Advice needed please...

[cardiffsteve]

I've have been out of work since July 2010 because of illness but now I feel a lot better.
Thanks in part to the lovely people on the Grapevine.

I have been working with a company that helps people who have been ill or who have disabilities to get back to employment.

Now...
I am being sent by them for an interview for a job (yippee) but the problem is the job is 14miles away and through a very busy stretch of motorway (notorious accident black spot).
The position is 16 hours a week for minimum wage, which is less than I get on benefit, and is only a temporary postion for 13 weeks. Which means if I take the job and cant find another one after 13 weeks I will be on less benefit.


Question...

Do I take the job if offered or do I turn it down in the hope that a position closer to home or more money comes along?

Oh wise ones please help.


ps I am currently on an unpaid work placement which will end at christmas but I do get petrol expenses to get there.

pps. I really want to work not just because of money although I am skint but I need to feel useful again. It very demoralising being unemployed people think your lazy and just scrounging off the system.

[Glutton4...]

Take it if offered. It may lead to other opportunities. You can always keep looking if it proves not to suit you.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Steve, I've never been in your situation and it is a horrible position you have been placed in. My own inclination is to take G4's advice(as much as anything because it's easier to get a job out of a job) but I'd also be trying to have a word at your local CAB because it seems to be inherently unfair to try to get yourself back onto the job marker with a temporary job, yet be guaranteed to come off that job to a reduced level of benefits.

[binley100]

I'd take it cos it's easier to get another job if you're already in a job ........will you be able to boost money with working tax credits?

[veggiechicken]

I agree with G4. Go for it - feel useful again (your words). Take whatever opportunities come along and prove yourself to your employer. It will give you 13 weeks of work on your CV and a good reference at the end of it. Who knows what you may be offered then?

[VirginVegGrower]

Can't you ask the DSS or whatever they are called to help meet your expenses so it is topped up to the same as weekly benefit? I thought that was the scheme that ran or has that been cut, my understanding incorrect?
Ask the employer if they can assist you as you really want the opportunity to work for them...

[cardiffsteve]

For working tax credits I'd have to work 30 hours or more to be better off.

CAB in Cardiff has closed or is in the process of closing because of lack of funds

[SarzWix]

Is the travelling freaking you out? I only ask because you mention the motorway. I personally have a major phobia about driving into Leeds along a certain route - I don't even have to get near it now, just the thought of it sets my heart racing, and that wasn't due to an accident, just getting lost & stuck in the one-way system in the wrong direction So if it's something like that bothering you, I completely understand!

Only you can decide really if the boost to your confidence of getting the job will be worth the drop in income or not. But you could always go along to the interview, find out what the prospects of a permanent position are, and whether you like the people or not. If you don't fancy it, just do an impression of a really terrible employee and they'll offer it to someone else x

[Fruit&2veg]

Think i would go along to the interview and make it clear I was very keen, ask the odds of a full time post/more hours coming up, explain the situation with regard to distance and travel expenses and see what they are offering, after all, what can you lose? If you decide not to take the job, at least you will do so in possesion af all the facts. And any interview is good experience after all

PS Dont let small minded peoples comments get to you- Youve worked in the past and you guenuinly want to get back to work. the real scroungers are the lazy B******s who have never worked,and! have no intentions of doing so! I and iam sure all of us on here admire you for your spirit and determination to fight back
Best of luck whatever you decide on this one!

[lizzylemon]

I would definitely go to the interview, it will be good practise apart from anything else and I find that I need at least 3 to get me in the right way of thinking, how to prep, dress and just my confidence back. It would also give you a good idea how you feel about that stretch of road. Once there you will get the feel for the company and people and that, above all will give you help in reaching an answer if they do offer you the job.

However, please do seek some advice from the Jobcentre work adviser. They can help tell you what you will, won't be entitled too and the increments that they all change by. I know from personal experience, working 16 hours will entitle you to some working tax credits & child care credits if you need them. I have to be honest and say think long and hard about losing your benefits for a temporary job. The job is only 13 weeks but you don't know how long you will be back on benefits afterwards, so you need to make sure that you can live on that reduced amount for what might be a considerable time. Its a hard market out there at the moment. If you want to feel useful, you could do some more volunteering. The Charity shops are always looking out for help, as is the CAB and they all count on CVs. Good luck with which ever decision you go for.

[Two_Sheds]

I've have been out of work... because of illness ... if I take the job and cant find another one after 13 weeks I will be on less benefit.

This caught me out when I had cancer: I was on Incap, but started work again as soon as I could. My health then deteriorated again because I took on more than I could cope with ~ I had to give up my job eventually, but I was put on a lower level of benefit, even though it was my original condition that was causing me to be ill again (the side/after effects, not the disease).

Have a look at the Permitted Work system, if it still exists.

My heart says go to work, because it will do you good, but don't get yourself into debt or poverty over it

[donnakebab]

I understand your dilemma. How many days is the 16 hours spread over? If it's a couple then I suppose it's not too bad otherwise you'd be spending too much on petrol/diesel. Like everybody else says I'd be inclined to go for it for the experience as much as anything else. It does seem grossly unfair that your benefits will be cut at the end of it though.

Good luck anyway whatever you decide. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. kffffffffffg; bnbklle. Sorry! had to uncross them

[chris]

I'd go for the job too, as long as TS says you don't get your self into debt in doing so. It's one thing being proud and wanting to work (which I applaud you for), but getting into a spiral of debt because of it isn't the right thing to do, regardless of what you/others may think!

As above too, you never know they could be impressed with you enough to bear you in mind for other openings.

I travel ~10miles each way to work, I leave early to beat the majority of the traffic - often using a country lane to avoid the A470. The distance isn't too bad really, but then it depends on your route I suppose! FWIW it takes me 20-25mins to do my route.

[cardiffsteve]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply

Was going to go for interview just to get interview experience, even if I dont get job.

I'm more worried about the cost of travelling. I would have to take my car as there is not much public transport. I would think at least 3 buses and about 2 hours travelling.

Dont know how many days 16 hours is over but its a 28 mile round trip so if its 2 days then thats approx 2 gallons of petrol.
Then what do i do after 13 weeks go back on dole at reduced rate.
Did ask about permitted work and they replied "its not suitable". Dont know what that means

I just so confused at mo, not just about this but lots of things.

Also didnt get much sleep last night worrying about it.

[chris]

My place has posters up all over the place about car share wales - may be worth having a quick look to see if anyone is going your way that you can split the fuel costs with?