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I read something on another site today in regards to Work focused interviews. If I'm reading it right I'm taking it that since my youngest child is only 3 that i will no longer be called for these interviews.
I will copy and paste what I saw so that someone here can read it and let me know if I'm correct.
The rules for lone parents were amended from November 24 2008. Lone parents whose youngest child is 12 can no longer make a new or repeat claim for Income Support. They are expected to claim Jobseekers Allowance. This rule will apply progressively to lone parents whose youngest child is 10 (from October 2010) and 7 (from October 2011).
Some lone parents are exempt from the rule.
This new rule also affects work focused interviews for lone parents. They will be required, as a condition of receiving Income Support as a lone parent to attend quarterly WFI's:
Lone parents aged under 18 do not have to attend interviews.
Please could someone confirm for me please?
A neighbour of mine has now to sign on for jobseekers, her youngest children are twins aged 12.
There is no childcare and she is being told that they are old enough to be left, something I would definitely disagree with as her son has behaviour problems.
She went to sign on this week and has been told she will recieve no income support as she has not been actively seeking work. This is making her ill, just wondered if anyone else has had the same experience?
It's a moot point, how old children have to be before they can be left on their own. Some children seem to be Ok at 10, others need to be about 16.
Your neighbour can still legitimately say she is seeking work which fits in with school hours, she only has to work 16 hours a week so she could look for a lunchtime job, for example, Monday-Friday. I am not saying she would get one! or that there are any! I am just saying that that is what she needs to tell the Job Centre and to make it clear that she is ready, willing and able to work as long as it is in school hours as her son has behavioural problems and is not able to be left alone at the moment. Perhaps she could get letters from the GP and the school to support this and she could build a case up to give her an exemption (or at least an acknowledgement that she only needs to seek work which is in school hours)
I have been trying to look for a link to help her but have not found one yet, the best bet being that book that you have yourself.
I cannot imagine leaving C on his own at age 10. He's a sensible child, but 10? God forbid there was a fire, smell of gas, the list is endless really isn't it? No way I'm afraid would I leave him on his own.
I think the age that many authorities "assume" it is Ok is 12, although there is nothing written in the statute books. What I meant was that some children would seem to be Ok at 10, not that this is a guideline! Sorry if that was unclear.
But it raises an interesting point: if it is against the law to leave a child unattended who is considered not able to look after themselves then are the Job Centre "breaking the law" by insisting that THEY think a child (any child) is old enough at 12, when they have no knowledge of that child? Double standards if you ask me!
Perhaps that needs looking into? 
Hi
What they have said to her is that she needs to show clear evidence of her seeking work and that her children are old enough to be left so we would then assume that she is not allowed to just seek term time work?
To make it even more of a worry, this lady has got a social worker!!!!!!!
This worries me for my interview next week yes my son is only 9 but there is absolutely no childcare here at all, I have looked over and over to see if there is but there is nothing, am I then going to be penalised for not actively seeking work, incedently there are no term time jobs here that fit the 16 hours that we are required to do.
I also think that for some people it is fear that keeps them silent, they go along to the job centre and do as they are told, I would love to know what percentage of single parents who end up taking an unsuitable job have previously been in a domestically violent relationship, I feel that some wont be able to stand their ground as it will trigger something with them if these advisors are abrupt to the point of bullying!
I sadly think it will take for a child to be injured or abducted whilst mum/dad is out doing an unsuitable job for anyone to take the very real concerns seriously!
My single parent adviser told me, when I asked her about no child care, that they have some soft of 'flag' that is raised on file that says there is no child care and they will look into trying to find some.
I have found a website which advertises jobs, parent-friendly employers offering flexible working and also has some useful information in an Advice and Support section. Click here to see it.
Hi
I went for my dreaded interview today!!!!!
I have to say though, the 1st thing I received wa a full and very nice apology from the guy who treated me so badly last time.
He made no excuses for himself and just said how sorry he was for the way he behaved.
I have filled all the forms in well 2 to be exact and have to go again on the 6th Dec for another interview again 40 mins long, this is with a person who fills everything in for you to sign on which for me will be the 10th Dec, apparently there is a P and an R group for signing on and as I will sign on in P week when I should be in R group I should receive one weeks money straight away. I then have to sign on again on the 24th Dec, deep joy for me that one as I only ever shop on Christmas eve!!!!!!!
What did interest me is that if I or anyone in a similar position does manage to find 16 hours work then we are still at present entitiled to the £40 per week for a year and a £250 in work bonus alongside 1 months grace on rent and council tax as long as the job last more than 5 weeks.
If your job ceased lets say at 12 weeks then you can still reclaim the 40 weeks still owed to you for the £40 per week if you can find another job if that makes sense?
Do I feel better, well certainly the apology made me feel a lot better, still doesn`t resolve any of the childcare issues for me though does it so whilst this remains I cant see me being able to find a suitable job where I need no childcare at all.
Louise I did look at the site link you put on here but they all seemed to be self employed and if what the guy told me today is correct then all of the above in work bonuses dont apply if you are self employed.
Hi tiredmum. Glad you got the apology at least. I was given the same info as you, and have to admit I did find it very confusing, but I took forms home with me to browse through. I'm not at the same stage as you yet. I haven't received letter to inform me that I'll be switched over. I was told I'd receive that about 6 weeks before it actually happened.
That's interesting, tired mum, thanks for posting that. I did not know about the £40 per week. There always used to be back to work bonus for the over 50s, but from what you are saying it sounds like there is a bonus for everyone now.
As you say, "all" you need now is to find a job where you need no childcare!!!! 
Hi Alisoncam,
Yes it is all very confusing.
You will as you say receive a letter to "invite" you in so that you can fill in the 2 forms, one is a hard copy that they send off to change you over from IS to ISA,something else I learned today that there is an income based jobseekers and a contribution based one, one pays more than the other, I did ask which I would be getting and he told me income based as its more than the contribution based one.
He also emailed my claim through to wherever it has to go so that they receive it straight away followed up by the hard copy.
The 2nd form is a letter that you take away with you, it has the date of your next appt and the time of the appt on it.
Your signing on day and week all rests with your national insurance number, couldn`t work out exactly how that works but apparently thats what its based on.
Louise, yes I did get quite excited by the bonus offers which if you can take them up will certainly help for the 1st year, not sure that it actually helps long term but thats another debate.
Also, the guy told me he had taken everything I had said on board and had made some phone calls, one to my local authority who told him that there IS provision in every single school!!!!!!!!!
They obviously haven`t visited the 3 we have here as there is nothing at all apart from a breakfast club that starts at 8.30am.
I`d love to know if anyone else is being told that there is provision when in reality you know for sure there isnt? 
It did make me quite sad really that I cant take up any job and would have to find a term time only one which simply dont exist, well they do but they are less than 16 hours
Absolutely typical, that the LA would say that when it is not true. I wonder if THAT is an area for the MP? It would need some research first so you could make a list of what is where.
I am a bit concerned that when you were told about the two different JSA benefits, that it was implied to you that one was more than the other. They are in fact exactly the same, the difference being that if you have worked a certain number of weeks in the last two years, you get Contribution Based JSA for six months, regardless of your other financial circumstances. Thus a friend of mine who was a Company Director whose company closed down, was entitled to this. After six months, you move on to Income Based JSA if you are entitled (not everyone is). However if you have not worked recently, you go straight to Income Based JSA. retaining your child tax credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit. The weekly amount for both JSAs is exactly the same as the weekly amount for Income Support for an adult. Anyone on JSA who has a dependent partner can get more, just as you can on IS if you have a partner.See here for the official website on this topic
Hi Louise
Oh yes it is typical isn`t it, the LA are really good at spinning a line I have found!!!!!!!!
Could we maybe ask everyone on here what they have in their area, not specific towns but for example mine would be Lancashire, I know it would only be tip of the iceberg but it might give a clue as to what is where etc, just a thought.
I would be quite happy to collate the info if people would be willing to participate.
He definitely told me that one og the job seekers allowance was more money than the other, not really knowing much about it all I had to just accept what he said.
There is an after school 'club' thing here in my village but it works on the assumption that you have a car to go and pick them up as they move the children to the next village half way through.
In my last work focus interview my single parent advisor told me that there is some system in place to flag situations where there is no after or pre school care and look into 'promoting' some in that area, what ever that may mean.
Both primary schools though in my village have a breakfast club, one starts at eight and the other at eight fifteen.
I don't know what it's like where you live but here there are few jobs and my work focus interview has left me feeling a little bit reassured as my advisor told me that there wouldn't be 'as' much preasure, or that they would be more lenient with single parents when it came to enforcing punitory measures against them for not finding work and I did read somewhere that job centres only resort to stopping benifits in the most extream of cases. So, so long as one makes some sort of effort to find work and document it there isnt going to be a problem, that is the feeling I was left with anyway after my interview.
But them my single parent advisor likes me as she falls into that class of oh isn't he wonderful a single dad looking after two children it must be difficult for him all on his own, blah de bah de blah, a stereotypical image I'm quite happy to play up to when it suites me : )
I took them with me last year and she was fawning away, telling me what beautiful well behaved children I had... ooh, and your on you're own, you're doing such a great job, blah de blah de blah...
I had told them that if they behaved and smiled lots I would get them CAKE!
Mwahahahah (evil laugh)
You are so wicked Bubblegum, hehe. If it works of course, then use it to your advantage
Our breakfast club starts at 8, and we have the after school clubs.
I know someone who switched to JSA last year. Her son is now 13. Never have her benefits been stopped. She has been sent on different courses, but nothing ever comes out of it. They do change her signing on times too, (I guess that's in case people have jobs, but not declaring). Has anyone else found this???
Yes I know a few people where their signing-on time has changed.
Bubblegum is right, particularly when he says "document it" That means you keep a log of your job-hunting. This can include things like each date and "Looked online at (web address). Nothing suitable today", "Bought local paper. phoned up re job X. Was told that vacancy already filled", "Went to Job Centre. Found two things of interest. No childcare for one and no public transport to the other". "Saw advert in shop window. Applied, had interview, awaiting result", "Drew up new CV and am researching list of places to call on spec".
Yes tired mum, I am sure you were told about the two different amounts, what I am saying is that is wrong, as you can see by the web page I posted. re chilcare, it would be interesting to investigate actual provision (and vacancies there!!!!) versus what the official line is......
I have read with interest the issue of the “phantom” JSA benefit rates and think perhaps we might be able to shed some light upon it.
There are two types of JSA for all jobseekers – Contribution Based (you have to have paid National Insurance over a specific period at the date of your claim) and Income Based ( means tested and for those who have not worked in the relevant period)..
Both of these are age related – there is a rate for people under 25 (£ 51.85) and over 25 (£65.45).(Rates at April 2010)
If you are an existing lone parent Income Support claimant when your child reaches the age when you are required to sign on for JSA there is a transitional period to ensure that you are not worse off by doing so. You will get the maximum rate no matter what your age.
If you are a new lone parent claimant over 25 there is no problem at all. The Job centre will decide which type of JSA you have a right to claim.
If you are a lone parent under 25 at the date of your JSA claim, the Job Centre will decide if you have an entitlement to Contribution based JSA. If you have, they will then apply the status test to ensure that you are receiving the full amount which the law says you need to live on; the shortfall will be met from Income Based JSA. If you are not entitled to Contribution based JSA then you will get Income based JSA topped up to the maximum rate.
Anyone having specific problems contact us on the One to One Advice on the Money Survival Kit.
Thankyou for that info.
Yes, thanks very much, that clears things up
I have an interview at Jobcentre on Thursday. I don't have a problem with attending, but I have a real problem with the times they insist on giving. Each time, it is for 9.20. That is very difficult with getting to school, walking back, then the bus. Every time I explain it, and normally they change the appointment. (Not a hard thing to do surely). This morning I rang them and explained again. Lady was very awkward indeed, saying, 'your child goes in at 8.45'. Not where I live, 8.55!!! Would not change the appointment, so I ended the conversation by saying, 'I'm not refusing to come, I'm just telling you, no way on earth, can I get there for that time, so I'll be at least 20mins later than the time you are giving me'.
Hi alisoncam
Yes ours go into school at 8.55am also.
I have been lucky so far in the times that they have given me, usually around the 10.30am mark.
Can you maybe call back and ask to speak to a supervisor/manager and explain to them the problem you have.
I can see this going from bad to worse for us all.
Yes, I would definitely call again. After all any job they expect anyone to take is to fit round your caring responsibilities so surely the interview should be too
This woman was clearly not bothered about me having to get C to school first. On Thursday, I shall make a huge point of stating this too. I feel tiredmum is right, this is all going to get worse!
That's awful.
Hi all, I spoke to our Parliamentary Officer the other day about having to leave our children home alone whilst we have to go to work, after reading the above message from tiredmum. She then went on to speak to a journalist, here is the article that came from it!
Single parents need clear advice on leaving children unattended
Feel free to leave a comment on the article to get your point of view across.
Hi Anna
Thank you for the link to the article, I will be commenting on it later this evening
Hi again Anna
I have decided to wait until after my 1st signing on tomorrow to comment on that article, I will no doubt have lots more to say than I already have
I look forward to reading it. Hope all goes ok today.
xx
Hi everyone,
sparklinglime, thank you for your good wishes this morning, I took that thought with me!!!!!!!!
It went much better today, different guy who was much more in tune with the real world.He doesnt think that I will find a job anytime soon, there simply arent any, he was though able to tell me the ins and outs of whats expected etc so I will share all of this with you.
You have to do 5 job searches a week, that can be online, though newspapers, calling an employer directly, you MUST evidence what you have done, I have bought a notebook to write in all of my searches as the signing on book simply isnt big enough to fit much in it.
You can do charity work, voluntary work etc but you must always inform them what you are doing, You can also work up to 16 hours a week or more precisely 15 hours and 59 mins and still be classed as available for work, this wont always mean you will receive any money but it he says does sometimes make it an easier route to other beneifts such as housing and council tax.
I had put together a cv which did list my 11 O levels and the jobs I had done in the past, I then put at the bottom that I have been a full time mum for the last number of years and he said that was fine, he couldn`t think of a way to make it sound better
One thing that has thrown me is that I wont be paid properly till Jan, cant remember exactly what he said but it was to do with the system all catching up and paying me as it should, so I am now left in the position of having signed on today, I should get paid for 5 days next Wed, then when I sign on on 24th Dec I might get paid then or I might not get paid till the 29th Dec, yes I appreciate I have child tax credit and child benefit but without my part of the money I wont be able to afforrd to do any food shopping at all, I have spent most of the afternoon trying to juggle everything but nothing works, he did say that I can apply for a crisis loan but having done that once before I vowed never to do it again, they were so nasty on the phone I simply cant face doing it again.
Not entirely sure what to do right now about food, will have to think of something.
So there you have it really, not a bad time today as the guy was nice, I guess its just really unfortunate that my signing on has fallen on Christmas so is messed up before it starts really.
I do still have very real concerns about where all this is headed, and can see huge queues forming at doctors sugeries for many single parents who become severely depressed by the new regime.
I think I have covered everythig there but if I think of anything I have missed I will add it later
Thanks for that update, tired mum. Glad the chap today was more helpful. That is interesting about the "five jobs a week" quota. Good idea to get a notebook!
Re food, your local Salvation Army may be able to help. I can't post a weblink as it is hard to get to the right place to apply; your best bet is to ring your local branch. They will probably ask that you are referred by an agency, if so, ask them which local agencies they get referrals from (as they will know what to do) They can often provide a food hamper and some gifts for people who are short of money at Christmas.
Hi tiredmum. With regard to the payment not being paid properly until Jan. I was assured that when the change over happens, it won't in anyway affect the money at all. It is totally straightforward, and you won't be without money. (their words, not mine). It is outrageous that they are telling you otherwise. I would ring the JS on Monday, and perhaps speak to a manager or something. No-one can manage without this money, and Christmas on top of everything else.
Hi Louise, alisoncam
I just kept thinking what a shame we havent got our food bank up and running, cant fail to see the irony in that really.
I wont be going to the Salvation Army but thank you for the suggestion, I will find a way, my cupboards are not too bad at the moment and I managed to get a turkey the other day at Morrisons for £8 for a 4kg so that was good.
I think it is only messed up as its Christmas and also because the day for me to be paid has changed completely so I know its probably not the case but it feels like I have been diddled as in I used to get paid on a Fri and now its changed to a Wed, I have to admit I am finding it really difficult to adjust my budget to it which really shouldn`t be the case should it?
I have just been thinking as to why I am so confused by my payments and I think it is because had they left me on fortnightly pay then I would have been due a fortnights money on Christmas day which would have meant being paid either on the Wed prior or Christmas eve, so it feels like I am going over my expected time to get paid over Christmas if that makes sense?
I was thinking today, it would be very interesting to keep a full record of this "journey" just pondering the best way to go about that, it might just help others in the future if I can show the good and bad side of all of this.
I feel quite deflated about it all if I`m honest and definitely feel financially worse off already but we will see what the next 2 weeks bring, dreading the weather turning again as that will hit really hard if it goes as cold as it did the last couple of weeks.
Yes it would be interesting to keep a journal, tiredmum. On paper you have the same amount of money but if you are used to a regular payment day/system and that changes then it throws everything out of kilter.
Hi Louise
Yes I know, it just seems quite unfair that some of us will be left without money over Christmas, I`m sure I wont be the only one
I know you said you could not face the crisis loan application but surely it is ridiculous for this to happen over Christmas, I think it is worth phoning on Monday, as alisoncam suggests
Hi Louise
Have you ever had to apply for one? They ask you the same qusetions over and over and make you feel like you are taking their own personal money, I also feel they wont give me one anyway as they will say I have child tax credit and child benefit if you see what I mean x
Hi Anna,
I really wanted to comment on the article directly but you have to register to the site and you have to have a job title and company name, little dissapointed in that as those of us who really should be commenting cant do so.If there is a way round this can you please let me know, I am very keen to have my say
I have thought of one very simple thing that would make the transistion so much easier, keep the day you get paid the same, I am very good at budgeting but this is defeating me right now and it is all for changing the day on which I am to be paid, I do understand it is to do with National Insurance numbers but surely there could be a way of making all the benefits use the same method, therefore when you stop receiving one and move to another for whatever reason it is simplified, maybe its just to simple for the powers that be to see?
Hello tired mum
No, I have never applied for a crisis loan, but I can empathise, having applied for various things for other people and for myself once being accused of lying when I was applying for what was then Working Families Tax Credit and being told I would get no benefit and the sheer panic of how I was going to support my two boys without it. I also went into the benefits enquiry office when I was about to go on a course about disability benefits (had been told to get a DLA pack). I was horrified by the way that some of the staff were speaking to the people in the queue. When I got to the front I was greeted with the same surly nod but when I explained why I was there, he suddenly became very helpful. I was too shocked to say anything and afterwards I wished I had. Bit more assertive these days!
I see what you mean about commenting on the article, I have just had a look.
I agree that a change of day for payments really can wreak havoc.
I'm glad this chap was helpful though.
Hi everyone
Hope you are all ok today.
Well this gets more interesting by the day, had a letter in the dreaded brown envelope this morning, it tells me that I am entitiled to £65.45 per week js from the 4th Dec, they are still going to deduct my water which is fab but no mention of social fund loans. If I am right then I "should" receive 10 days js on Wed and "should" be entitiled to be paid on Christmas eve, but my head hurts from thinking about it right now, sos I am going to try not too for today!!!!!!
Fingers crossed...
Ha Ha yes, think it will be a miracle if it actually works the way it should xx
'tis Christmas 
Let's hope it will all go Ok.....
Hi this is quite long but need some advice!!
Ive got an appt tomorrow morning at j.c for jobseekers...am dreading it...
I was working at a childrens home for autistic teens since last august..I went off sick in July this year with depression and stress, and kept going back to the drs..
One day, in an act of desperation as was feeling so low, I emailed the company resigning as I didnt know what else to do.
Finally I returned to the drs but saw a differnt dr, demanded a blood test, and came back with underactive thyroid..but told to come back in 8 weeks!! I explained I was suffering all the symptoms now but she looked at me said 'to be honest you dont look like someone who is depresssed' Ive been on anti depressant medication for years btw.
I then had a meeting with HR and my manager and cried the whole way through it, could not think straight and was in quite a state. Explained about health situation, that couldnt cope with the physical violence, that they are constantly understaffed and often we are putting ourselves and the children in danger. They seemed quite confused what to do and I probably said a few things that I shouldnt have re the care and what goes on etc..they said they would ask dr for medical records ( i signed consent) and came away...
So after 5 weeks and me gradually feeling worse I returned (to my former dr) who confirmed yes it is hyperthyroidism and started me on medication right away! I explained about my work situation and he was very good and took lot of time with me and ultimately Id decided to go back and stick it out till find something else.This was the day after work meeting.
A week later I received a letter from HR informing me that they had accepted my resignation.
Ive been feeling so unwell that Ive just relied on my last payment from work and applied last week as I am struggling to pay my gas and electric bill. I want to work and have been for countless interviews the last few months...am desperate to get out there again as its doing me no good at all sitting at home. A friend recently started a college course and going to do a teaching course, I sat there feeling so envious as would love to do a course and retrain.
Sorry so long folks, thought id better explain situation.
Just hope I can talk tomorrow morning as my throat is so sore!
speedbird x
Hi speedbird
I cant give you any advice on your particular problem.
If you do have any doctors letters etc I would take them with you and show them to the person that you see at the jobcentre.
I can though wish you luck for tomorrow, it is as you might have read in my previous posts a bit of a lottery as to who you get and how they are with you.
I did read in another board that you were feeling unwell, do hope that you soon recover, its that time of year isnt it?
I do hope that tomorrow goes well for you
Hi speedbird. Please don't worry about the JS interview. I know it's easier said than done. Just explain to whoever you see all that you've said here. The main thing for you to concentrate on now is the money side of things, and benefits that you're entitled too. This should be explained to you tomorrow. If you're unwell, you're also well within your rights to cancel the appointment, and it shouldn't affect money side of things. It is best to get it out of the way though, but thought I should that in case you are too poorly.
I can't give you a 100% answer, petal4, as I gather my information from the same sources as you i.e. the press and the media, and spend time each day reading and researching to keep abreast of changes. The article you quote seems to say that you will not have to attend until your youngest is six. If you feel you want it from the horse's mouth then check with the Job Centre.