Maria
2010-11-23 10:41:16 UTC
Following discussions a month or so ago, I advised my friend who is on
the sick but could work part-time, to apply to the scheme that pays for
some training to help you off benefits. He had had an interview to see
if there was any work he could do, and he agreed that (being unskilled),
security work might suit because much of it is part-time and he would be
able to cope with that.
The security company offered him work if he could get the training and
SIA badge - he approached the benefits people to arrange these things,
and they said they would only pay if it was to lead to a permanent job
and the employer would confirm this by letter. They also said they would
not pay for the badge, only the training, so he told them he wou because
he would not go ahead because he would not be able to pay for the badge
and the employer would not pay for it. His benefits were stopped
immediately, and he had no idea why - he has not even received a letter.
He has been phoning the benefits people to try and find out what's going
on for weeks - they promised to send a letter explaining, but said it
was in connection with the training thing.
That was 4 weeks ago - today finally they told him they have stopped his
benefits because he refused training - he was on the phone to them in
the Jobcentre and they just kept saying 'but you turned down training,
but you turned down training' - he just kept repeating that the training
would not lead to the job because he could not afford the badge part,
and they said 'but at least you'd have the training'. He ended up almost
smashing the Jobcentre up - why? Because they have been giving him 33
quid a fortnight emergency payment. That is what he is supposed to live
on. Nobody in the Jobcentre attempted to throw him out - most people
seemed to be on his side. These benefits people are THICK.
And 33 quid every two weeks? That's to pay for food to 'protect your
health'. 2 quid a day for food protects your health? Not to mention what
happens if you have prepay meters.
He still has no benefits and has to live on 33 quid a fortnight - I have
no idea if they have stopped his HB or CTB.
Just thought I'd let you know, since so many of you
1) don't seem to believe just how little people are expected to live on, and
2) *why* people are wary of attempting any move off of long-term benefits.
I can't wait to see how the thick-arsed benefits agency people are going
to deal with the many people they think are deliberately refusing
work/training or whatever. Maybe they should sack their staff and employ
some unemployed people, who seem to understand life better than those
wedged firmly behind their desks.
the sick but could work part-time, to apply to the scheme that pays for
some training to help you off benefits. He had had an interview to see
if there was any work he could do, and he agreed that (being unskilled),
security work might suit because much of it is part-time and he would be
able to cope with that.
The security company offered him work if he could get the training and
SIA badge - he approached the benefits people to arrange these things,
and they said they would only pay if it was to lead to a permanent job
and the employer would confirm this by letter. They also said they would
not pay for the badge, only the training, so he told them he wou because
he would not go ahead because he would not be able to pay for the badge
and the employer would not pay for it. His benefits were stopped
immediately, and he had no idea why - he has not even received a letter.
He has been phoning the benefits people to try and find out what's going
on for weeks - they promised to send a letter explaining, but said it
was in connection with the training thing.
That was 4 weeks ago - today finally they told him they have stopped his
benefits because he refused training - he was on the phone to them in
the Jobcentre and they just kept saying 'but you turned down training,
but you turned down training' - he just kept repeating that the training
would not lead to the job because he could not afford the badge part,
and they said 'but at least you'd have the training'. He ended up almost
smashing the Jobcentre up - why? Because they have been giving him 33
quid a fortnight emergency payment. That is what he is supposed to live
on. Nobody in the Jobcentre attempted to throw him out - most people
seemed to be on his side. These benefits people are THICK.
And 33 quid every two weeks? That's to pay for food to 'protect your
health'. 2 quid a day for food protects your health? Not to mention what
happens if you have prepay meters.
He still has no benefits and has to live on 33 quid a fortnight - I have
no idea if they have stopped his HB or CTB.
Just thought I'd let you know, since so many of you
1) don't seem to believe just how little people are expected to live on, and
2) *why* people are wary of attempting any move off of long-term benefits.
I can't wait to see how the thick-arsed benefits agency people are going
to deal with the many people they think are deliberately refusing
work/training or whatever. Maybe they should sack their staff and employ
some unemployed people, who seem to understand life better than those
wedged firmly behind their desks.