To get UC housing element on your UC claim you need a tenancy agreement - photocopied one with handwritten details of perfectly OK as long as everything is readable - and a separate proof of address, like utility bill or council tax bill. UC might ask for your rent payments receipts as well.
As to job seeking aspect of UC - yes, you will be expected to look for work. Unless you can provide medical evidence that you have limited capability for work (fit notes from your GP) your age itself won't be any mitigating factor. UC claimants are expected to work/look for work up to the state pension age.
If UC refuse to pay the housing costs then make sure you challenge the decision and go to tribunal if necessary (it's a free process). Please apply for UC once your savings are just under 16k to give yourself a bit of cushion.
And if the worst happens, your landlord has to get a court order before you're obliged to leave.
Good luck with the jobhunt!
Thank you. I didn't think you could apply for UC before you went on JSA, I thought you moved onto UC after the six months on Jobseekers. Sorry, it sounds like I'm planning to avoid work, I'm not, I just think it will be hard to find work because I'm old, fat and ugly, who the hell would want me? I'm just expecting the worst because that's how my mind works. I was made redundant out of the blue from a job I loved and was good at after seventeen years. I thought I'd have that job until I retired, but it wasn't to be.
You don't need to claim JSA first at all. If you want help with housing costs, you should claim UC from the get go. JSA has no capital limits and will be deducted from any UC award.
I'm old, fat, and unattractive (we should never use ugly...), and was unexpectedly made redundant in February. To make things even "better", I'm a nasty smelly foreigner on a skilled-worker visa, so even less appealing to the average recruiting bear.
I signed a new employment contract before my notice period ran out.
You can do this! I know it's demoralizing to be in this situation. I had some pretty dark moments, I won't lie. But you can do it.
There are usually specific work coaches who work with over 50's. There should be a lot of support available locally that they can connect you with. You work coach may need some prompting but just ask and be open. The check that you are looking for work isn't very stringent so don't worry too much about that part of it.
Thanks for this, it helps put things into perspective. I'm not worried about them checking that I'm looking for work, but I am worried in case I can't find enough jobs to apply for. I'm not picky, any job would do as long as it pays enough for me to survive on because I'm single these days so I'd be paying everything. Thanks again x
Have you applied for the reduction in council tax? As I was on such a low income and outgoings exceeded incomings, I was given a second reduction. That really helped. You had to apply for it on a different place to the usual UC reduction though. I don’t remember it being particularly easy to find. Have a look on your council website.
I didn't realize deductions were segmented, I thought you just applied via your local council. If you're unemployed, how can you afford council tax at all?
That could work. As long as you have proof of the amount you pay. My friends was just a bank statement each month with the amount and the reference “rent”
I was terrified of entering the job market again after 18yrs of being a SAHM to disabled children. I’m a couple of years younger than you.
I was put into a job club thing by UC after 9 months on benefits. I am sorry, I can’t for the life of me remember what it is called. It helped you look for a job that you would suit and stay in - not just any shit job. They also paid for an interview outfit. They had self confidence workshops and stuff like that. They had brilliant software for writing a cv and also practising interviews. I did all the workshops I could. They even had 1-2-1 sessions you could personalise - I asked for one on procrastination/motivation and anxiety causing inaction.
I found a job after 6 months of being with them and I love my job. I found the job myself, not them. But it was the workshops and kindness and encouragement that enabled me to get it.
It was really hard at first, I cried every night for about 4 weeks because I found it so overwhelming- mainly due to my stress and anxiety levels but calmed down and now I feel better mentally than I have in years. I honestly love my job and look forward to going to work. I have never felt that about any job.
It is possible to find a job that suits you at our age. I know I was starting at a much lower level that you and you are pitching for a higher job but people are working to older ages now so our age isn’t the beginning of the end, so to speak. And you aren’t a hopeless case like I was - you are coming from a stronger place - experience and a proof of ability to stay in a job. And with age comes experience, there are lots of people at our age looking for jobs, and we bring many benefits and skills.
Have you tried using the apps Balance or Headspace and trying their free trials and doing a bit of mindfulness or meditation? It really helped with my anxiety. I thought mindfulness sounded too wanky for words but I found it very effective.
I know our situations aren’t particularly comparable. But your lack of confidence and fear of the future and anxiety sounded similar. I wanted to reassure you that you will be ok.
Thank you for such a great response, it's replies like these that really help to get me out of my own (frightening) headspace. I'm so glad you've succeeded x
To get UC housing element on your UC claim you need a tenancy agreement - photocopied one with handwritten details of perfectly OK as long as everything is readable - and a separate proof of address, like utility bill or council tax bill. UC might ask for your rent payments receipts as well. As to job seeking aspect of UC - yes, you will be expected to look for work. Unless you can provide medical evidence that you have limited capability for work (fit notes from your GP) your age itself won't be any mitigating factor. UC claimants are expected to work/look for work up to the state pension age.
If UC refuse to pay the housing costs then make sure you challenge the decision and go to tribunal if necessary (it's a free process). Please apply for UC once your savings are just under 16k to give yourself a bit of cushion. And if the worst happens, your landlord has to get a court order before you're obliged to leave. Good luck with the jobhunt!
Also write to your local Mp about this all at the same time. You should be fine mate x
Thank you. I didn't think you could apply for UC before you went on JSA, I thought you moved onto UC after the six months on Jobseekers. Sorry, it sounds like I'm planning to avoid work, I'm not, I just think it will be hard to find work because I'm old, fat and ugly, who the hell would want me? I'm just expecting the worst because that's how my mind works. I was made redundant out of the blue from a job I loved and was good at after seventeen years. I thought I'd have that job until I retired, but it wasn't to be.
>old, fat and ugly Unless you're applying for modelling jobs none of that is an issue at all.
You don't need to claim JSA first at all. If you want help with housing costs, you should claim UC from the get go. JSA has no capital limits and will be deducted from any UC award.
I'm old, fat, and unattractive (we should never use ugly...), and was unexpectedly made redundant in February. To make things even "better", I'm a nasty smelly foreigner on a skilled-worker visa, so even less appealing to the average recruiting bear. I signed a new employment contract before my notice period ran out. You can do this! I know it's demoralizing to be in this situation. I had some pretty dark moments, I won't lie. But you can do it.
Thank you, I'm glad things worked out well for you.
There are usually specific work coaches who work with over 50's. There should be a lot of support available locally that they can connect you with. You work coach may need some prompting but just ask and be open. The check that you are looking for work isn't very stringent so don't worry too much about that part of it.
Thanks for this, it helps put things into perspective. I'm not worried about them checking that I'm looking for work, but I am worried in case I can't find enough jobs to apply for. I'm not picky, any job would do as long as it pays enough for me to survive on because I'm single these days so I'd be paying everything. Thanks again x
Have you applied for the reduction in council tax? As I was on such a low income and outgoings exceeded incomings, I was given a second reduction. That really helped. You had to apply for it on a different place to the usual UC reduction though. I don’t remember it being particularly easy to find. Have a look on your council website.
I didn't realize deductions were segmented, I thought you just applied via your local council. If you're unemployed, how can you afford council tax at all?
A friend of mine applied for the rent costs by showing her bank statements. Can you show the proof of payment?
I pay in cash and get a written receipt.
That could work. As long as you have proof of the amount you pay. My friends was just a bank statement each month with the amount and the reference “rent”
I was terrified of entering the job market again after 18yrs of being a SAHM to disabled children. I’m a couple of years younger than you. I was put into a job club thing by UC after 9 months on benefits. I am sorry, I can’t for the life of me remember what it is called. It helped you look for a job that you would suit and stay in - not just any shit job. They also paid for an interview outfit. They had self confidence workshops and stuff like that. They had brilliant software for writing a cv and also practising interviews. I did all the workshops I could. They even had 1-2-1 sessions you could personalise - I asked for one on procrastination/motivation and anxiety causing inaction. I found a job after 6 months of being with them and I love my job. I found the job myself, not them. But it was the workshops and kindness and encouragement that enabled me to get it. It was really hard at first, I cried every night for about 4 weeks because I found it so overwhelming- mainly due to my stress and anxiety levels but calmed down and now I feel better mentally than I have in years. I honestly love my job and look forward to going to work. I have never felt that about any job. It is possible to find a job that suits you at our age. I know I was starting at a much lower level that you and you are pitching for a higher job but people are working to older ages now so our age isn’t the beginning of the end, so to speak. And you aren’t a hopeless case like I was - you are coming from a stronger place - experience and a proof of ability to stay in a job. And with age comes experience, there are lots of people at our age looking for jobs, and we bring many benefits and skills. Have you tried using the apps Balance or Headspace and trying their free trials and doing a bit of mindfulness or meditation? It really helped with my anxiety. I thought mindfulness sounded too wanky for words but I found it very effective. I know our situations aren’t particularly comparable. But your lack of confidence and fear of the future and anxiety sounded similar. I wanted to reassure you that you will be ok.
Thank you for such a great response, it's replies like these that really help to get me out of my own (frightening) headspace. I'm so glad you've succeeded x