Claiming Jobseekers

[flyingsausage]

The way the system is set up is for the long term unemployed,the short term unemployed like myself are the ones that lose out the most.
Anytime I have to sign on I'm asking about going on some electrical courses that will get me back to work quicker,and every time I ask it is like hitting my head of a brick wall.
According to them I have to be unemployed for a certain length of time to qualify for being sent on a course,or getting a written letter from an employer saying they will employ me if I have done a certain course and have the ticket for it(not much chance of that happening)

My point is you have to sit on the dole for a few months at least before you can get any help from them.

My other point is the way is benefits system is set up in certain cases people would be stupid to take a job as they would be a lot worse off that sitting in the house all day.

We do need decent jobs that pay a decent wage that you can live off and have some prospects or long term employment.But they seem to be dying a death with the rise off the agencies.

 

[Johnuk]

yea the benefits system sucks, people down the road from me has 4 kids and laughing, they have a 52 smart tv 2 cars, and never worked a day in thee life, they least go on 2 hoildays a year to lol

 

[Octopus]

Life on benefits should be something that becomes more financially painful over time, meaning that your level of payments gets cut every 6 months, so that sooner or later work wil pay.

 

[alarm man]

Life on benefits should be something that becomes more financially painful over time, meaning that your level of payments gets cut every 6 months, so that sooner or later work wil pay.

agree,its there to help people out not to be lived on,id like to see it tweaked so if a man say in his 30's/40's who always worked suddenly finds himself out of work,happening to much these days,the system should pay his mortgage say for a minimum of 12 months,help with bills etc,not to the extent of sky or the like but utility bills/food bills etc,because you know he will be looking for a job,i cant see the point of turfing people out their homes splitting up families etc as it just adds to the problem,but its the banks who will do just that,then sell off the house at a knock down price(and leave the owners in more debt) to some greedy property developer(vulture) who sells it on for a profit and so the spiral of greed continues..

 

[Octopus]

agree,its there to help people out not to be lived on,id like to see it tweaked so if a man say in his 30's/40's who always worked suddenly finds himself out of work,happening to much these days,the system should pay his mortgage say for a minimum of 12 months,help with bills etc,not to the extent of sky or the like but utility bills/food bills etc,because you know he will be looking for a job,i cant see the point of turfing people out their homes splitting up families etc as it just adds to the problem,but its the banks who will do just that,then sell off the house at a knock down price(and leave the owners in more debt) to some greedy property developer(vulture) who sells it on for a profit and so the spiral of greed continues..

Agree in principle, but most people don't address their mortgage until its too late. If you apporach your mortgage company and ask them to put you on interest free for a year, they are most likely to agree and the monthly payments drop like a stone (in the case of repayment mortgages). This will save you money and help you adpat to the situation.

I'll only believe the UK is in recession when I see Sky announcing a drop in subscribers, which to date, hasn't happened. £50.00 month is a luxury we can't afford so how can people out of work possibly afford it???????

 

[alarm man]

Agree in principle, but most people don't address their mortgage until its too late. If you apporach your mortgage company and ask them to put you on interest free for a year, they are most likely to agree and the monthly payments drop like a stone (in the case of repayment mortgages). This will save you money and help you adpat to the situation.

I'll only believe the UK is in recession when I see Sky announcing a drop in subscribers, which to date, hasn't happened. £50.00 month is a luxury we can't afford so how can people out of work possibly afford it???????

id prefer if the banks were forced to accept no payments if out of work for a set amount of time,say 1 year and just add it to the remainder of the term without penalties,after all they have contributed to this mess the most,something needs to happen soon because too many people are losing their homes through no fault of their own

 

[alarm man]

So labour has made absolutely no contribution to the benefit culture in the uk? That seems to be what you are implying.....
What newspapers have you been reading?

id say no they havent if you mean they give people benefits to get a vote,as you have implied,if you mean the fact they created the nhs and benefit system then they could be responsible,in a strange way..

 

[thekingiam]

i recon if all the women in the country would stay at home in the kitchen and bedroom then their would be enough jobs in the country for all the men. they started all this unemployment problem.

if they wanted to do some work we could get rid of all those expensive gadgets they have, like washing machinesand dishwashers.

 

[Dave 85]

id say no they havent if you mean they give people benefits to get a vote,as you have implied,if you mean the fact they created the nhs and benefit system then they could be responsible,in a strange way..

So the fact that they happened to be in government during the period in which the benefits culture appeared, and they took absolutely no measures to prevent it has nothing to do with it then. Exactly the same would have happened under the tories I suppose?

Personally I think a guy in his 40's who suddenly loses his job does not necesarily deserve to have his mortgage paid for him. Personally I have always gone to great lengths to live well within my means. If I was to break my leg tomorrow I could happily keep paying my bills and living expenses for at least 6 months without working. I see it as my responsiblility to look after myself, not the governments. I do not liberally p*** every penny I earn up the wall safe in the knowledge that if it all goes wrong I can let the taxpayer look after me.

Too many people these days are completely irresponsibe with money. They have big families that they cant afford to pay for, people on large salaries will still spend every penny and stack the credit card out too, then when they get made redundant the taxpayer has to foot the bill.
I understand that for some people, saving money really is not possible and they need to be looked after if out of work, but I have to say that modern day Britains attitude to money is discusting

 

[alarm man]

but I have to say that modern day Britains attitude is discusting

isnt it just..

 

[trev]

i recon if all the women in the country would stay at home in the kitchen and bedroom then their would be enough jobs in the country for all the men. they started all this unemployment problem.

if they wanted to do some work we could get rid of all those expensive gadgets they have, like washing machinesand dishwashers.

Hopefully that was posted tongue in cheek mate. There are female members of this very forum, best get your tin hat on bonny lad

 

[Adam W]

So the fact that they happened to be in government during the period in which the benefits culture appeared, and they took absolutely no measures to prevent it has nothing to do with it then. Exactly the same would have happened under the tories I suppose?

Personally I think a guy in his 40's who suddenly loses his job does not necesarily deserve to have his mortgage paid for him. Personally I have always gone to great lengths to live well within my means. If I was to break my leg tomorrow I could happily keep paying my bills and living expenses for at least 6 months without working. I see it as my responsiblility to look after myself, not the governments. I do not liberally p*** every penny I earn up the wall safe in the knowledge that if it all goes wrong I can let the taxpayer look after me.

Too many people these days are completely irresponsibe with money. They have big families that they cant afford to pay for, people on large salaries will still spend every penny and stack the credit card out too, then when they get made redundant the taxpayer has to foot the bill.
I understand that for some people, saving money really is not possible and they need to be looked after if out of work, but I have to say that modern day Britains attitude to money is discusting

The benefits system seems to have been set up to discourage people from being responsible with money though - you scrimp and save and live within your means paying taxes and abiding by the law, then one day when you lose your job you don't get anything because you've had the foresight to save for a rainy day, and you've made the effort to make yourself employable.
On the other hand the system will bend over backwards for someone who spent their school days disrupting lessons for those who wanted to learn, would rather produce unloved, uncared for kids for increased benefits instead of go out to work for a living, doesn't care about breaking the law and a criminal record affecting their job prospects because they're not going to be getting a job anyway, and squander all their benefits money on booze smokes and sky tv, living a hand to mouth existence funded entirely by the taxpayer.
Take the case of the woman who lived in a shed, didn't smoke, drink or go out, and managed to save up £22k from her benefits for her retirement, then the government decided she didn't 'need' it so took it all back off her and then some. Why would it be the government's place to tell someone to spend all their money there and then instead of being responsible and saving it for later?

 

[alarm man]

well if your hero thatcher didnt destroy the north maybe we could have saved some money,instead we all live on the dole with 50 inch tv's smoking and drinking all day,its strange all the stereotypes of the north come from the south...

 

[trev]

Just to get this back on topic, Dillb you seem like a bloody good bloke and I hope you get yourself sorted out soon, don't be too proud or ashamed to take a bit out of a system that you've probably paid a boatload into.
Good luck mate

 

[Adam W]

well if your hero thatcher didnt destroy the north maybe we could have saved some money,instead we all live on the dole with 50 inch tv's smoking and drinking all day,its strange all the stereotypes of the north come from the south...

:nopity:

 

[alarm man]

The benefits system seems to have been set up to discourage people from being responsible with money though - you scrimp and save and live within your means paying taxes and abiding by the law, then one day when you lose your job you don't get anything because you've had the foresight to save for a rainy day, and you've made the effort to make yourself employable.
On the other hand the system will bend over backwards for someone who spent their school days disrupting lessons for those who wanted to learn, would rather produce unloved, uncared for kids for increased benefits instead of go out to work for a living, doesn't care about breaking the law and a criminal record affecting their job prospects because they're not going to be getting a job anyway, and squander all their benefits money on booze smokes and sky tv, living a hand to mouth existence funded entirely by the taxpayer.
Take the case of the woman who lived in a shed, didn't smoke, drink or go out, and managed to save up £22k from her benefits for her retirement, then the government decided she didn't 'need' it so took it all back off her and then some. Why would it be the government's place to tell someone to spend all their money there and then instead of being responsible and saving it for later?

she saved her benefits for a nest egg,and got caught by trying to claim more,and this is your beacon of light....while the same people you call for spending benefits are scum..you need help man..

 

[Plonker 3]

Cheers Trev, having read most of the posts on here, it seems alot of resentment to people who sign on.

Now I know I don't have to justify why but feel maybe I can get a point across. I am 35 years old, worked full time since I left school at 16 and paid all my taxes. I have been self employed since the beginning of the year. I have joined a scheme paid my insurances. My van remains taxed and insured at all times.

I have had a reasonable amount of work come in too survive, but recently it seems to have dried up. Now looking on this forum it is not just me having this problem.

But there comes a time when you don't have money but the bills and rent still need paying every month, my partner only works part time, but is looking for another job or full time work but can't get anything.

Now unlike some people who seem to have a reasonable amount of money saved up and don't see a need to do it, I am not in a privileged position to be able to do that. Although I have waited as long as possible before actually doing it in the hope work would come in. Now the strange thing is I have priced 3 jobs up in the 4 days although not heard of I have any of them yet.

The system is there to help folk when in need, now I know opinions divide on this but when i have paid my dues surely I am entitled to take from a pot that I have contributed too for the last 19 years?

 

[alarm man]

Cheers Trev, having read most of the posts on here, it seems alot of resentment to people who sign on.

Now I know I don't have to justify why but feel maybe I can get a point across. I am 35 years old, worked full time since I left school at 16 and paid all my taxes. I have been self employed since the beginning of the year. I have joined a scheme paid my insurances. My van remains taxed and insured at all times.

I have had a reasonable amount of work come in too survive, but recently it seems to have dried up. Now looking on this forum it is not just me having this problem.

But there comes a time when you don't have money but the bills and rent still need paying every month, my partner only works part time, but is looking for another job or full time work but can't get anything.

Now unlike some people who seem to have a reasonable amount of money saved up and don't see a need to do it, I am not in a privileged position to be able to do that. Although I have waited as long as possible before actually doing it in the hope work would come in. Now the strange thing is I have priced 3 jobs up in the 4 days although not heard of I have any of them yet.

The system is there to help folk when in need, now I know opinions divide on this but when i have paid my dues surely I am entitled to take from a pot that I have contributed too for the last 19 years?

you are,you paid in you should get any help you need

 

[trev]

surely I am entitled to take from a pot that I have contributed too for the last 19 years?

Bloody right you are mate. I've had times when I've had to do it over the years and yes it's awful, embarrassing and demeaning having to justify your existence to a civil servant but sometimes you have to do stuff you hate doing.
I'd never look down on a guy like you for signing on and those that would have probably been lucky enough never to have had it tough for a while.
Things will get better, they have to sooner or later.

 

[Adam W]

she saved her benefits for a nest egg,and got caught by trying to claim more,and this is your beacon of light....while the same people you call for spending benefits are scum..you need help man..

What is wrong with preparing for the future by having a nest egg? It seems quite sensible to me.

 

[Dave 85]

Cheers Trev, having read most of the posts on here, it seems alot of resentment to people who sign on.

Now I know I don't have to justify why but feel maybe I can get a point across. I am 35 years old, worked full time since I left school at 16 and paid all my taxes. I have been self employed since the beginning of the year. I have joined a scheme paid my insurances. My van remains taxed and insured at all times.

I have had a reasonable amount of work come in too survive, but recently it seems to have dried up. Now looking on this forum it is not just me having this problem.

But there comes a time when you don't have money but the bills and rent still need paying every month, my partner only works part time, but is looking for another job or full time work but can't get anything.

Now unlike some people who seem to have a reasonable amount of money saved up and don't see a need to do it, I am not in a privileged position to be able to do that. Although I have waited as long as possible before actually doing it in the hope work would come in. Now the strange thing is I have priced 3 jobs up in the 4 days although not heard of I have any of them yet.

The system is there to help folk when in need, now I know opinions divide on this but when i have paid my dues surely I am entitled to take from a pot that I have contributed too for the last 19 years?

Im not having a pop at you Dillb, you are absolutely right. Its good there is a benefits system there to help out people who are genuinley determined to work, as you are, during hard times, and of course the recession wasn't your fault, we can thank the politicians and wan.... er.... ban kers for that one. Its the scumbags who make a career out of reproducing more potential scumbags in order to fund their smoke and booze fuelled lifestyle that I take issue with, and the politicians who created them of course

 

[Plonker 3]

There are scumbags in every part of life, look at the likes of Rated people.

Look at the recent Jimmy Carr tax scandal, these sort of things happen because those that didn't do too well at University go and work for the government (yes I have done this) while those that did well find loopholes to get around it.

 

[alarm man]

What is wrong with preparing for the future by having a nest egg? It seems quite sensible to me.

you and tory boy slate the benefits system,then applaud someone who SAVES for their retirement by saving their benefits,im a gob****e but you two are quality..

 

[Dave 85]

you and tory boy slate the benefits system,then applaud someone who SAVES for their retirement by saving their benefits,im a gob****e but you two are quality..

For the first time in my life I feel inclined to agree with you.

 

[alarm man]

For the first time in my life I feel inclined to agree with you.

at least we agree on something..

 

[Geordie Spark]

There are scumbags in every part of life, look at the likes of Rated people.

Look at the recent Jimmy Carr tax scandal, these sort of things happen because those that didn't do too well at University go and work for the government (yes I have done this) while those that did well find loopholes to get around it.

Not to mention our wonderful MPs and their expenses. Even our Glorious Leader had his hand in the till !!!

 

[Guest55]

Just signed on today for the jobseekers at the dole office.
Benefits interview went great.
Claims advisor asked "What have you done this week to look for work Mr. Biff"

"Well i spend 12 hours solid arguing with plumber trolls on the electricians forum and got 5 "likes" to my posts"
Thought its probably not a good idea to ask for a £4K grant to do the HND im interested in lol.

 

[sbrown2]

DILB what happens is you build the benefits system into when you start your business. I know you are honest. But that is what the successful people might do. Part of their "SWOT" analysis. What is your major threat? having no work. How can you counteract this? With savings, loans or the benefits system.
I'm employed and my SWOT analysis has not helped me with the 2 grands worth of car repairs that have just come in!!

 

[Guest55]

Just to add , i recognised 2 other sparks in the jobcentre as well.

 

[sbrown2]

Are electricians suffering that much?

 

[Guest55]

In the northwest , yes.
Couldnt comment on other areas of the UK.

 

[Plonker 3]

How can you counteract this? With savings, loans or the benefits system.

But nobodies pot of money is bottomless is it?

Why should I take out a loan when there is a system in place that I have contributed too all my working life?

 

[sbrown2]

Agreed. Therefore, I would not promote this, but utilise the benefits system in the best way you can. Others do it. By the way Im in nottingham also is work that low in our area. Also do you do any maintenance type work?

 

[Octopus]

What is totally unacceptable is that people who claim income based job seekers allowance are treated very differently in the benefits system versus those claiming contributions based.

I thought that the benefits system was "universal" but its not.

 

[Plonker 3]

Agreed. Therefore, I would not promote this, but utilise the benefits system in the best way you can. Others do it. By the way Im in nottingham also is work that low in our area. Also do you do any maintenance type work?

Yes it seems very quiet at the moment, I have been taken on other little jobs recently to try and keep the money coming in, but obviously trying to get them over established companies is like starting anew business altogether again.

I would gladly take on maintenace work, why do you have some for me

 

[Plonker 3]

What is totally unacceptable is that people who claim income based job seekers allowance are treated very differently in the benefits system versus those claiming contributions based.

I thought that the benefits system was "universal" but its not.

It is a sad state of affairs when we can't even treat everyone the same regardless of their circumstances. Yes some people extract the urine when it comes to benfits but because of that everyone who claims seems to get tarred with the same brush.

 

[Octopus]

It is a sad state of affairs when we can't even treat everyone the same regardless of their circumstances. Yes some people extract the urine when it comes to benfits but because of that everyone who claims seems to get tarred with the same brush.

Just think of how much money they could save by simply doing away with this "simple" change.

Might just write to my MP!

As it stands, those who contibute the least get the most and those who contribute the most get the least.

 

[Des 56]

What is totally unacceptable is that people who claim income based job seekers allowance are treated very differently in the benefits system versus those claiming contributions based.

I thought that the benefits system was "universal" but its not.

What does this mean and who qualifies for each ?
I thought "on the Dole" was just one benefit


Just been told the system,its weird,it seems to be weighed in favour of the folks who have never worked

 

[Richard Burns]

If you have paid enough national insurance contributions in the past then you will qualify for NI based JSA for six months.
If you have not paid enough NI and you have no income then you qualify for income based JSA.
For the first you get no help, no free stuff, etc.
For the second everything is given to you on a plate.

 

[Geordie Spark]

If you have paid enough national insurance contributions in the past then you will qualify for NI based JSA for six months.
If you have not paid enough NI and you have no income then you qualify for income based JSA.
For the first you get no help, no free stuff, etc.
For the second everything is given to you on a plate.

One of the (many) things that gets on my t**s, is when I and other folk who have worked hard & paid our dues into the system and then fall upon hard times, go into the Jobcentre to make a claim & we're expected to know what to ask for & what we're entitled to, and when we don't, the benefits "advisor" looks at us like we're stupid.

Meanwhile, at the next desk, there's the chocolate- brown lady with her headscarf who has contributed very little - if anything - having everything explained to her to the nth degree !!!!

So much for equality !!!!

 

[Octopus]

Just been told the system,its weird,it seems to be weighed in favour of the folks who have never worked

Correct as I understand it, and then people wonder why some have no incentive to work.

 

[wade88]

I have had the good fortune so far of never needing to get inbolved in JSA - so i am curious as to what the rates are so to speak.

If i strolled down the JC tomorrow to sign on, what sort of money would i be expecting a week? Fortunately i am in full time employment as a maintenance manager and have a salary so my piece of mind is in tact thus far - but id love to know what my hard earned salary goes toward paying for all those graft dodgers out there who just lay around and soak up the "good will" of the system and the hard work that us lot do to pay for it.

Those who contribute to the system, should by deault be first in line to get a helping hand when things turn a little shi*e for them. Is that not what "national INSURANCE" is all about. If you dont contribute toward it, then pick up a local paper and start looking for work. plenty of jobs going no matter what people say, its pride that puts a stop to work.

So someone humour me please.

 

[sbrown2]

DILLB I thought there was maintenance work in Notts. Also what competent persons scheme are you on? You may want to PM me.

 

[Guest55]

If i strolled down the JC tomorrow to sign on, what sort of money would i be expecting a week?

£71 per week if your over 25.

 

[Dave 85]

£71 per week if your over 25.

What the hell are you supposed to do with £71 a week?
Half a tank of diesel, 7 tins of baked beans and a smartprice bog roll I guess

 

[Guest55]

What the hell are you supposed to do with £71 a week?
Half a tank of diesel, 7 tins of baked beans and a smartprice bog roll I guess

I know !
Im already down to 4 hookers and 2 bags of coke a week.
Cant trim back any further.
;-)

 

[Dave 85]

I know !
Im already down to 4 hookers and 2 bags of coke a week.
Cant trim back any further.
;-)

Damn them hookers must be cheap up there....Can I come stay?

 

[Guest55]

I live in Blackpool , any one can come and stay lol.
If donkey rides , candy floss or cheap hookers is your thing , we rock.
;-D

 

[flyingsausage]

As it stands, those who contibute the least get the most and those who contribute the most get the least.[/QUOTE]

Never a truer word said

 

[flyingsausage]

Cheers Trev, having read most of the posts on here, it seems alot of resentment to people who sign on.

Now I know I don't have to justify why but feel maybe I can get a point across. I am 35 years old, worked full time since I left school at 16 and paid all my taxes. I have been self employed since the beginning of the year. I have joined a scheme paid my insurances. My van remains taxed and insured at all times.

I have had a reasonable amount of work come in too survive, but recently it seems to have dried up. Now looking on this forum it is not just me having this problem.

But there comes a time when you don't have money but the bills and rent still need paying every month, my partner only works part time, but is looking for another job or full time work but can't get anything.

Now unlike some people who seem to have a reasonable amount of money saved up and don't see a need to do it, I am not in a privileged position to be able to do that. Although I have waited as long as possible before actually doing it in the hope work would come in. Now the strange thing is I have priced 3 jobs up in the 4 days although not heard of I have any of them yet.

The system is there to help folk when in need, now I know opinions divide on this but when i have paid my dues surely I am entitled to take from a pot that I have contributed too for the last 19 years?

Nobody is having a crack at you mate.
I have signed on many times last year,I did not like doing it and jumping through hoops to get buttons,but I still did it.
This thread has just wondered a bit.