For those in employment this is the time of the year when the tax credit applictions arrive on the doorstep. Often the figures are incorrect and the expectancy to repay is tough on many The money can be payed on a staggered basis if overpayment is made

Sanctions and sanction levels

Jobseeker's Allowance and sanctions

Jobcentre Plus can sanction you for some kinds of misconduct, for example if you fail to take part in the Work Programme. A sanction normally means Jobcentre Plus stops your JSA for a certain period, although in some cases they can reduce it instead. In most cases, Jobcentre Plus cannot sanction you if you have a good reason for your behaviour.

In Northern Ireland, there are different rules about sanctions. For more information, see Jobseeker's Allowance and sanctions in Northern Ireland.

Sanctions normally lasts for a fixed period of 4, 13, or 26 weeks, or 3 years, depending on your misconduct. It also depends on whether it is the first, second or third time you behaved in that way.

There are three different types of sanctions:

Lower level sanctions - normally last 4 or 13 weeks. Jobcentre Plus will usually impose this sanction if you:

• fail to take part in an interview
• in some cases, fail to provide information
• refuse or fail to carry out a jobseeker's direction, but only if the direction was reasonable, taking your circumstances into account
• in most cases, fail to take part in a work for your benefit scheme such as the Work Programme. However, if you fail to take part in the Mandatory Work Activity scheme, Jobcentre Plus will impose a higher level sanction on you instead
• are guilty of some kinds of misconduct on employment schemes and training programmes.

Intermediate level sanctions - also normally last 4 or 13 weeks. Jobcentre Plus will usually impose this sanction on you for not being available for work or not actively seek work.

Higher level sanctions - normally last 13 or 26 weeks or 3 years. Jobcentre Plus will usually impose this sanction for:

• misconduct to do with work, for example, leaving your job voluntarily
• misconduct to do with job vacancies, for example, refusing to apply for a job that Jobcentre Plus have pointed out to you
• failing to take part in the Mandatory Work Activity scheme.

If you are 16 or 17, there are special rules about when Jobcentre Plus can sanction you.

For more information about work for your benefit schemes in England, Wales and Scotland, including the Work Programme, see Government employment schemes.

If your Jobseeker's Allowance is stopped because of a sanction, you may be able to apply for a hardship payment (see under Hardship payments and Jobseeker's Allowance)

job applications - How to find a job -follow ups and calls

The telephone calls and the thought process

Worth thinking about

check the series out







Often forgotten as the majority of people don't.

Job Hunting Tips For Teenagers and Young Adults

Youth face the challenge

Web sites recruitment video

Interesting selection of links and views

job-search-support.com
lets support the Youth now and look after U.K 's future

Youth U employment-isnt it time to act. and provide support??

AN UNEMPLOYED gardener took his own life after he became worn down by Job Centre visits.

Martin Hadfield, 20, is said to have refused benefits while he desperately searched for work since he was made redundant in April last year. But despite applying for around 40 jobs in the space of three months, he failed to get any response for almost every application. The rejections have been blamed on employers choosing less-skilled and cheaper workers and Martin increasingly felt disillusioned about his future.Just 24 hours after a Job Centre meeting, he was found by his flatmate hanged in their home in Tottington, Greater Manchester. An inquest today confirmed the cause of his death as suicide.His stepfather Peter O’Gorman said today: “Martin was the kind of guy who was industrious but too proud to tell us if anything was wrong. On the day he died his mum gave him some money for the bus home and instead he walked the 5 miles home and saved it for something important. That was the kind of boy he was, hardworking and with so much potential.”His mother Annie, a former prison officer, put Martin’s death down to “a tragic moment of madness” as he was not able to discuss his problems.

Martin left school with GCSEs and achieved NVQ qualifications as well as working as a car valet and a landscape gardener. He found it difficult to adjust to life without working and earning his own money.

Peter said: “Martin was heartbroken by it and heartbroken every time he walked passed the gardens he used to tend and see them in disrepair. He took such pride in his work. He wasn’t fussy, he would have taken anything just to be working and on the employment ladder. But I have heard from so many people that the job centre experience is very demoralising. The bureaucracy is ridiculous.”

Peter added: “Martin never claimed any money or benefits in his life as parents we could help him out until he got on his feet. He got nothing off the government and was proud not to. He hated the idea of going to the job centre because he had heard what so many other his age had said. Many people go in with a sense of self-worth – they really do want a job – but come out feeling demoralised and putdown.”

I am looking at how a chat option and tel number can be provided to support the Unemployed. Would you support me??

Labour market statistics. The real figures in U.K

Introduction of Universal Credit

The Claimant Count estimates do not yet include claimants of Universal Credit. ONS is working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to include jobseeker Universal Credit claims in the Claimant Count statistics as soon as possible.

This is a key statement when looking at the figures featured
Note that this is based on the Job Seeker Allowance figures not Universal Credit figures

Labour Market figures 2014

The latest figures look good but there is a concern remaining about the 0 hrs contract.
The use of the Food Banks continue to remain high. Take note also that JSA is the highlighted benefit and not Universal Credit. Thus figures may be higher if those on Universal Credit are included