Signing-on
As I was wise enough to quit my job and have since been unable to get a new one, possibly owing to my lacklustre application technique coupled with the current economic climate. I have made a claim for job seekers allowance, just in case I don’t win the lotto and things don’t magically work out. This is my first time ever applying for benefit and I have no real idea about how the system works. I am not sure how eligible I am for any benefit (I quit) and I have some savings. I have an appointment to go in this week and I need to bring copies of my bank statements (current and savings). What happens? How much money is ok to have in the bank? It is enough that I am not terribly worried about ending up on the street, just yet anyway. Any advice?
*EDIT* am in the UK
(LittleRock is planning her next meal, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 13:46, 14 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Allowance
... virtually no money, I think the total in savings is £6000 (or it was when I was last on t'dole) or it might be £600...

Do yourself a favour ... any money you have, withdraw it, give it to your mum, then when the benefits people ask where all your money went say you used it to pay off a drug debt. They won't be able to prove it and you'll get benefits.

Then lovely mum can dish out your dosh as and when you require.
(hangableautobulb is an anagram of the best album ever, on, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 13:56, Reply)

crap
I am really bad at being dishonest - I have already 'fessed up to having money. Damn. I could blow it by the appointment - or maybe transfer it into another account and not own up to that. Really need to be more cunning.
(LittleRock is planning her next meal, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 13:59, Reply)

No advice specifically on the savings thing
But do be prepared to wait up to twelve weeks for your first payment.

Having a historical record of savings which mysteriously disappear before your interview is frowned upon.

Let them decide whether you've got enough money saved up to live on. If you have, you shouldn't be eligible and that's the way it is. If not, bring on the benefit.

It's a pittance anyway. If you're at all worried about your housing situation, make sure you apply for housing and council tax benefits too. You should be able to do this in tandem with your JSA application.

/experienced unfortunately

Edit: if you need to be cunning to obtain benefit, you don't deserve it. Not judging you specifically, just a pov.

Double edit: You could try the JSA web site for more in-depth info. If you'd prefer to do it properly, make an appointment with the Citizens Advice Bureau who might be able to means-test you on the spot.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 14:14, Reply)

Agreed...
Yeah No3L, I know you are right about that, am not in any way dishonest about stuff like that. I have, however, been paying a substantial amount of tax for years to the Gov. so I do think that I deserve something back at some stage.
I am not at risk of losing my home or not being able to afford food, I have enough to keep me going for the next few months (drummed into me by my Mum!). I guess I will find out when I go in, or maybe I will have an interview/job before then.

I just really have no idea at all what to expect, I have never been in this situation before...exciting times...
(LittleRock is planning her next meal, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 15:21, Reply)

check with CAB aswell
a quick breakdown is :
over £6000: no benefits, no jobseekers allowance, no rebates
£6000- $3000. some benefits on a sliding scale, no rebates
£3000 - 800 . most benefits, jobseekers allowance, and council tax and housing benefits but on a sliding scale. the interest on your capitol counts as income.
less than £800 - doesnt matter.

The last time I signed on, (3 years ago) most of the staff were a lot more helpful than they used to be, and would help you and not trick you into disclosing "naughties"

Definately seek advice at CAB or other welfare advice center.

Good luck jobseeker.
(bugboybeast, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 15:29, Reply)

Expect
To see a mix of genuine people facing hard times and weasel-faced chav cunts on the make.

To answer a lot of personal questions about your finances, work situation and availability for work, by a person who is unlikely to love their job and will likely have been worn down to bare flesh depending on what time of day you meet.

To come out of the meeting wishing you'd kept your job, or had the option of another one.

As said above, expect to wait some time for your first payment.

Above all, despite the surroundings and the people you'll be mixing with, I recommend trying to be positive, polite and happy during your interview. It'll go a long way and you might just make someone's day :)

Let me know if I'm close after your interview :)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 15:31, Reply)

Thanks!
@ bugboybeast - thanks dude, I looked on the site but couldn't find anything help - having an idea of the figures definitely helps! Will look for my local CAB too.

@No3L - I'll keep you posted, hopefully I will get a job before anything happens. Applied for several today...fingers and toes crossed and typing with a pointy thing!
(LittleRock is planning her next meal, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 15:54, Reply)

Good luck to ya.
Work is the way forward :)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 16:17, Reply)

depressing really
I was thinking more along the lines of lady of leisure, or even crack-whore...but the daily grind is probably where I am heading
(LittleRock is planning her next meal, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 17:24, Reply)

Just going through the same process myself.
All BugBoyBeasts and No3Ls advice is quite right. Especially having to wait ages for the first payment to come through.

Also don't make the mistake I made and tell them you're going on holiday even if its for a couple of days. They cancel your allowance and you have to re-apply, which takes ages. Secondly put as much info as you can in your job seeking diary thing no matter how trivial. I'd done lots to find a job but left out stuff I didn't think was relevant enough and my advisor gave me a hard time.

Good luck!
(Errorist, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 17:35, Reply)

to you too Errorist
am going to do the lotto on Wed, best chance I think. There is probably a club to be joined half the country are going to be out of work soon.
(LittleRock is planning her next meal, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 17:42, Reply)

ha
Stupid fecking JSA. Make sure they assess you for the right type, I had my phone interview and was told all was marvellous and I was eligible for one type and then they assessed me for the other type so well over a month on, I still haven't received any money.

It's a crappy situation but a lot of people are in similar circumstances at the moment. It's pretty clear who in the Job Centre are looking for work and who are there taking the piss.

Good luck!
(Lucy Van Pelt embracing ginlovers, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 20:34, Reply)

@Lucy
So true!

While I sit waiting for my appointment I play a game where I sort the piss takers from the from the from the people who just want to get a job and never ever go back to the JSA.

Its actually quite a crap game because its so easy to spot whos who!
(Errorist, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 21:21, Reply)

@ Lucy and Errorist
seeing as they are not going to give me any money, the upside is definitely the possibility of having live Jeremy Kyle style entertainment. I am starting to look forward to this, am still doing the lotto tomorrow though!
Luck to us all I reckon.
(LittleRock is planning her next meal, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 23:04, Reply)