Job Seeker’s Allowance – what a farce!
Discussion
The OH got made redundant last September so she signed-on for Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA). The whole process was a complete farce that required three interviews and all of the associated travel and expense. She got a new job in late October and was able to sign-off but unfortunately that want tits-up at the end of January (which is a story in itself) so she’s now back in the laborious process of signing-on again. They didn’t keep her details from last time so she has to go through the whole farce again. Now she’s been told that, because we’re having a long weekend in Amsterdam in mid-March, she’ll have to sign-off before we go and sign-on again when we get back as she can’t receive JSA while out of the country and they don’t have a mechanism for reducing the payment to reflect a period of being ineligible for payments during a continuous claiming period. So, she’ll have the whole farce to go through a third time when we get back. Do these government organizations simply have far too much time on their hands, such that they can take three interviews doing what could be achieved in one interview, and repeating a process which only need happen once if it was all managed competently? I’m utterly gobsmacked by the incompetence and timewasting perpetrated by this particular branch of the public sector.
Sounds about right. I was made redundant in late 2009. We went away to family for a week (as we do every Christmas) and I had to sign off, then back on and not claim for the week. Thankfully found employment early on in 2010.
Seem to recall being told you have to work for two years before you can claim JSA again..?
Seem to recall being told you have to work for two years before you can claim JSA again..?
Podie said:
Seem to recall being told you have to work for two years before you can claim JSA again..?
She was there this morning and apparently she can claim.Targarama said:
Long weekend? Don't tell them. Unless it clashes with a signon day?
It clashed with a future appointment there so she had to mention it.I wonder what the Job Centre would say if she had a job interview overseas? There are plenty of good jobs that would suit her in the Amsterdam area. A company in Lisse is actually chasing her to have an interview which is why we booked a short break there, to see if we could fancy the move.
Sounds about right.
I signed on after Uni. I managed to lose my job before it even started and by then all the other grad schemes were full up! So I was out on my own. Decided to sign on while I job hunted.
Signed on in Middlesbrough, but then moved back down to Loughborough as my chances of getting the job I wanted was higher. Just transfer me from centre to centre right? wrong. Despite it appearing as one, it seems they aren't. They don't have access to other branches data apparently. So yep, go, through the painful process of signing off, then re-signing on. Go to the stupid seminar/presentations they do ( which honestly are about the right level if you are dumb as a rock).
Then I had a holiday. This was booked and paid for long in advance. It was either go or don't go an lose the 300 it cost. So I went. Same s
t, have to sign off because they can't cope for you being out of the country for 5 days. When I came back, I just didn't bother with it. I'd rather not have the money than go through all that bullst for the nth time.
Just as well I did a worthwhile degree and landed a good job shortly after anyway. If I did basket weaving, I may of had o reconsider.
I signed on after Uni. I managed to lose my job before it even started and by then all the other grad schemes were full up! So I was out on my own. Decided to sign on while I job hunted.
Signed on in Middlesbrough, but then moved back down to Loughborough as my chances of getting the job I wanted was higher. Just transfer me from centre to centre right? wrong. Despite it appearing as one, it seems they aren't. They don't have access to other branches data apparently. So yep, go, through the painful process of signing off, then re-signing on. Go to the stupid seminar/presentations they do ( which honestly are about the right level if you are dumb as a rock).
Then I had a holiday. This was booked and paid for long in advance. It was either go or don't go an lose the 300 it cost. So I went. Same s
t, have to sign off because they can't cope for you being out of the country for 5 days. When I came back, I just didn't bother with it. I'd rather not have the money than go through all that bullst for the nth time.Just as well I did a worthwhile degree and landed a good job shortly after anyway. If I did basket weaving, I may of had o reconsider.
Targarama said:
I wonder what the Job Centre would say if she had a job interview overseas? There are plenty of good jobs that would suit her in the Amsterdam area. A company in Lisse is actually chasing her to have an interview which is why we booked a short break there, to see if we could fancy the move.
If you attend an interview overseas, although you are available for and actively seeking work, you'll receive no benefit because, job opportunity or no, you've left the UK.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff