Benefits and help when looking for work :Cross Stitch – Money, tax and benefits

If you’re unemployed and available for work, you may be able to get Jobseeker’s Allowance and other benefits. Jobcentre Plus may also give you help and support to look for a job. Find out more, including how to get benefit advice.

Use the online benefits adviser to get an estimate of the benefits you may get. You can also find out how a change in your circumstances may affect your benefits. A change in your circumstances includes starting work or increasing your hours of work.

To find out about Jobseeker’s Allowance, who can get it and how to claim online go to Jobseeker’s Allowance.

When you claim Jobseeker’s Allowance, you’ll need to attend an interview at the Jobcentre to identify how you can improve your chances of finding work. This is called a ‘new jobseeker interview’.

A Jobcentre Plus adviser will agree with you what you need to do to improve your chances of finding work. They will also tell you about the help that may be available to you, like:

  • access to specialist help for things like writing a CV, preparation for interviews, confidence building and work skills
  • help to look for work if you haven’t had experience of looking for a job for some time
  • help with reading, maths or with your English
  • information about improving your skills to suit the type of jobs available locally

This support depends on your circumstances and what’s available in your area. At the new jobseeker interview, the Jobcentre Plus adviser will agree with you:

  • what you need to do to find work
  • changes you might need to make to improve your chances of success
  • any additional help you may need

This is recorded on your Jobseeker’s Agreement.

Your Jobseeker’s Agreement is a record of what you and your adviser agreed during your new jobseeker interview. This includes what you need to do, so that you continue to receive your benefit.

If you are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance you will need to show what you have been doing to look for work.

The Jobsearch Diary (ES4JP) is a useful tool to record the steps you have taken to look for work. You can download a copy of the ES4JP using the following link.

So that you get the help you need to improve your chances of finding work, you may be invited to attend additional adviser interviews.

At these interviews the adviser will review previous agreements and discuss further actions to help improve your chances of finding work. They will also tell you about any extra support you may be able to get. This may include the following:

Additional adviser support

To help you in your jobsearch an adviser may decide to spend extra time on a one to one basis with you.

Voluntary work experience

This is for anyone aged 16 to 24 who is getting Jobseeker’s Allowance. It gives you the opportunity to take part in a work placement with a real employer. It could be helpful if you have little or no recent work experience.

When you return to work, some of your benefits will carry on for a short while. You may be able to get other benefits and support once you’re working. See ‘Benefits and help when going back to work’ to find out more.