How we can help you find work

There are a number of ways Jobcentre Plus can help you when you are looking for work.

Personal advisers

When you contact Jobcentre Plus, you can ask about setting up a meeting with a personal adviser.

Our personal advisers are based at the Jobcentre and will offer you all the help, support and advice you need. They can discuss your personal situation with you and give you advice about finding a job, training, and childcare or extended school care if you need it.

They can help you work out what's right for you, and for your children both now and in the future. They can also work out how much better off you'll be in a job and tell you about extra help with costs when you're working .

They can also tell you about New Deal for Lone Parents which is a special programme for parents bringing up children on their own who are interested in working. It's optional, but if you join you could get extra adviser support and financial help.

Options and Choices Events

Our Personal Advisers also run Options and Choices events. This is a great way to meet local employers, and to find out what they can offer, what skills they need and how to fit your hours around your family.

We also provide you with information about the changes to Income Support entitlement after November 2008 and the options available to you.

Options and Choice events give you the information you need to make the right choices for your future and your children's. It's worth going along, even if you're not quite ready to start work - so you can plan your future.

Guaranteed Job Interview

We also work closely with local employers, who are happy to fit your working hours around your family life. Which means that when you're ready, we guarantee to arrange a job interview for you with one of them where possible.

Work Trials

You could also try a work trial, which will give you the chance to try out an actual job with an employer for up to 30 days.

It's a risk free way of making sure it's the right job and you continue to receive your benefits.

More information about work trials.

If you're on New Deal for Lone Parents you may get help with your travel and childcare costs while you're doing a Work Trial. For more information ask your personal adviser.

Job Grant

Job Grant is a tax free payment payable if you are taking up full time work of at least 16 hours per week. The amount of Job Grant you will get will be either £100 or £250 depending on your circumstances.

More about information about Job Grant.

Mortgage Interest run on

You may be able to get Mortgage Interest Run-on if you were getting Income Support for at least 26 weeks.

More information about Mortgage Interest Run On