Has anyone had a NDLP meeting?

[stupidgirl]

I got a letter last week saying that between April and September, I am going to be 'invited' to a meeting with a New Deal for Lone Parents advisor (I thought it wasn't meant to be until the youngest child is of school age, but never mind). I am trying to find some work, and wondered whether it would be better for me to contact them now and look for work through them. Would I have a better chance of finding work that way?

I went to one of these 2 weeks ago they basically tell you whats available.If you want to return to work they can help you with that,they can tell you about different financial help available,some of the things i was told about were help with childcare costs,grants for returning to work clothes(suits etc),continuation of rent and c.t benefit till first wage is though etc so yes defo worth a visit.

I went to one and they worked out what my income would be after tax and insurance and with tax credits, so it was useful - I knew what I was letting myself in for in accepting a job...

My friend went to one. They helped her find a job she was interested in, arranged the interview, worked out what her benefit entitlment would be and even offered her money for clothes and hair cut for the interview.
She got the job and is loving it. She is only slightly better off but she has now said that she wouldn't of minded if her money had stayed the same as it's worth it just for the interaction with other adults and the satisfaction of knowing that she's worked for her money.

I am yet to be invited to a meeting but DD is too young and im a student nurse, so not otherwise availible for work. I did however go and see someone at the benifits agency before i started on my course as my first year im on income support and have a long summer holiday, so wanted to get some part time work then. before going back in september to uni for 3 full years with no more long holidays. I was advised well at the benefits agency bloke, who told me that if i go to work then i will not be offered as much help next year, as im seen to be in a position to work, if that makes sense? so yes not the decision that i wanted but it will help me get to where i want to get eventuallY1 so yes definately go, but if you dont want to work before your youngest goes to, or even leave school you dont have to. I agree with nutcracker tho interaction with adults is a big plus and once i got over not seeing DD 24 /7 I felt much better!

Just be careful not to take everything they say totally as gospel. I had to deal with a case at work of a woman who was misadvised as to her benefit entitlement (the LPA told her she would get her childcare costs paid but didn't take into account that the childcarer was the client's mother, and not a registered childminder). As a result the client was advised that she would get Housing Benefit, not to pay her full rent, and she ended up with rent arrears and now has a suspended possession order agaisnt her. I don't mean to be sceptical, it is just a small caution.

I have been to a couple, and they show you what jobs are available in areas of work you are looking to get into. They are quite helpful knowing what benefits you'll get too. I say ring them up rather than waiting for them to give you a date, especially if you are looking for work now.