Young people

Unemployment

Being unemployed is never easy, but there are many ways to find advice on looking for work and claiming benefits. Finding the best guidance when you are unemployed will depend very much on your age.

From the age of 18 you may be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance which can be claimed from your local Job Centre. You will be referred to a Job Centre Advisor who will work out a Jobseeker's Agreement with you and payment of benefits will be dependent on you keeping to this agreement.

You will be expected to make serious efforts to find work and this will include attending the Job Centre regularly to look for jobs. You will also have to 'sign on' and state that you are still looking for work.

There are many ways in which you can be helped to achieve your career plans, for example the government's New Deal scheme. The system helps to break the vicious circle of having no job and no experience by providing work experience and training for job seekers.

If you are entitled to other benefits, for example, you are caring for a family or have a disability, you may not be required to look for work. You may, however, be able to take a place on a New Deal Scheme for lone parents or the disabled and receive extra help whilst you look for work.

If you are aged 16 or 17 the rules are slightly different. You will need to visit your local Connexions Careers Centre (ring first to check opening times).

In some exceptional circumstances you may be able to claim Job Seeker's Allowance or to have Child Benefit paid until you find a suitable job. These benefits will require a Job Seeker's Agreement to be completed, in this case a Personal Adviser will help you complete the forms and work out a plan of action with you.

The Personal Advisers at Connexions can offer a wide variety of help. If you are aged between 16 and 19 years old they can help you decide on your next step.

Whilst they can explain the options of finding a job and training or how best to get back into education, it is important to remember that the choice will always be yours to make.

There are also exciting new Life Skills programmes offered which will pay you a training allowance while you get the skills you need to move into employment.

Whether or not you need to claim benefits the Connexions Service is designed to offer the widest range of help available when you are looking for work. Some of the services offered to 16 to 19 year olds include:

• Information on job vacancies in your local area
• Advice on Training opportunities
• Advice and support with job hunting techniques
• Help producing CVs and completing application forms
• Interview Tips
• Further specialist advice

To use this service call 01462 704953 and speak to a member of the Connexions Employment Team.