Benefits and You

Job Seekers' Allowance and Childcare

Sally C — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:03:16 +0000

Hi everyone

The Government has announced changes which will mean that advisors (for example your personal advisor at the Jobcentre) must take greater account of the well-being of your children when they talk to you about going back to work. For example, advisors should be considering the availability of suitable childcare in your area when discussing your return to work.

Moving from Income Support to Job Seekers' Allowance

Sally C — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:26:47 +0000

Hi Everyone, my name is Sally C, and I'll be online as much as poss to discuss the recent changes made to benefits for single parents. Before I start posting topics however, I wanted to explain what the changes are, just in case you're not sure of what's happening:

Read 'A straightforward guide to sanctions' and give us your feedback!

Anna — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:58:14 +0000

Hi all

The Department of Work and Pensions has produced "A straightforward guide to sanctions" for jobseekers. The DWP have a new communications team and have asked a group of charities including us here at One Space for their feedback on the guide.

So please give it a read and share your comments below, we look forward to reading your thoughts.

Universal Jobsmatch

SPAN Parliamentary Officer — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:54:54 +0000

The Employment Minister Esther McVey said in Parliament yesterday that she thought that Universal Jobsmatch "continues to remain accessible and dynamic for jobseekers" and "delivers a sucessful transformation in the way benefit claimants look for work".

What is your experience of Universal Jobsmatch? How do find navigating the site and looking for jobs? How could it be improved? Also let us know if the site has helped you find a job.

claiming jointly

jennifer28 — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 22:15:10 +0000

Hi it's s wee bit of advice I am looking for I claim child benefit child tax credits. And esa for depression I have a.little girl who is 2 problem is her dad has moved in with me and we need to claim joint claim he is on my tenancy we sorted that out last week. I.just don't know how.it's going to.affect money wise he gets esa.too he.has a lung.condition copd can you help? X

after the work programme

aphy — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:57:15 +0000

after the work programme

so once you finish work programme and go back to jcp you are expected to sign on daily . holidays dragging your kids there every day isbhardly fair on them.

what are the flexibilities if any for single parents.

jcp and new job

aphy — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:28:40 +0000

i have been offered a job it starts sept. Do i have to tell jcp now. Cause when she asked me if i had heard back from the interview i panicked and said no. O hate jcp get so stressful just going there

Pregnancy and income support

inglesita — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 11:13:04 +0000

Hi, I'm currently have a joint claim for income based job seekers allowance with my partner and am due to change to income support in a couple of weeks when i reach 29 weeks pregnancy. I've since been advised that I should remain on JSA so that my partner can continue to receive "assistance" from the job centre in looking for work, whilst I will be exempt from having to sign on every 2 weeks.

My question is: is this really the best thing for me or is this the best thing for the job centre?

community work program

tracey 40 — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 09:49:30 +0000

Has anyone started the forced to work for your benefits scheme ive done a induction been made to start friday morning with jobsearch where im been chaperoned by someone who is alot younger than me we are standing in the middle of town handing out my cv to anyone passing need to know what to do if my child is ill he is 10years old im been forced to get a childminder through the summer holidays which they pay for (thats what i was told} can they force you to get a child minder, need some advice desperately , can't face another sanction, but my child comes first

Help - not entitled to any benefits

Jobiwan — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:49:07 +0000

Hi all,

I'm looking for someone to turn as I am at the end of my road. I had to give up my job as my 13 year old is experiencing some severe anxiety/depression issues and I have to be here to help him go to school (this has been going on for almost four years) and I've been juggling it the best I can. I had to give up a recent temporary contract due to having to be here each morning.

Prepare for work after youngest turns 12 months old

SPAN Parliamentary Officer — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 13:47:04 +0000

The benefits system gets tougher still from today

The new system will mean that once your youngest child is over 12 months old you can be made to or face a financial sanction to attend the Jobcentre more frequently.

In addition once your child reaches 3 years of age you can also be instructed to carry out Work Related Activity such as training or work experience by your Adviser.

Zero Hours Contracts - You cannot be made to apply

SPAN Parliamentary Officer — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:17:55 +0000

The Government have announced this week that jobseekers refusing or leaving a zero hours contract will not be sanctioned. This is positive news.

Here is the announcement.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm140402/text...

Do let us know if this is not your experience and you are made to apply for such work. I can then take up with Politicians.

Laura

JSA help

vikz112 — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 15:51:21 +0000

Hi everybody this is behalf of my sister she doesn’t use the internet much! My sister is a single mum to three girls, 11yrs, 10yrs and 5 yrs the youngest has started school and she has to claim JSA now. She has been out of work for a long time and suffered Post traumatic stress due to the severe violence of her ex partner one of the children’s dad. She has just got back into work only working 10 hours per week, as a catering assistant in a school.

Being sanctioned for caring for my poorly child?

jamie-loo — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 09:45:02 +0000

Hi, Im new here but in a total flap, Im on the work programme and on one particular day my 7 year old was off ill from school which was the same day as a work programme interview, i rang my advisor in plenty of time and she gave me another apt, yesterday i received a good reason letter which said that the day after he was off ill i signed and made no mention of having to look after my son the day before (I didnt know i had to) and now theyre asking if i was available to take a job opportunity, if i put no because obv my child was ill im going to be be sanctioned but if i lie and say yes i w

esa sanction

ronnie0305 — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 19:18:50 +0000