surely, having no money for transport, is a valid reason to not be able to sign on tomorrow?

[Tortoise]

I put £5 aside for tomorrow to get the train to go and sign on ( lone parent jsa). But checked earlier and only have £2 left on electric pre pay meter so I have had to put my last £5 on that.

So, phoned job centre to say I can't get in to sign on tomorrow only to be told it may not be considered a valid excuse (as she called it). And I wouldn't get my benefits until I can get there to sign on and I would most likely lose money.

I've already have to do without much food yesterday day so that dc had enough to eat. No money until Thursday child tax credits.

Sorry I didn't realise they had changed it already. Just out of interest how much better off would someone be if they worked 16 hours for around min wage?

If you get on the train without a ticket they can give you a penalty charge notice costs the same as a ticket. Take ID so you can prove who you are.

OP if you are with halifax i can send you £5 and i think it will go through straight away.

It depends massively adamschic. Over 16 hours you are usually better off, presuming you can find childcare (scarce near rural schools). Under 16 hours and you are 'allowed' to keep £20 a week from your wages without losing benefits. Anything you earn over that is taken from various benefits.
Unfortunately, £20 a week often doesn't cover a part-time commute in petrol costs - working actually means I'm worse off (financially, not in other ways obviously).

'As attendance at the jobcentre is only once every 2 weeks and is a regular event it will be questioned why you spent the travel money on other things.You knew it was required.'

Same as school shoes but when you don't have any spare money , something has to give i guess.

Surely someone can lend you a fiver till Thursday .....

I can't even think of a way of loaning you the money. Do you know anyone locally who would give you the cash if someone sent them gifted paypal (can't be reversed).

Can't pay for ticket by card as you need card to collect tickets.

HappyMummy because we are constantly fed bull shit of 'the country can't afford it', 'crack down on benefit fraud' etc, and the people who carry the can are like the OP. It's Dickensian. Disgraceful in a civilised country to put people through that stress. For what? There's a global recession. There asre no jobs

I was just wondering how much the government would be saving from a single mum working 16 hours a week rather than relying 100% on state benefits and how much better the household will be. After paying out childcare and the 70% that you can claim. I doubt anyone actually benefits.

I do work though, that wasn't clear from the above.

The trouble with the crisis loan idea is that the OP would no doubt have to apply for it at the job centre, wouldn't she? I would hop on the train without a ticket and cry if they caught me

Oh dear, poor you.

Borrow the money to get there, or owe somebody fuel money to get a lift.

It sounds really harsh, but you will have to plan ahead next time to avoid this stress.

Where does OP live? Can any MNers offer a lift? OP, I'll drive you if you're anywhere near me.

adamschic "I was just wondering how much the government would be saving from a single mum working 16 hours a week rather than relying 100% on state benefits and how much better the household will be. After paying out childcare and the 70% that you can claim. I doubt anyone actually benefits".

You're probably right in the short term but the cost of long term unemployment and the statistical life outcomes of children born into poverty would suggest that it costs a lot more long term, in a lentil weaving way and financially.

I couldn't accept money off mners. I will see if I can find someone local who can lend me a fiver. Thanks though, its really appreciated.

Tortoise, would you accept a lift though?

Good question adams Just listening to R4 news about fraudulent MP (Labour) Margaret Moran who falsely claimed £30K (?) She might get sent down (good). She's not alone, these gits made the rules the OP now suffers under; bet MP's neverr had to choose train fare or food. Has anything effective been done about tax evasion yet? Probably not.

I'll do you a lift if you're local (Devon)?

Tortoise it would have been a loan

I was going to suggest that Tortoise PM me her bank details and I can transfer it across now. But I can understand why she may feel uncomfortable with that.

Oh HappyMummy. I do hope nothing ever happens to burst your utopian bubble and you end up in a situation where you are on your arse.

We are offering you the money Tortoise, you are not taking it off us :)

I was just about to ask about lifts. Please do think about borrowing the money. Like some (wiser) MNetters have explained on this thread it will be taken seriously (badly) if you do not attend and for the sake of a fiver its not worth it.

Hmmm have you any friends on line who have on-line banking who would you loan you a fiver (well may have to be £10 to use cash machine). I don't have internet banking otherwise I'd do it.

I've been here a looooooooooooong time but have name changed so recognnise you IYSWIM.

Hugs Tortoise,
The lad next door frequently has these sorts of problems, no car, expensive bus 3 miles away - job center 12 miles away.

Or have you checked the piggy banks? You can always pay it back....

Good luck Tortoise , planning ahead sounds lovely when you aren't having to decide between , school shoes , electric , signing on money and food. What can give ......

Crikey Somerset is too far .

Do you have paypal tortoise? I can send you a tenner until Thurs no probs.