Help if you’re out of work
A lot of support is available if you’ve lost your job or are facing redundancy. In this section you’ll find a range of advice and guidance to get you some:
- Face to face advice
- Training
- Counselling
- Job search facilities
...and more
Help if you’re out of work
Support when you need it
Don’t panic If you’ve lost your job or are facing redundancy … a lot of support is available to help you.
In many cases advice sessions for people facing redundancy are organised by employers working with JobcentrePlus. These sessions offer a chance to find out about the range of different benefits available and how to access them. Even when these sessions are not formally arranged, JobcentrePlus, and a number of other agencies can help you in a number of ways. For contact details see the Jobseeker Contact List below.
Local libraries can also be a very useful resource for all sorts of advice and support. Access to the internet is available at most libraries and many websites (including job and business-related sites) are free to access. Please visit your local library or check out our Libraries web pages for more information.
If you run into money difficulties, there are a number of organisations who can help, particularly if you need advice about how to manage your debts. It is important that you try and
address these issues as soon as you possibly can. A list of useful organisations that can help is provided in the
Jobseeker's Allowance
Jobseeker's Allowance is the main benefit for people who are out of work. If you are eligible it is paid when you don't have a job and are looking for work.
There are 2 types of Jobseeker's Allowance:
- The first is called 'Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance'. You may get this if you have paid or been credited with class 1 National Insurance contributions in the relevant tax years.
- The other is based on your income and savings. This is called 'Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance'.
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_007957.xml.html
Jobseeker's contact list
JobcentrePlus
JobcentrePlus supports people into work and provides expert help to companies on training, recruitment and dealing with redundancies.
T: 01793 489776
W: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
The DWP promote work as the best form of welfare, helping more people into work and supporting those who can't work.
T: 01793 489600
W: www.dwp.gov.uk
Disability and Carers Service (DCS)
The DCS supports disabled people and their carers, whether or not they work. It is responsible for delivering Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Carer's Allowance.
The Rent Service
The Rent Service provides a rental valuation service for housing benefit purposes, fair rent valuation for landlords and tenants and advice to members of the public.
T: 08450 26 46 96
W: www.therentservice.gov.uk
Direct Gov Benefits Adviser (Online)
Direct Gov benefits Adviser Online is an online questionnaire to help you find out which benefits and tax credits you and your family may be entitled to and whether you are entitled to the State Pension.
W: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineByCategory/DG_073267
New College Swindon
Further education via full-time and part-time courses to attain additional qualifications.
T: 0808 1721721
W: www.newcollege.ac.uk
Swindon College
Further education and NVQ training via full-time and part-time courses to attain additional academic and work-related qualifications.
T: 01793 491591
W: www.swindon-college.ac.uk
Connexions Wiltshire and Swindon
Connexions is a service run by Swindon Borough Council that aims to help young people aged 13-19, make the most of their talents and opportunities and to support them through the many choices they have to make. These include career choices.
T: 0808 001 3219
W: www.swindon.gov.uk/connexions
Swindon Talent Pool
Swindon Talent Pool is an online facility set up and run by SwindonWeb in conjunction with Swindon Borough Council and the Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership. It's a place where, if you're looking a job, you can tell prospective employers all about yourself. It's your chance to create a free, easy-to-use personal profile where you can promote yourself, your skills and qualifications to potential employers that need them.
Job vacancy websites
Searchable websites that provide details of job vacancies.
Swindon Borough Council: www.swindon.gov.uk/jobs
Swindon Advertiser: www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/jobs
Fish 4 Jobs: www.fish4jobs.co.uk/jobs
Jobs Go Public: www.jobsgopublic.co.uk
Monster Job Search: www.monster.co.uk
Jobsearch: www.jobsearch.co.uk
My Job Search: www.myjobsearch.com
Job Rapido: www.jobrapido.co.uk
Need a Job: www.needajob.co.uk
Jobserve: www.jobserve.co.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau
Areas covered include property, landlord and tenant, employment, litigation & disputes, contracts, debt, company and small trader advice.
T: 0845 050 5155 (Appointments only).
ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)
ACAS improves employment relations, solving problems and improving the performance of employers and employees.
T: 08457 474 747
W: www.acas.org.uk
The Princes Trust
Help to get young people experience, skills and motivation to get a job or start a company
T: 0800 842842
W: www.princes-trust.org.uk
The Samaritans
Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
T: 08457 909090
W: www.samaritans.org