Young Wrexham

Benefits

If you contact a Jobcentre Plus office to find work and to find out if you can claim certain benefits depending on your age and circumstances, you will be requested to be interviewed by a personal adviser.

If you’re looking for work, but unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week, you might be able to claim Universal Credit which will start to replace Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) as of April 2013.

The main differences between Universal Credit and JSA are:

• Whereas JSA was a fortnightly payment, Universal Credit is a monthly payment so you will need to budget carefully
• Universal Credit is paid into an account of your choice so you need a bank account, building society account or credit union account
• Universal Credit will be one payment, so if you need help with your rent this will be included instead of being a separate housing benefit payment to your landlord. You will need to pay your landlord directly

If you are 16 or 17 years old you might be able to get income based Universal Credit for a short time. This depends your personal situation, for example if you live away from your parents, you are responsible for a child or if you would find it very difficult to live with without benefit.

To find out if you qualify for Universal Credit you can check online or visit your local job centre and meet with an advisor.

It can take a while for your claim to be processed so it is a good idea to contact the Jobcentre as soon as you are unemployed to find out if you are entitled to any financial support. This is really important if you have rent and bills to pay, or have children.

While you wait for a decision you can apply for a Discretionary Assistance payment to help you. This was previously known as a hardship payment. You will find more information in our Money section.

Making a new or repeat claim for benefit

• You can ring Jobcentre Plus to make a benefit claim. Phone: 0800 055 6688
• Text phone: 0800 023 4888 if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech difficulties
• Calls are free from a landline. Charges may apply when calling from a mobile phone, but Jobcentre Plus will arrange to call you back if you ask
• Phone lines are open from 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday
• You can also claim online: https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/jsaol/lp

Jobseekers Agreement

Your personal advisor will help draw up a jobseeker’s agreement which lists the steps you should take to find work. This will include the types of jobs and how many you will apply for etc.

• Your advisor will meet with you after 13 weeks to go through your jobseeker's agreement and discuss your progress
• It is important to attend this interview as your Universal Credit could be stopped or reduced if you fail to attend
• Your personal advisor might help you to widen your job search, put you in touch with employers or suggest certain schemes that you should take part in