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 After six months looking for work I had a chance to prove what I could do - through a Work Trial. My Jobcentre found me work with an employer who was happy to see what I could do. Once I got a foot in the door I knew I could show them.  |
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- If you are 25 or over and have been out of work for six months or more, you may be eligible to apply for a Work Trial. You must be either directly or indirectly receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance or signing on for national insurance credits. Indirect receipt of benefit happens if your partner claims benefit on your behalf. You can also apply if you are receiving Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance.
- If you are aged 18-24, you can be offered a Work Trial if you are on the New Deal and the District Manager decides to make Work Trials available.
- You do not have to wait six months before being eligible to apply if you are a New Deal for Lone Parents participant, disabled, an ex-offender, if you are a former member of the armed services or if you are returning to the job market after a gap of two years.
A work trial can last up to 15 days. The job must be fulltime and permanent and likely to last for at least six months. An employer will guarantee to consider you for permanent employment if you prove suitable however, the employer and you can terminate the trial at any time. Your benefit will not suffer if you or the employer decides not to continue with the trial.
If you are interviewed and offered a job at the end of the work trial but decide not to accept it, you will not suffer a benefit penalty. If you are not offered a job, Jobcentre Plus can ask the employer for written feedback on your performance. Information given in the feedback may be used by your personal adviser when considering how you should continue your search for work.
During a Work Trial you will:
- Get the chance to try out a job for up to 15 working days and show an employer that you are the right person to fill it;
- Continue to receive any benefits you are entitled to (eg Jobseeker's Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Income Support)
- Be paid travel expenses of up to £10 per day and meal expenses of up to £3.00 per day.
Find out more about Work Trials:
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/Programmesandservices/Worktrial/index.html |
