How to Claim Jobseekers Allowance

How to Claim Jobseekers Allowance by Michael Cheary Are you looking for financial help during your job search?Searching for a new job can be stressful at the best of times. But if you’re recently unemployed, the financial implications of trying to find the right opportunity can make things even harder.However, there are a number of government initiatives which may help make things easier. Here’s a quick guide on how to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance.What is Jobseeker’s Allowance?Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is a benefit paid to people who are currently unemployed or are employed on a low income  and are actively seeking work.How much can I claim?How much you can claim varies depending on your individual circumstance  and the type of Jobseeker’s Allowance you qualify for.The minimum JSA amount is £57.35 a week whilst you look for work.How does Jobseekers Allowance work?There are two types of Jobseeker’s Allowance:Contribution-basedIncome-basedContribution-based JSA Contribution-based JSA is paid for up to 182 days (approximately six months) whilst you are job seeking.For this type of JSA, your income or savings should not generally affect how much you receive.General amounts are as follows:For those aged 16-24 the weekly amount is £57.35For those aged 25 or over the weekly amount is £72.40You may be able to get income-based JSA after your 182 day contribution-based period expires.Income-based JSA Income-based JSA is means-tested, meaning your income and savings may affect how much you receive.However, as a general guideline:For those single and aged under 25, the weekly amount is £57.35For those single and aged 25 or over the weekly amount is £72.40For couples (both aged 18 or over) the weekly amount is £113.70For a lone parent (18 or over) the weekly amount is £72.40For a lone parent (under 18) the weekly amount is £57.35To find out how much you can claim based on your situation, and how JSA might affect other benefits payments, please visit GOV.UK’s Benefits Calcula tor.How do couples apply?You must apply as part of a couple if:You both want to claim JSAYou are both over 18 years of age (but below State Pension age)Neither of you is responsible for a childHow do I qualify?The following factors will usually affect whether you qualify or not:You will need to be 18 or over (but below State Pension age)You will not be in full-time educationYou will be able and available to workYou will be actively seeking workYou will work, on average, less than 16 hours per weekAlso, to get income-based JSA you must:Work less than 24 hours a week (on average)Have less than £16,000 in savingsHow often will I get paid JSA?Payments are made every two weeks  and are normally paid straight into your bank account.How do I claim JSA?You can claim JSA online, via telephone or through Jobcentre Plus.However, bear in mind that you will need to attend an interview at your local Jobcentre to complete your claim.What is a JSA rapid reclaim?If youve claimed JSA within the last 26 weeks, you might be able to fill out a shorter application, also known as a rapid reclaim.This may be the case if you were previously claiming JSA, then got a job for a short time, but are now unemployed again.However, if your circumstances have changed since your last claim (e.g. youve moved house or got married), you may not be eligible for the same type of JSA as before. In this situation, youd need to fill out a full application instead.FAQsI’ve just finished University. Can I claim?Yes. As long as you have finished higher education and are actively looking for work.I’m 16. Can I claim JSA? Generally you cannot claim JSA if you are under 18. However, there are some exceptions. Contact your nearest JobCentre Plus for more information.Can I study for a course and still claim JSA?Courses outside of full-time education, such as Open University courses or qualifications taken on a short-term basis, should not affect your JSA. However, always make sure you tell JobCentre Plus before you start.I’ve recently returned from travelling. Can I claim JSA?  To qualify for income-based payments, you must prove that you’re a UK national who has not worked since returning from travelling, or an EEA national who hasn’t worked since arriving in the UK. You will also need to prove you’ve been living in the UK for three months before you can claim.Does JSA affect Child Benefit or child tax credit? JSA should not affect Child Benefit or child tax credits. Please contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus for more information.What happens if my circumstances change? To avoid potential problems, report any changes to Jobcentre Plus as soon as possible. Not doing so could result in allegations of benefit fraud or payment being withdrawn.* Please note, the information outlined above is intended for general guidance purposes only, and is subject to change at any time. This article was first written in May 2014.For more detailed information about jobseekers allowance, pleas e visit: https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance. Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Career Development Getting Started How to start looking for work

How to Choose a Resume Writing Service For Your Career

How to Choose a Resume Writing Service For Your CareerIf you are in the market for a San Diego resume writing service, you want to get one that is honest and does what they say they will do. A professional, well-known San Diego resume writing service will have your best interests at heart. They will also help you get your resume to be noticed by the companies that are hiring you.If you are looking for a resume writing service, you might be wondering what type of resume writing services are available in San Diego. The truth is, there are a lot of them. You should really think about your needs before you choose a company. If you are looking for a resume service to make your life easier, these tips can help you choose the right one.When you are choosing a resume writing service, you need to look for honesty and care. A company that only does well for themselves is not the right choice. You need a company that takes care of their customers. You want to find a resume writing service that is going to create a unique resume for you. If they know their stuff, they will know how to get it done.You need to take the time to find the perfect resume for your career. A resume can change a person's entire perspective on his or her career. A resume is like a first impression. A quality resume service can take the time to make a great first impression.To produce a great resume, you will need to look for a service that specializes in creating a personalized resume. They will do everything they can to create a great first impression. You want to be sure that you are dealing with a company that knows what they are doing. A resume writer who is dedicated to doing the best job is a good choice.To have the perfect resume, you want a resume writing service that is committed to helping you find the right job. A good service will give you advice on the kind of job you are looking for. They will tell you exactly what you should be looking for when you are looking for a job. They can also give you advice on which companies are hiring in your area. You want to be sure that your resume writer knows what the real picture is.The most important thing to remember is that your resume service should be honest with you. They should be up front about any possible errors on your resume. They should also explain how they will go about fixing it if anything is wrong. Once you have been given the all clear, you can then go on to the more difficult part of writing your resume - getting your dream job.Hiring a resume writing service can be a major help when you are seeking a job in San Diego. You want a company that can make a resume that stands out above the rest, one that will be noticed by the companies that are hiring you.

The Five Essential Elements of Marriage Readiness

The Five Essential Elements of Marriage Readiness The following is a guest post by Sylvia Smith.  Her bio follows. “How can we be sure when we are ready to get married?” This is a good question and of course there is no single guaranteed watertight answer. Every couple is unique and different, so it all depends on your personal circumstances, your values and your beliefs. But there are some very good basic guidelines which hold true across the board, and these five essential elements are an excellent starting point when it comes to knowing whether or not you are ready for marriage. If you can give a positive tick to all five of these elements in your relationship, you are probably well on your way to celebrating your wedding day. The element of conflict resolution If you haven’t had at least two serious disagreements yet, you better wait a while. The way you and your partner handle your conflicts will probably be the most defining factor as to your future happiness together. And don’t think there won’t be too many conflicts to worry about. In any normal healthy relationship between two human beings who decide to share every aspect of their lives in close proximity, there are bound to be quite a few differences to iron out. Maybe you come from a background where conflicts are swept under the carpet with a “least said soonest mended” attitude, while your beloved is used to belting out every grievance as and when it happens. You will seriously have to sit down and figure out how the two of you are going to approach this element of conflict resolution together. Once you have a plan in place, make sure you give it enough time to see how it works in a real life situation. If your partner shows any signs whatsoever of a “my way or the highway” attitude, walk away while you can, the sooner the better. The element of testing Your relationship will be tested in many and varied ways. This may include things like sickness, family relationships, or pressure at work. Having a long-distance relationship can also put strain on a relationship if you live in different cities or states. If you have weathered some of the storms of life together, you will have a much more realistic view of how you each handle such situations. Going through tough times together can either strengthen your relationship and draw you closer together, or it can sap your relationship to such an extent that you drift apart. Either way it’s good to know and it will give you a much better idea as to whether marriage is for you two or not. A relationship that has successfully navigated the element of testing and has stood the test of time and tide before marriage has a good chance of continuing in like manner after marriage. The element of humor Do you make each other laugh? And do you enjoy watching the same kind of comedies together? Life can be serious enough so having a good sense of humor is essential. The healing properties of laughter are well known, in fact they say laughter is the best medicine. So whatever life and marriage may throw at you, if you can laugh about it together you are bound to go far. It’s also important to be able to laugh at yourself, showing your vulnerability and humility by realizing that you are far from perfect. But sharing the funny side together in a loving and open way is vastly different from laughing at someone and making fun of them. If you find yourself taking the brunt of your partner’s jokes, or if you feel ‘put down’ in any way, it is probably a sign that you may need to get yourself free from that relationship. Before you decide to marry someone be sure that the element of humor is alive and well in your relationship. The element of companionship At the end of the day we are all looking for a best friend and companion.  Someone we can bare our souls to without reservation, someone that we feel completely comfortable with in every way. If you have a relationship where you both know each other’s backgrounds and personal history, and you still accept and respect one another, then you have made a very good start. Maybe you still have those niggling little doubts and questions in your mind such as, “I wonder if he would still love me if he knew about this or that?” It is better to get all those things out in the open before you tie the knot â€" even if it means the end of the relationship. You would rather be with someone who accepts you “warts and all” than being with someone that you have to hide parts of yourself away from. Companionship also includes sharing similar interests and doing things together. If your preferences are too different you may end up living separate lives. If the element of companionship is not fully intact in your relationship, you may not be ready for marriage. The element of common goals A marriage partner is your travelling companion on this journey of life. If you decide to travel together you need to be going in the same direction. If your partner’s goal is to live in the city centre and succeed in the corporate world, while your goal is to quietly settle in the countryside and raise a family, then you may not be meant for each other. Before making a marriage commitment you would need to thoroughly discuss the important questions such as whether or not you want children and how many. If you have children, how will you discipline them, and what faith, if any, will they be taught. Besides your goals in life, your values and beliefs also play a vital role in whether or not your relationship is destined for marriage. If you have common or compatible goals and your values and beliefs are aligned, you may just have a match made in heaven. Author Bio: Sylvia Smith is a relationship expert with years of experience in training and helping couples. She has helped countless individuals and organizations around the world, offering effective and efficient solutions for healthy and successful relationships. Her mission is to provide inspiration, support and empowerment to everyone on their journey to a great marriage. She is a featured writer for Marriage.com, a reliable resource to support healthy, happy marriages. Follow her on  Facebook,  Twitter,  StumbleUpon, Google+  and  Pinterest. Images:  Main  Couple  

6 Things Millennials (And Everyone!) Can Do to Maintain a Youthful Appearance -

6 Things Millennials (And Everyone!) Can Do to Maintain a Youthful Appearance - Many people in their 20’s are stressed out about high post-college student loan debt requiring long work hours and side hustles to pay it off. They’re noticing their work hard play hard lifestyle is leading to tired eyes and premature wrinkles. They turn to filters to optimize their social media photos. Many are influenced by celebrities their age not to mention the countless millennial “social media influencers” who are setting the new standard for beauty and youth. Bottomline, millennials are stressed, and they don’t want to look it.  Dr. Manesh Shah urges the under 30 crowd not to overdo it with expensive treatments and procedures that can actually make them look older and put them further into debt. Here is his list of 6 things millennials can do to maintain their youthful appearance. Use sunblock every day. “The best way to make sure your face is protected from the sun is to use a daily moisturizer with SPF of no less than 30,” explains Dr. Shah. He also suggests applying creams to your neck and chest to postpone wrinkling and sagging in these areas. “The sun protection done daily in your 20’s will pay off greatly in your 40’s,” he says. Get your Vitamin C. “Vitamin C is a huge collagen booster and it also reduces pores and brightens skin, and these are the exact things women in their late 30’s and 40’s complain about most,” he reveals. Foods such as cantaloupe, mango, pineapples, oranges, grapefruits, and berries are all packed with this antioxidant which when eaten regularly does wonders to sustain a youthful glow. Ditch the fast food and eat more fish. Those late night post partying fries and pizza are to be expected and at 25 are difficult to avoid. Perhaps your metabolism can handle it, for now. Offset these weekend indulgences by eating fish during the week. “Fish oil has fatty acids can erase early wrinkles you may notice. It prevents inflammation which can only make wrinkles more noticeable and deeper over time. A lot of millennials who are picky eaters and avoid seafood can get Omega-3’s via supplements but getting it directly from eating fish is best,” Dr. Shah suggests. Quit smoking. Nothing will age you quicker than smoking. “It is possible for a 25-year-old to look 8-5 years younger, within just 3 months after quitting smoking. This number increases after age 30. Women over age 40 who don’t smoke typically look up to a decade younger than their counterparts who still smoke,” says Dr. Shah. There are a gazillion reasons to quit smoking. Linking it to vanity is a pretty powerful motivator. Decrease your sugar intake. You really want to start getting mindful about your sugar intake in your 20’s for many different reasons. “Sugars and carbohydrates are a beauty killer because they are proinflammatory. Pasta, ketchup, candy, ice cream, and fruit juices are often dietary staples for those under 30. Any inflammation in the body will show up on the face in the form of adult acne, sagging and wrinkling not to mention sallow skin tone,” warns Dr. Shah. Maintain your glow with facials and peels. While many millennials are starting off with “Baby Botox” which can postpone wrinkling, Botox isn’t cheap. It also can be a “gateway” treatment which leads to lip injections and fillers that oftentimes have a reverse effect making younger women appear older, cautions Dr. Shah. “Lasers and peels have come very far, offer and excellent solution for sun damage, skin texture, pores, acne scarring and cell turnover to stimulate collagen growth. These treatments are still a bit costly for millennials, many of whom are on a strict budget,” he adds. Dr. Shah concludes that millennials who get into a good solid habit of taking care of themselves both inside and out, will create a lifestyle of longevity. “Millennials raised by mothers who may have had breast implants, Botox, lip injections feel that getting things “done” is normal. This is exactly why I am always very honest when advising patients under 25 on procedures they’re considering.” About Dr. Manish Shah Manish Shah, M.D., F.A.C.S. is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. After completing his formal plastic surgery training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Univ. of Tennessee College of Medicine, he moved to New York City and was selected for the prestigious Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital. He underwent extensive, advanced training in aesthetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body at the hands of some of the most renowned cosmetic surgeons in the world. Dr. Shah is one of only a select few plastic surgeons in the country who have undergone formal post-graduate training in aesthetic surgery.

Things to Consider When Writing a Resume

Things to Consider When Writing a ResumeWhen you write a resume, you will need to make certain things to consider. Knowing how to do this will allow you to go through the process faster and with ease. Making sure that you can focus on the details will allow you to get a higher quality resume that will show you off well in the job market. You will also find that your resume will be more convincing when you know how to use the key points in the right way.One of the first things that you will want to do is to make sure that you have all of the information on your resume filled out correctly. This means that you will want to make sure that all of the basic information has been filled out correctly. Some of the basic elements that you will want to think about when writing a resume to include your education, work experience, and other skills that you possess. You will also want to think about how these elements are relevant to the position that you are applying for.When you are creating yo ur resume, you should take some time to think about what kind of impression you want to make on the future employer. It will help to take some time to think about what the future employer wants to hear when it comes to your skills. Having the ability to be able to express the appropriate levels of skill at the appropriate time is key when it comes to crafting a successful resume.Another thing that you will want to consider when writing a resume is how your abilities will be relevant to the job that you are applying for. You will want to think about how you fit into the role that you are applying for. It will be helpful to think about how others in the same position have performed in the past. This can give you an idea of what to expect when it comes to your future performance.You will also want to make sure that you understand the requirements for the position that you are applying for. When it comes to writing a resume, there are many things that you will want to consider when it c omes to understanding the requirements for the job that you are applying for. The requirements are not the same for every job. You will want to make sure that you understand the difference between the requirements for the job that you are applying for and the requirements for each individual job that you are applying for.Once you have figured out the requirements for the job that you are applying for, you will need to create a short list of jobs that you think you will be able to do. Your short list should include jobs that you have experience in. You will find that once you have done this, you will be in a better position to look at the jobs that you have listed and determine if they are a good fit for you. You will also find that you will be able to know if you will need to look elsewhere for the position that you are applying for.You will also want to make sure that you make your resume stand out from the rest. You will want to create a resume that is very unique. You will want t o make sure that your resume is different from the other resumes that are out there. You will want to make sure that you can write a resume that is a good representation of you as a person.These are some of the things to consider when writing a resume. When you do this, you will be able to write a well-written resume that shows you off well in the job market. You will also find that you will be able to get a higher quality resume that is a good representation of your skill set. With these tips, you will be able to make sure that you are able to reach your goal of getting hired for the job that you are applying for.

A new challenge - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

A new challenge - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog One of lifes biggest pleasures is doing stuff you dont know if you can. And this weekend I performed with some fellow instructors from FormFitness at Alt for Damerne Live. The thought of getting on a stage in front of hundreds of women was terrifying, but once youre up there its actually easy. It went great, and we had a lot of fun both practicing and especially performing. Pictures here, here and here (Im the one in the blue shirt). Now, what should the next challenge be? Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

What Will You Do When You Retire

What Will You Do When You Retire If you are like most baby boomers, you are looking forward to your well deserved retirement. It is the goal/dream youve literally been working towards your whole life. Ah, the day I dont have to work for a living, Ill be doing _________________ fill in the blank. What will you be doing when you dont have to report to your job any longer? Will you be happy playing golf 24/7, weeding the garden or watching the grand kids? So what will you do with all your free time? Sure, you can volunteer a bit. Will that fulfill your dreams? Many retirees struggle with how to feel fulfilled after theyve retired.This feelingof boredom doesnt happen right away of course, it may take months. Then the itching to do something worth-while begins. Doesnt it make sense to start planning today what youll be doing?Perhaps you want to do some consulting work. Youll need to start building that business before you retire because youll need work contacts to help spread the word. Starting a business takes time and money, youll have a head start if you begin the process before you retire. The other thing to consider is if you really will be content living on a fixed income for the rest of your life (perhaps 30 years). If that doesnt scare you, it should. Most people probably wont receive lifetime health insurance benefits. Those can be costly to pick up on your own. Will you have enough to pay for them? What about your life-style.Will you be able to live the life you are accustomed to? What sacrifices will you have to make? If you dont want to initially make those trade-offs, what could you do to gain some income? What talent or expertise do you offer that would be of value to others? (ie. what would someone pay you to do?) This question should sound familiar if youve ever be unemployed. It is never too early to create an awareness of your expertise/talents. Start today while those talents are fresh and alive. Build your brand so you can rely on it in the future. I read a lot of blogs and here is some more great advice about planning for your next phase of life (we wont call it retirement, because that concept probably wont exist in the future). Where to Find Retirement Jobs Retirements For Old People Do Mature Workers Need Career Plans?