JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE

[modeste]

Having recently been made redundant I claimed JSA. I have been told by my local Jbcentre that I have to attend weekly instead of fortnightly until I have an interview with an advisor.

The last time I went I expected to be given the usual treatment, only to be told to sign my form. What a waste of my time, their time and taxpayers money as I can claim my travel expenses on the middle week.

Is there anything that I can do to avoid the weekly trip? I have approached my local Jobcentre, only to be told that "It's a new initiative"!

Thanks in advance

[cheekygirlcarol]

Unfortunately not. I have been unemployed a while but when the Tories came in to power someone decided that newly unemployed people must sign on once a week over a period of time.
I have done something similair you where I had to sign on once a week and I only went in to sign a piece of paper and back out the door and it was a complete waste of time where they could be employing staff to do something more worthwhile.
They will stop your money if you dont turn up. They are giving people sanctions for anything and everything so I would stick at it even though its a waste of time.

[buildersmate]

Perhaps think of it as your paymaster (for the time being) wishing to assist you in getting back to work. The hourly rate for your time spent is not to be sniffed at.
It can also be a useful opportunity to visit libraries and other reference places to assist in your job-hunt - that is what some people use it for.

[tonywiltshire]

As has been said you have to attend weekly if that is what they require, it may also get worse/better as they may require you to attend courses, designed to help find you employment.