If you are a single parent and you’re claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, you may be enrolled on to one of Jobcentre Plus’s schemes which are aimed at helping people who are currently unemployed move into work.

Please note: if you are a foster parent, full-time carer, pregnant, or thinking of working fewer than 16 hours a week the rules may be different, so contact your local Jobcentre for advice.

Moving Into Work schemes

Jobcentre Plus offers different schemes to support parents with the transition into paid work. Some are voluntary but some are compulsory, and you could have your benefits stopped (‘sanction’) if you refuse to attend. Before you commit to joining one of the voluntary schemes, make sure you understand the potential sanctions that might occur if you fail to fully participate in the scheme.

Whilst you’re claiming jobseeker’s allowance, you must be available for and actively seeking work. As such, you can be referred to any of the schemes to help increase your chances of finding paid work.

If you are claiming employment and support allowance, you will need to show that you’re taking part in work-related activity, once your youngest child reaches 3 years of age. You won’t necessarily be expected to start work, but you will be expected to take certain steps to improve your chances of finding paid work once your employment and support allowance ends.

 

Voluntary schemes

Work clubs: these are a great place to meet other individuals looking for jobs, share information and skills, make useful contacts and receive support. Services at the work club will vary from place to place but might include writing a CV, visiting different workplaces or receiving advice on interview techniques. They are normally run by independent organisations, rather than by Jobcentre Plus, e.g. a local community college. Ask you Jobcentre Plus adviser to refer you to a local club.

Enterprise clubs: these clubs are aimed at helping support individuals make the transition from being unemployed to self-employed. Run by independent organisations, e.g. a community business or college, the services they offer will vary but might include guidance from local businesspeople, support with writing a business plan or financial and legal advice.

New enterprise allowance: this is a great option if you’re thinking of setting up your own business. The scheme provides business mentoring, including advice and support from a local businessperson, and financial support, including a loan of up to £1,000 to cover start-up costs, and a weekly allowance of £65 for the first 13 weeks of the scheme, then £33 for 13 weeks thereafter.

Please note, if you decide to join this scheme, you will be expected to fully participate and if you fail to do so you may receive a sanction on your benefit. If you’ve been referred to the compulsory ‘Work Programme’ you will not be able to join this scheme.

Work together: this scheme is designed to help you find a voluntary work placement in your local area. If you’re claiming jobseeker’s allowance you will be required to continue to sign on and actively look for paid work.

Work experience: aimed at individuals aged 16-24 who are claiming jobseeker’s allowance, this scheme provides individuals with a work experience placement lasting between 2 and 8 weeks. You will work roughly 25-30 hours each week and will continue to receive jobseeker’s allowance, provided that you’re still available for, and actively seeking, paid work.

Sector-based work academies: this scheme provides training and work placements that last for up to 6 weeks and end either with an interview or support with the application process. You can receive you benefits during the scheme and may get additional help with travel and childcare costs. This scheme is only available in certain areas, so check with your local Jobcentre plus whether it is available in your local area.

Work choice for disabled parents: this scheme is designed for individuals with a disability who may need some additional support with finding paid work. You may only take part in this scheme if none of the other schemes are able to meet your needs. To qualify, you must have a recognised disability, defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. After taking part in the scheme for 6 months you will be expected to actively seek work that involves 16 hours or more each week. Support from the scheme may include coaching in particular areas or tasks, support with preparing you for work, or working with an employer to adapt tasks so that you are able to carry them out.

 

Compulsory schemes

Work Programme

This scheme is run by private organisations and can last up to two years (or until you find paid work). Activities and support include help with writing your CV, improving your interview technique, confidence building and work experience.

If you are claiming jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance the Jobcentre may refer you to this scheme, in which case participation is compulsory. Referrals to this scheme are normally made for individuals over the age of 25 who have been claiming jobseeker’s allowance for 12 months, however you may be referred if you are aged 18-24.

Failure to attend as required may result in your benefit being reduced or stopped altogether.

Skills Conditionality

This scheme provides certain training for individuals who need to boost their skills in order to find paid work. Training might be in English, maths or IT. Additionally, a career adviser may be available to help you write a personal action plan for looking for paid work.

You must be referred to this scheme by your local Jobcentre Plus or your Work Programme adviser. If you are enrolled on this scheme your attendance and participation is compulsory. If you fail to take part as required, your benefit can be stopped.

Whist you are taking part in this scheme your benefit will continue and you should also receive payment for any travel and childcare costs. You may also still claim jobseeker’s allowance, provided that you’re available for, and actively seeking, paid work.

Help To Work

If you have been through the Work Programme but have still failed to find paid work, you may be referred to this scheme. It will be up to your work coach at your Jobcentre Plus to refer you to this scheme, and they may decide that you may need to go to the jobcentre every day, or accept intensive support from Jobcentre Plus. Your work coach will discuss with you the areas you need to improve on to increase your chances of finding work, then arrange support as necessary.

Once your work coach has decided on the best course of action, your participation is compulsory, and failure to take part without a good reason may result in your benefit being stopped.

 

 

 

 

Jobcentre Plus Scheme	Eligibility	Compulsory or Voluntary?	Sanctions?
Work clubs	Anyone who is unemployed.	Voluntary	No
New enterprise allowance	Anyone claiming jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance, income support or universal credit.	Voluntary	Yes
Work together	Anyone who is unemployed and looking for work.	Voluntary	No
Work experience	Anyone aged 16 to 24 and claiming jobseeker’s allowance. Your work coach can also suggest work experience if you are over 24.	Voluntary	Yes
Sector-based workacademies	Anyone over 18 and claiming jobseeker’s allowance, or claiming employment and support allowance and in the work-related activity group.	Voluntary	Yes
Work choice(for disabled parents)	Eligibility criteria apply, but you do not need to be claiming benefits.	Voluntary	No
Skills conditionality	Anyone claiming jobseeker’s allowance, or employment and support allowance and are in the work-related activity group.	Compulsory	Yes
Help to Work	Those who have completed the Work Programme.	Compulsory	Yes
Work Programme	Anyone claiming jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance or income support.	Both	Yes

 

Sanctions

Your benefit may be reduced or stopped, known as a sanction, in the following circumstances:

• If you fail to attend a compulsory scheme as instructed
• If you refuse to take part in a compulsory scheme
• If you commit to a voluntary scheme and fail to participate as agreed

 

Financial help

If you find a paid job and start working 16 hours or more each week, you may be entitled to extra financial help, including the following:

Working tax credit or universal credit: this is income based and can also include help with childcare costs.

Housing benefit: if you were claiming benefits for the 26 weeks prior to getting your job you may be able to apply for an additional 4 weeks of housing benefit or help with mortgage interest. Depending on the income you will be earning in your new job, you may still be able to claim housing benefit or universal credit.

Flexible support fund: this helps with costs like travel or buying suitable clothes for work. Your Jobcentre adviser will be able to give you more information about whether you might be able to apply for it.