Jobseekers allowance and work experience - help!

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Hi,

I don't claim disability because I don't need it and I'm not formally diagnosed yet anyway. I am, however, on jobseekers allowance [I'm from the UK] I'm doing UNPAID work experience for a week soon and they're only paying expenses (travel there and back) but the people at my job centre said I still need to declare it and I may miss out on my jobseekers allowance. Why? I'm not getting any salary out of it - nothing. Why would they stop it for that time? Because while I'm doing it I'll STILL be applying for jobs.... Someone put my mind at rest, because this doesn't sound fair.

Thanks.

Is this part of one of the controversial schemes? You have to be careful because one of them starts of as voluntary but then becomes mandatory after the first week. Its important to opt out before the second week if thats the case.

Unless its something youve arranged yourself you shouldnt be docked JSA, did someone say that to you or is it written down? the phrase 'your benefit may be affected if you do not..' is a standard stock line used in DWP & JC+ letters.

It's just for a week. I emailed them with my CV not long ago and they rang me today asking to help out. I just hope I don't lose out on benefits for doing something that is actually going to increase my chances of getting a job. Stopping benefit is no incentive for people, is it? Most would reject work experience if it meant not getting any benefit because of it.

I have mixed feelings about the controversial issue. I think it's alright to do short-term unpaid work as long as it's worthwhile and done during a time where you're training anyway (e.g. university) I do, however, think people should be paid at least minimum wage if they're out of education and it's for longer periods. I'm a graduate and I can no longer afford to do freebies really. Making graduates do free work is exploitative because companies know how desperate we are right now. This opportunity I couldn't say no to, though. I need a foot in the door, but I would think twice if they asked me to do it for much longer unpaid... that's when it's NOT fair.

I think you need to talk to someone who knows more about the system there in the UK, because you need more info. Perhaps you could consult with a Legal Aid attorney/solicitor?

Unfortunately this sort of thing is quite common. Their reasoning is that as you are doing voluntary work you are not looking for work. The fact that you are gaining experience means nothing to them. You aren't going on an approved scheme so it doesn't count.