55 years old, can't find a job & need to claim benefits - where to start?

[Greenseacat]

I am 55, live alone and I have worked for over 30 years combining permanent jobs as an employee with freelance contracts. I have a long term health condition.

I am now without a job or freelance work although I have applied for hundred of roles and got a trickle of job interviews and some good feedback.

I have to apply for unemployment benefits but I don't really know the system.

I am going to apply for contribution based JSA which I know is for six months but I have read people apply for UC at the same time but I am not sure I understand the logic? is that what I should do?

I get the basic rate of PIP for my disability. I have less in savings than the £16,000 which I believe would allow me to claim UC.

One of my biggest expense is council tax and I am not sure whether I can claim a discount if I get JSA? or is it UC?

Basically I am a bit lost.

I am really still hoping that I can get a job but I need to face the reality that a 55 year old woman with a disability is not the most appealing prospects for employers and I am getting increasingly despondent.

I am happy to retrain as well but don't have the money to do that so maybe being on UC might also help me access some courses?

Any advice from people would be much appreciated as I don't really have anyone to talk to about this and I am feeling embarrassed to have to claim.

Why are you embarrassed? Its not your fault the job market is awful. You will have loads to offer an employer. Have you tried www.restless.co.uk? They have jobs for over 50s.
Good luck op.

If you are living on your own you should get single person discount on council tax.

yes to contributions based jsa

can’t advise on UC I am afraid

Can you speak to Citizens Advice? Or look on their website site for information.

or turn2us.org.uk. They have a benefits calculator.
Council Tax reduction is separate from other benefits and is administered by your local authority. You need to contact them direct.
if you rent, then you get a housing allowance with Universal Credit. UC is assessed on a monthly basis and can top up your JSA, which only lasts 6 months.

First of all, don’t feel embarrassed. This is exactly what the safety net of our welfare system is intended for, you don’t currently have a job and need some help to pay the bills. After putting into the system for 30 years you have already contributed towards the money you are going to receive, and you have a legitimate need - there is nothing to feel embarrassed about.

Hope someone else can help with the practical aspects of claiming but just wanted to say that you don’t need to worry about claiming, if you’re entitled to the money you are exactly who it’s intended for.

Secondly while I’m not sure about the ins and outs of it all, you will be told by some on here that you should spend your savings before claiming. Ignore it. There is a threshold for a reason, you are allowed to keep an element of your savings and still receive benefits - I think it’s £6000. Over that amount, the payment will be tapered so that above £16,000 you aren’t entitled to anything. If you need eg a new boiler or a new car this might be the time to invest - you aren’t depriving yourself of assets, you’re giving yourself a stable place to start so that when you get a job you are able to get there reliably and won’t have issues in the winter with unreliable heating etc. so if your savings are over £6k I would look at that.

Would you be interested in starting a small business or doing whatever you’ve done before on a self employed basis? You can claim UC as a top up while you build up your client base for a year. Might be a good way to create your own job if you feel that your age and the limitations of your disability are making things harder for you.

Well they won’t backdate anything so phone them today. You’ll probably get an appointment in a couple of weeks but anything you’re entitled to will be effective from the date you claim - ie make the phone call.

Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate the support.

To answer queries

• Yes, I have signed up to the Restless e-newsletter and have been checking their website for job opportunities and advice
• Thank you for the advice about the savings elements. I have just made a list of what needs to be done for the winter such as annual service for the boiler and some small essential repairs
• I did not know you could start a small business and keep claiming UC and that sounds like a good idea to explore as well.

I had a second interview for a job last week which gave me some hope until the employer said they were interviewing people over 3 days. I was hoping only a couple of people had made it to that stage! I should hear the result by tomorrow and then I will start my claim the same day if it is another no.

Start your UC claim online, OP, and ask about LCWRA as well if you're on PIP.If you rent and you're on UC your housing element is paid to you as well as your single adult rate.

And any savings under £6000 don't affect UC. For every £250 over the £6000 its something like £4.25 is deducted from UC, and if you exceed £16000 savings your claim will be closed.

How dare you feel embarrassed!!!
I work in the public sector and I can tell you categorically that there are many, many, many people who feel zero embarrassment at all about claiming even though they have never contributed a penny to the system.
You are exactly the sort of person the system is there to help.
Get your claim in now - you can withdraw it if you get the job.