To think I'm going to really struggle to look for work now?

[2021sucksballs]

I am currently receiving UC since losing my job last year.

For reasons completely outside of my control I will be losing my transport as of next month.

Obviously at the moment the obligation to look for work has been suspended but when lockdown ends this will be lifted and I will be expected to look for work again.

I don't have an issue with this, in fact I want to work! My issue is that without transport I am virtually housebound and it will be almost impossible to find a job. Many employers around this area require you to have your own transport as part of the job description due to lack of public transport.

My nearest bus stop is 3 miles away down an unlit main A road with no pavements. Services are limited anyway and currently restricted even more due to Covid. Every town I could potentially get a job in is at least a 20 minute drive away.

I really don't know what I can do. I don't have many friends and no family here so no one who could give me lifts. Will UC still expect me to look for work or will I get sanctioned? So scared right now.

That's a shame about broadband, that does make it more difficult! Retail skills would have a crossover to do a lot of 'office jobs' that are customer service based, but they do require decent internet unfortunately.
The job centre will require you to do an awful lot of job hunting, including applying for jobs you can't realistically get without transport. If you do that you shouldn't be sanctioned but it's quite disheartening to keep applying. If the job centre think you should be able to travel - ie if they deem the travel reasonable - they would sanction you if you turned it down.
Honestly, in the long run I could imagine them pressuring you to move or to apply for roles that come with accommodation, like live in care work.

I would suggest a live in role.

In a joined up and sensible world, I would hope that the requirement to look for work and restarting of the cbt would happen at the same time. So that your transport issue would be resolved and you would have a reasonable chance of being successful in finding work.

Sorry, I don't understand about your driving test. If you had a licence before, is it illegal for you to ride a motorcycle right now? Are there no extensions/exemptions?
Are there any care homes or elderly people within walking distance of your home? People who might require a carer/cleaner/admin person?
I work remotely and I think this is impossible for you without broadband.
A live-in job somewhere would be ideal. I googled 'live in carer and a lot of recent jobs and agencies came up, including one for £826 per week in London. Perhaps you could ask your work coach to help you apply for those? Just for 6 months or so until you are able to get your licence and have some money in your account to make more choices.

Also, look ay 'resident boarding school assistant' jobs. I see a few offered for April 2021. I imagine they usually coincide with school terms. No teaching or nursing experience necessary on the ones I'm looking at.

@Diana if the OP posters CBT for motorbikes has expired then she can not ride a motorbike over 50cc (I am guessing hers is a 125cc).

Yes I ride a 125cc. I have to re do the CBT's every 2 yrs - my plan was to save and do my full test after the last one but thanks to Covid that is completely out of reach now. No exemptions or extensions. I've phoned the DVLA and the DVSA and it's basically a 'sorry but there's nothing we can do' answer.

There really is nothing within walking distance except a corner shop and 2 takeaways.

I would try not to worry. I would imagine that by the time UC are back requiring you to attend interviews, the testing centres will also be open again for you to retake your test. They won’t be closed forever.

I know this long shot but would a trip to the town be doable on an e-bike? I know they're expensive but lots of employers have cycle to work schemes where the cost of the bike is deducted from wages. There isn't usually a minimum time in work to apply because the organisation technically own the bike until the last payment is made so there shouldn't be a risk to the company. And while it sounds like a bit of a faff, many organisations are really keen to encourage it as its good for their green credentials, and in local authorities it's been pushed more to help reduce people using public transport (covid risk)
Keep an eye on employee benefits when applying for jobs and see if that's a possibility. My company has a trial scheme for anyone wanting one so they're available immediately (and trust me when I say that my organisation doesn't offer 'benefits' as such!)

Could you get a moped instead of a motorcycle? I think the licensing laws are different.

OP I think the expectation to look for work will occur around the same time the restrictions are lifted so you will be able to do your test pretty soon after. In the meantime tell the work coach/job centre your situation and ask for financial support to attend any interviews you get.

So sorry OP. If you don't want to run a car for financial reasons, could you consider an electric bike or trike? I know they are pretty dear, but some employers run a "Cycle to work scheme" If you can't cycle for disability reasons, the trike could be useful.

On the DVLA website there is a message to riders: If your registration is due to expire

If your CBT, direct access scheme (DAS) or DVSA enhanced rider scheme instructor registration certificates are due to expire before the end of June 2020, we will automatically renew them for you.

Are you sure they aren't giving automatic extensions, as in the first lockdown? I'm sure you've called DVLA, but it's a fast changing situation.

Ah, sorry I just caught up with the thread and see you've phoned them.

Can you cycle, OP? It’s not a perfect solution but the only thing I can think of aside from seeing if the job centre will refund your taxi, and ultimately moving house.

I’m sorry about your job OP. Try not to worry, maybe see if there’s a UC helpline you can ring? Or call Citizens Advice?

I work from home permanently ie not covid related, in IT, on a 4g mobile internet set up because the broadband is rubbish due to how rural we are. I have no problems at all with the set up and I know others who do the same, so you may not need broadband. I originally moved from retail to call centre work, your customer service skills are very useful for this kind of work and many places will supply the computer etc for this. Looking now would be better as companies are more open to full time working from home staff at the moment.
I dont drive and I do sympathise, I have often had over an hours walk to a bus stop, 1 to 2 buses and a commute time over well over 3 hours a day and its shit so I understand your issues, but that should be more of an incentive go get permanent work from home work?

If. You have hospitality experience how about looking for a live in role?

www.simplyhired.co.uk/search?q=live+in+hotel+job&job=9KZ692XJyuu537zARJHKGUi02EgK5SqPTPq4If83CYNsQxnncSWKXA

If you are not tied to your area then it could be ideal?

@SittinOnTheDockOfTheBay unfortunately they aren't. Still need a CBT.

Electric bikes are good but SO expensive (more so than my motorbike!). Not sure if any employers in this area are offering schemes, I will look into it.

Tbh with the types of roads around here I would be very hesitant to cycle that sort of distance even if my body could physically hack it. Lots of hills, narrow roads and very unsafe. Driver attitudes are unfortunately disgusting towards cyclists 😞 It's not impossible but would be difficult. I have some experience with this, I cycled to work and back a similar distance in another area that had better roads and a designated cycle path a few years back and it was hellish. I remember actually sobbing with exhaustion on the way home one day.

I have an appointment with my work coach tomorrow so I will update him and see what he says.

I'm just hoping & praying things will reopen soon. The lady on the phone at the DVSA seemed to suggest that bike tests would reopen before cars but someone else told me the exact opposite 😭

I would just wait and see and take each issue as it appears Op. try not to get yourself stressed out about this as it may not become an issue at all.

I'm going to try to 😊 I just get so freaked out at the idea of losing my transport, it's well known around here that's it's pretty much essential for all manner of reasons. I know it's a MN clique but I literally have been sobbing and shaking on and off all day 😂 Given myself a massive headache now.

Everything just feels so hopeless, and I was doing so well up until now! Feel like I've had so much taken from me recently, lost my job, lost my partner, the ONE thing I had left was my freedom that I could at least come and go as I pleased (within reason) and now I've lost that too. I hope 🤞 that's it's only temporary but struggling to find a point to anything now, or a way out.

Just breathe. It'll be ok.

It will be ok. (((Hugs))) for you.

Thank you 😊 x

I think DVLA are letting essential workers who need to use a bike for their work have a test. On the off-chance you find a job with the NHS, they might help get you a test.

Not sure if this is helpful or not but what about roles that don't require transport like people dropping stuff off for you.
Like cleaning/ironing/dog sitting/childcare etc.
No idea if you have any relevant qualifications for those and I know it's a cliche that always gets mentioned on here but if you get really stuck then maybe it's a possibility as it wouldn't require
full time internet access?