Metropol

At the moment i'm a 20 year old uni student just finished 1st year starting 2nd year in october and currently off for summer, at the moment i am applying for a number of jobs and nothing has come about to date.
However seeing as i go to the Job Centre every Wednesday i am considering asking about the Jobseekers Allowance. This is not my own decision as i've discussed this with my parents and ideally they would want me to find work but they think signing on at the Job centre would be a good idea for me.
I guess i'm asking a question, would i be ok for applying for this and more to the point i am only doing this as i need money between now and october and i already pay 50 pound rent to my parents especially covering the broadband etc
any advice?

Um, can you even claim job seekers allowance if you're a student?! :roll:

well i'm not sure mate,that's why i'm asking this in the first place

Read this:

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/cms.asp ... nefits/497

Specfically:

People who are studying full-time cannot usually get JSA. For more information about how studying affects JSA and other benefits, see leaflet GL19: School-leavers and students.

The GL19 leaflet can be found here: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/gl_19.pdf

I was in the very blessed position not to be required to pay "digs" at home for many, many years.

I would like to think that if your parents understood your intention to work then they might waive the "rent" until such time as you have money coming in. But maybe they won't.

If you are able to type, spell and talk properly then go and sign on with an agency. There are lots of 'holiday cover' jobs out there to be had during the summer months, and going from job to job every two weeks means that there is always an escape if it sucks. Your tax is sorted for you and you get a decent hourly rate for an honest day's work in the office.

Not everyone has success with agencies, but my experience was good and I suggest you give it a try.

Gavin,
They do understand the situation, They are not asking for rent now just to clarify,
Also i did register with an agency this week and during the interview i got told that 'the factories were shutting down for the summer and they have not any contracts at moment'
Cheers for whoever posted the Gl19 link, i have read it though and i can't find anything that could help me, can anyone find anything on there and post the link to it please?

Dr Lobster* wrote:The GL19 leaflet can be found here: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/gl_19.pdf

...and for those of you who don't live in Northern Ireland:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/ ... 19_oct.pdf

Gavin Scott wrote: If you are able to type, spell and talk properly then go and sign on with an agency. There are lots of 'holiday cover' jobs out there to be had during the summer months, and going from job to job every two weeks means that there is always an escape if it sucks. Your tax is sorted for you and you get a decent hourly rate for an honest day's work in the office.

Not everyone has success with agencies, but my experience was good and I suggest you give it a try.

What kind of work did you do Gav?

babyben wrote:

Gavin Scott wrote: If you are able to type, spell and talk properly then go and sign on with an agency. There are lots of 'holiday cover' jobs out there to be had during the summer months, and going from job to job every two weeks means that there is always an escape if it sucks. Your tax is sorted for you and you get a decent hourly rate for an honest day's work in the office.

Not everyone has success with agencies, but my experience was good and I suggest you give it a try.

What kind of work did you do Gav?

I got work in a life insurance company office. Initially very mundane work going down lists of numbers and typing them into a computer system. In fact it was jaw droppingly dull and I found it hard to stay awake sitting amongst rows of people silently doing the same thing.

Critically though it paid about £7.00 per hour and had a plush office and a subsidised staff restaurant. Anyone who can use a keyboard could have done it.

I ended up going permanent with the company for a couple of years (in a more interesting capacity), but I could easily have moved from one job to another once I'd established myself with the agency.