Advice on Job Seekers Allowance

DezUk

DezUk

DezUk

Associate
Joined
20 Sep 2003
Posts
2,384
Location
Scotland
I am looking for some advice on my current situation. I was made redundant in July and have been claiming JSA in Scotland since. I have been to 3 or 4 interviews but have been un-successful. So I am now thinking of starting up my own self employed business based around IT consultancy along with contract Business Analyst work.

The thing is I don't know if there is much of a market in my local area or if I will be busy enough to cover my needs. So the advice I am looking for is what to say to the job centre. I am worried that I mention the idea of going it alone they will cut my allowance and it will be difficult. I was wondering if anyone else has had experience of this and how to go about moving away from JSA and starting your own business?

Thanks
 
Why would you start up a company if you don't know what the demand for your services is? Have you spoken to your bank? How will you finance a start up? The JSA is probably the least of your worries.
 
Its not a full blown company, its just a way of making enough cash to get by and sustain a suitable level of living. Just me working myself and no premises to outlay etc, nothing big so I don't need any bank loans etc.

Just enough to pay my bills and life basically but I don;t want to loose my JSA while I figure out if its achievable or not.
 
DezUk said:
Its not a full blown company, its just a way of making enough cash to get by and sustain a suitable level of living. Just me working myself and no premises to outlay etc, nothing big so I don't need any bank loans etc.

Just enough to pay my bills and life basically but I don;t want to loose my JSA while I figure out if its achievable or not.
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you won't as long as you apply for jobs and show evidence.
 
I'm sure they can "advise" you on setting up your own company, but id research feasibility of it "quietly" for a while before signing off and telling them that its a go.
 
Unfortunately, for every one person doing it properly, there are 20 kids doing IT consultancy from their back bedroom who will work for less than minimum wage. You really need to target businesses, especially small ones who can't afford a full time IT person and work for them on a monthly contract. Get 5 or 6 of these and you will be away.

Its important to tell the JSA and seek advice as they can put you in touch with schemes eager to throw money at you.
 
mejinks said:
Its important to tell the JSA and seek advice as they can put you in touch with schemes eager to throw money at you.
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Job Centre isn't for advice, it's for collecting benefits. They will probably laugh at OP.

As said, do it on the side while looking for employment, if it succeeds it succeeds. Job centre doesn't want to know about your personal life, they just want to know you're applying to jobs.
 
If your business is viable and able to provide you with enough money to support yourself off benefits then it should qualify.
 
Keep your mouth shut and go for it!!! ;)

If it works then tell the dole you are setting up your own business and see if you qualify for benefits!!! They pay x amount for x amount weeks while you set up, or you might even be able to get a start up grant!! :)

Just go for it and say nothing for now!!! Once you start earning 4k+ then get onto them and say you just setting up!!! :p

Good luck to you!!!! ;)
 
Help you can get
Finance

You could get:

a loan to help with start up costs
a weekly allowance up to £1,274 paid over 26 weeks

The loan has to be paid back, the allowance does not.

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Does that allowance read you could get over a grand a week for 26 weeks?
 
Problem with the job center - they are in no way flexible and will simply cut your benefits as a knee jerk reaction (or try to). They are simply there to manage unemployment not help people get back into work.

You'll need a pretty solid business plan and good prospects for most of the schemes to take more than one look at you.
 
fendi said:
Help you can get
Finance

You could get:

a loan to help with start up costs
a weekly allowance up to £1,274 paid over 26 weeks

The loan has to be paid back, the allowance does not.

-------------

Does that allowance read you could get over a grand a week for 26 weeks?
Click to expand...


No.

"a weekly allowance up to £1,274 paid over 26 weeks"

Means 1274 divided by 26, this equals maximum of £49 per week for 26 weeks. Keep in mind 1274 is the maximum pot. Could be £30 a week for all you know.

Which is less than JSA which is about £60 a week afaik, and since you will stop looking for work you will automatically forfeit your JSA, so LOL.

OP don't tell em anything, just keep looking for work, and do what you must on the side. That scheme is just another load of BS like the Work Programme.
 
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