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Original poster

Is it worth working?? - Job Seekers Allowance.

9 replies

virago · 09/12/2009 13:42

Dh makes a joint claim for JSA at the mo. including an element of income based allowance. We have pre school kids so I'm not expected to work, but i have been offered 15 hours a week - totalling around £80 income.Will it be worth me working or will that much just be deducted from our benefit?
Anyone with experience of this?
have tried ringing JCP but they're no help and say ask when dh next signs on, but i have to make a quick decision about this position.
Thanks in anticipation.

OP posts:
Beyondfurious · 09/12/2009 13:47

could your dh look after the kids while you went to work - even if they did deduct the £80?

mumblechum · 09/12/2009 13:49

Not too sure about this but I think that if you could do one more hour pwk you'd get tax credits.

Suggest you go to Entitledto.com for quick info.

Original poster
virago · 09/12/2009 13:52

Dh will do child care, that's not a problem, but it will still cost me maybe £10 a week for the bus. I would like some adult contact that doesn't revolve around dc's, and it's in a knitting shop, so i'd be doing my hobby for a living!!But will I just be working for the fun of it, rather than for financial reward?

OP posts:
mumblechum · 09/12/2009 13:58

There's nothing wrong with doing that Virago, it'd look much better on your CV than a long spell out of work.

Original poster
virago · 09/12/2009 14:06

That's what I was thinking, it's been over 4 years now so it's quite a big gap, and it's a job i would love to do, but I can't afford to be worse off. I'm worried about Community Charge benefit as well.

OP posts:
mumblechum · 09/12/2009 14:07

Have you checked out EntitledTo.com?

tellmewhy · 09/12/2009 14:08

virago you would have 70 taken from your JSA each week.So your DH would have 30 per week althought this is paid every two weeks.You can earn 10 any more is taken off.
The only other way is for you to work 16 hrs aweek.Your DH would still "sign on" but get no money from them.You would get CTC and WTC and any housing/council tax benefit you get at the moment.

tellmewhy · 09/12/2009 14:10

Reading that back i'm not sure if you will understand it.
If you earn 80 then JSA will take 70 away from benefit.You are allowed the first 10.

mollythetortoise · 09/12/2009 14:13

yes IMO it is always worth working for social/self esteem reasons even if the financial reasons are not overwhelming.

It might lead to a much better job in the future, you'll make new friends/contacts, it will look good on your CV.

Plus you have sorted childcare with your dp at home - an enviable position from most working women's POV.

I say go for it.

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