Jobseekers allowance

[Floofydawg]

Has anyone applied for this recently. How bad is the process and do they force you to apply for jobs which are not relevent to your experience? Have just been made redundant and wondering whether I should apply for it.

Yes, you have to essentially apply for any job. You can’t be picky about what you might want to do or would prefer if claiming as you’d be sanctioned if you failed to apply for a job you’re told about or if you decline a job offer because you don’t fancy that role.

It’s not really set up for people who have a career and want to stay in a particular job or role type, it’s money to tide you over until you get ANY job available.

Ugh, sounds like a pain.

It’s not a pain if you need the money until you are earning again, it tides you over while you apply/interview etc. That’s the purpose of it. But it’s not there to provide money while you wait for the perfect job, if that’s what you’re wanting to use it for then yeah it would be a pain and not for you.

I have signed up recently. It's good to have some cash flow.

I have had 2 meetings. Work coach has been supportive. She doesn't understand/ want to understand what roles I have been doing but is only interested in knowing 2 things -

1. Did I apply to any roles (doesn't matter number of roles)
2. If I've had any interviews and the feedback.

I would say go for it. And then if you feel you can't comply with their requirements you can tell them to close your claim.

Claim it, because if nothing else you will get NI credits towards your state pension.

Proof of at least 35 hours a week applying and searching for jobs.
I've been doing it for a week and uploading CV to every role/job as well as covering letter etc where requested.
Nothing.
Supply agencies apologetic that they have no work.
To be fair I've got no teeth in the front of my mouth which is due to various symptoms of PTSD (( fully diagnosed and medicated).

You are expected to apply for multiple jobs a week. They give you some leniency the first couple of weeks to sort out your cv and look at options, also if you held a more senior position they encourage you to seek out specialist agencies, headhunters etc. if you are interested in changing careers eg becoming self employed they can help you with this too. You should apply as it pays your ni stamp too, but you need to expect to use the time you would be working to job hunt

I thought you got a bit of time to apply for something in your field

I was given 90 days to find something in my field and then I would have had to apply for anything. I didn't need that long though. Also once I secured 20 hours they were happy not to see me again.

Ok thankyou.

35 hours pw spent applying for jobs? Seems excessive.

I've been looking for jobs since March but haven't found anything.

I've been out of work since July but only signed up for JSA in October.

I was at a mid senior role before. My work coach hasn't given me a deadline though as such @Doggymummar - could you give more context?

I think if you say you were studying for an interview that may be considered. Or, you may have to say that CV revisions and applications take a lot longer than expected. I only did 2 applications one week and the rest of the time I was studying because my interviews are very technical.

I am claiming JSA. The problem is job agencies and potential employers are not pulling their weight and responding to your applications. The thing is if you contact them and ask why haven't you responded to my application yet, that is rude of you. I said no to retail, even I have done 17 years of it at my last job as I left it due to MH reasons.

I am going for my first sign on meeting tomorrow. I hate going there as I can select 6 people whose combined IQ score is less than mine

@Floofydawg Your 35 hours can include free online courses, doing psychometric tests, researching company if they are listed on listing, going on how to improve interview techniques websites/YT videos.

Sorry, I'm still fixating on the 35 hours. How do you even prove how much time you're spending looking for work? (I didn't even work 35 hours when I was working - I was part time).

There is no way to check 35 hours. Also that’s for full time work. I read somewhere that Labour are wanting to scrap this as many people search online these days which reduces time taken. I think it would revert back to 6 positive steps per week like it was in 2007 when I last applied for JSA.

My advice is download job search websites like Indeed and you can show whoever at JC you deal with your application history.

Have my sign on late morning and hate the humiliation of being at the JC with having more qualifications and experience than 6 people combined.

I hate going there as I can select 6 people whose combined IQ score is less than mine

Nice

It does beg the question as to why people with less knowledge of your industry are there to advise you how to get a new job though.

I claimed from mid-August to 3 weeks ago, had one interview at the job centre which lasted about 5 mins. Said I had applied to about 100 roles. They said fair enough and never asked to see me again!!!

My temp role finishes just before Xmas so I might claim again over xmas before starting another role in Jan.

Do it just to keep your NI payments up to date. Remember they are not going to help you get a job. They are just there to police the benefits system. However you should get a bit of leeway for a while as you work out what is available

So why are we importing folks when there are no jobs?

What would the alternative be?
Also, they’re not there to help you get a job in your industry, they’re there to find you any job.

I've been claiming in for the last couple of months due to being made redundant. I've found it all straightforward. Start a new job next week which I found independently. I was proactive in job hunting but definitely don't think I spent 35 hours a week on it! Had a telephone call once a fortnight with them and had updates to provide each time - just the stages of my applications / any completed or pending interviews / feedback etc and where I was planning to look next. Not found the conversations challenging or difficult in the slightest, they've been supportive and helpful and I think as long as you have something tangible to report back on they're more inclined to leave you to your own devices. Go for it OP.

Well i have just had the same experience ,absolutely no help whatsoever, given a piece of paper printed of the government website with jobs that have closed the application date. My coach was not even interested what job i want and what i can do, very rude and just wanted to get rid of me. Would love to know how she got a job there as i know loads of unemployed people who would do her job way better.

Thanks @blackfriday1 and @roycroppersshopper (love that name!) So the interviews are on the phone?

I don't have a problem with giving

Because we have a shortage of qualified workers in many areas such as healthcare. When Brenda loses her job as a receptionist the job centre are not going to send her into the ICU unit at the local hospital.