. I'm doing a part time temp job that earns too much to get JSA but not enough to make NI contributions. So I still have to go and sign on every fortnight, just to get them paid. Maybe you could do that?

Mosman · 08/05/2012 07:49

I would not let them off so lightly, you've got the gumption to sort yourself out but plenty of others are relying on them to help and if they don't these people will be screwed.

As for the JSA not being needed, that's hardly the point you are entitled to it and if you don't claim it a) the unemployment figures will drop by one which is not true and for that reason alone I wouldn't sign off. b) if it all doesn't go to plan you'll be back to square one.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 08/05/2012 07:55

If you don't want to be available to work at any job then you shouldn't be getting JSA. Your voluntary job sounds like it will be good for you, so do it and continue to use your Dads money if you are still caring for him. I'm a bit confused, I think I must have missed something, but why did you give up a job to care for your dad only to have to find another job?

You might be better off applying for carers allowance if you are being a carer.

Llanbobl · 08/05/2012 07:59

Firstly - no-one makes you claim benefit - so if you wish to take money from your father - then that is your choice. However, if you do claim benefits,you have to accept that there are conditions attached to receiving it (just like in work really) when you claim JSA you are agreeing that you are available for any suitable work (within your agreed restrictions) - so if you can clean or work in a factory then what is stopping you? You have caring responsibilities and if you have explained this, the Advisor may be able to restrict your availability. Also, in certain circumstances you can look for work in your specified profession/field for the first 13 weeks.

Secondly, why don't you claim carer's allowance if your father needs your care?

Thirdly - absolute bollocks from the poster about volunteering - this is how stupid myths perpetuate and I see cases every day where people say "but Bob up the road said you can't do x,y or z" and end up losing money and I have to look at how to put it right. Volunteering has no hours limits. If you are paid anything over and above your actual expenses or if you work for a company unpaid (when it would be reasonable for them to pay you) there may be a further investigation whilst it is decided if you are volunteering or in work, but if you discuss all of this with the Advisor you'll not go far wrong.

Fourthly, while you have some experience of dealing with a person with MH issues, I find your statement that "let's face it I know about MH issues now" quite insulting to those dedicated professionals who do know about MH issues.

squidworth · 08/05/2012 08:01

You mentioned we all decided, who is the all and is their paperwork, I ask as someone who has lost their parents. This could come and bite you if you have siblings and no paperwork. I do not think the JSA have done anything wrong, lots of people would love a job in boots, they are there to get people off benefits if you claim you are agreeing you are fit for work. Why are you not claiming carer's instead. You do have my sympathies with your dad.

Codandchops · 08/05/2012 08:04

YANBU, this voluntary work might lead to other (paid) work. I don't understand the issue about voluntary work at a time when the Govt are trying to get people on to Workfare. You are getting up in the morning and providing a service which wouldn't be there without the input of volunteers AND you will gain experience in a field which might well supply paid work for you in the future. It's a win win situation as far as I can see. In fact I would have more time for Workfare IF people could volunteer in a field that is appropriate for them rather than provide unpaid slave labour for Tescos.

NiceViper · 08/05/2012 08:28

You can volunteer for any amount of time, but it must be agreed with your adviser, and they may limit hours (for to be on JSA you are required to be putting the time into job hunting) and type (has to be something which can be relinquished immediately when paid work is offered).

I am surprised your adviser was so pushy about jobs which do not match previous experience before the first three months was up. That usually kicks in only after the first 13 (or if you are lucky 26) weeks. But kick in it will, so moving off benefits may be the solution, just as long as it is clear your DF has willingly consented to your using his savings in this way.

ScarletLadyOfTheNight01 · 08/05/2012 08:29

I can understand the idea of a jobcentre course may sound frustrating, but my DH has just finished one and he actually found it very constructive. They got him an interview and we're just waiting to hear if he has the job, but it's looking promising as he had a call-back. Maybe it's worth giving it a go before you write it off?

Doodlekitty · 08/05/2012 08:43

I know exactly how you feel. I'm about to sign off JSA for the second time. The first time I had been signing on for one month when they wanted to send me on a course about sending emails and writing letters. I'm a qualified teacher and in my last job was in charge of ICT! It really annoyed me that they wanted to waste time and money teaching me to suck eggs. I understand that some people need it but I was not one of them. I was not against the idea of extra training but I didn't want to lose a day of job hunting for something pointless.
Luckily, I hit on some supply work so did not go (although when I rang to tell them that they wanted me to cancel supply in order to attend! That supply went on to last 10 months)

This time I have been on nearly 4 months. No mention of any courses. They have supported my decision to only look for teaching work. Then I got pregnant (due in oct) and they simply could not understand that I could not apply for teaching jobs that start in September.

I start job in a call centre on Monday. Hope I never have to set foot in there again

Mosman · 08/05/2012 09:29

You have to remember that when somebody attends one of their courses and then goes on to get a job which they would have got anyway it looks as though the job centre are actually doing what they are paid to do.

We all know this is not the case so anyone with half a brain cell is pushed and pushed, the ones who could actually do with the help sign on week in week out without being challenged.

Belmo · 08/05/2012 09:38

YANBU, my brother is about to start a "work experience opportunity" - 42 hours a week in a warehouse for free. I really can't see what he is expected to gain from this.

Olympia2012 · 08/05/2012 09:38

As a lone parent you only need work 16 hours..... Why can't you do both? Work and volunteer?

Flip

1 2 3 4