Jobcentre Plus and financial support

The centre offers a personal work coach who helps you with the CV, applications and interviews, job search tools on Find a job, and programmes such as the Sector-based Work Academy Programme, short training with a guaranteed interview, and the Restart Scheme for those who have spent a long time without work, and guidance services for the disabled, and support for starting self-employed work (New Enterprise Allowance), and also English courses (ESOL) via partners.

• The centre charges you no money.
• You can visit the centre or call it or use your online account.
• And if you do not speak English well ask for an interpreter.
• You can get advice even if you do not qualify for UC. And for workers wishing to change jobs the National Careers Service offers consultations.

You may qualify for UC if you are unemployed or on a low income, aged 18 or over and under pension age, resident in Britain, and have savings under 16 thousand pounds.

• The amount includes a basic element and additions for housing (rent), children (usually up to two children), disability and care.
• It depends on income: a part of every pound you earn is deducted from UC (about 55 pence).
• But the right depends on your status: those holding a work, study or family visa are usually subject to NRPF so are not entitled.
• As for refugees, holders of humanitarian protection, and some with settled status or pre-settled status under conditions, and those who obtained permanent residence, they are entitled.
• Check your visa's conditions before applying since a mistake may expose you to problems, and consult a registered adviser.
• And some NRPF holders may be exempted from the condition by a change of conditions request.

Create an account on GOV.UK and enter your data (identity, address, bank account, rent, income and savings).

• You will be asked for a first interview with the work coach at a centre or by phone within a week or two, and you bring the original documents: your ID, proof of residence, a bank account, the rental contract, payslips and the National Insurance number.
• You usually wait five weeks for the first payment, and you can request an advance payment if you need money at once, repaid later.
• Log in daily to your online journal to communicate with the coach and confirm your commitments.
• UC is paid monthly to your account, and rent may be paid directly to the landlord when needed.
• If the amount is wrong request a mandatory reconsideration within a month then an appeal.

You sign a claimant commitment that sets out what you will do to look for work: number of hours a week, applying for jobs, attending appointments, and recording your activity.

• If you do not comply a sanction, that is a deduction from the amount for a period, may be applied.
• Report any change: income, savings, address, family status or travel.
• And if you travel more than four weeks UC may stop.
• And do not give wrong information or hide income, since that is considered fraud and is punished by fines, sentences and removal.
• And if you are ill or have special circumstances (caring for a young child, or a disability) ask for adjusted conditions or an exemption.
• And you can object to a sanction via mandatory reconsideration.
• And keep a record of your job search and medical certificates.
• And if you have a mental health problem tell your coach.

There are other benefits: Child Benefit for families with children (requires lawful residence and entitlement), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for the disabled, Attendance Allowance for the elderly with needs, Pension Credit for the elderly on low income, and Carer's Allowance for one caring for a person.

• And eligibility is determined by immigration status.
• And if you are denied benefits because of NRPF you may have help from the council for children (Section 17) or food banks (such as Trussell) or charities.
• And Citizens Advice offers free help in submitting applications, and legal advice if you have a complex immigration status.
• Avoid violations and fraud (intermediaries promising you benefits for a fee), since applying is free on GOV.UK.

What is Universal Credit?