Job Seekers..?

PixieHope. · 02-11-2010, 03:28 PM

Hi, I just need some advice :)

I currently volunteer four days a week in two schools (two days each) and an afternoon helping with children reading. I'm applying at the minute to uni to do my PGCE Primary to start Sept 2011.

Will I qualify for job seekers even though I volunteer so much and don't have time to actually get a job?

I'd rather volunteer and have no money in order for my application to look good for the PGCE then do something unrelated and probably not get anywhere with the PGCE application.

Heidi Tiger · 02-11-2010, 04:42 PM

It depends how honest with them you are. If you have no intention of getting a job between now and 2011 then by claiming jobseekers allowance you would be committing fraud. If however you continued volunteering but were willing to give up that if you got a job, then you would be entitled to it if you are a single person or have a partner who works less than 16 hours a week.

Sleepless123 · 05-11-2010, 01:49 AM

Yes i am just starting the process of hopefully getting JSA though.

i understand about the money and you seem in a really hard situation but i would be very careful if you dont really have an interest in getting a job though.

i have been made aware you have to sign a declaration every two weeks on job seekers to say you have been applying for work and also have to take a written log with you to the jobcentre each time of which paid jobs youve applied for that week and to discuss vacancies with the advisors there [which if you are asked by the jobcentre to apply for you are not supposed to not do and i was told benefit can be effected if this happens, dont know if this is true or not as only trying to start to claim].

Good luck.Have you looked at other financial options?

xx

Breeze · 05-11-2010, 11:57 AM

As the school stuff is obviously in school hours how about looking for an evening job?
Also it could be same as parents doing hours that suit school hours.
Maybe email or pop into the job centre and ask them how best to go about it.
But I think evening work would suit. Depends on how much you want to work as eve work is likely to be cleaning, shop work bar work etc.