Long Term unemployed

[Stanleigh]

DOnt know if im in the right section for discussion, but is related. Having a right big dilemma atm, hoping for either encouragement or advice. Im applying for jobs & its become a distressing nightmare after so long away from the job market due to bringing up the next generation. I have spend well over a decade out of work being a stay at home parent, now im able to finally get into the work circle, i have found it such a hard task.

Basically i have such a long gap in actual employment & filling application forms have become dis-heartening, or looks very blank because i have not got a employed history for such a long time - the last place i worked doesn't exist anymore & stay at home parent doesn't look good on these forms especially this day & age competing with the young school leavers or college people, this also is bearing hard on me - even for menial jobs.

Nobody really understands how i feel or why i get upset because they have jobs & not been out of work as long as i have, they dont understand its harder for me than them to get back into work. I dont claim so jobcentre cant put me for back to work schemes.

Anyone been through this & got somewhere or have advice or least bring a discussion.

[Sweetpea]

I would start claiming for a start they should also let you pay your stamp, if nothing else.

What did you do, and dare I ask, how old are you?

First CLAIM.

Also you can use the fact that you HAVE had ....kids...(hmmm), and ALREADY brought them up, so you are not likely to have to go running off every nine months to pop another....one.

COULD work in your favour.

[Stanleigh]

Thanks guys, im heading towards my mid thirties & cant claim atm as other half works [lucky him lol] & deffo no plans for more ankle biters, the ones i have are on verge of teenagers, so feel i should get back on the horse sort of speak, longer i leave it the harder its getting.

[Sweetpea]

You can still sign on to pay your stamp.

Look online. You can always start with something part-time, like 'care assistant or something, and work up from there. Maybe do a little course to build your confidence.

Originally Posted by Stanleigh

Thanks guys, im heading towards my mid thirties & cant claim atm as other half works

Had the same problem back in the 80s.

My then Wife was earning 5 pound....YES that is 5 pound, too much PER MONTH, for me to be able to claim.

So, for five pound, we lost, I think then it was 40 quid per week.

And the trouble was, she worked in a bank with a set pay scale.

If it had been the corner shop, she could have asked them to reduce her pay by 5 pound 50 or something.

Although, as Sweetpea sais, you CAN get your stamp paid.

ALSO, have you thought of ahem "developing" depression and getting sick pay, which is NOT dependent on other halves earnings?