NEW DEAL
The New Deal 18-24 is to help people 18-24 to find work. It's meant to be flexible, and is intended to give you the help that you think you need to get a job you will stay in. You'll automatically have to join when you have been claiming JSA for six months continuously. You can join earlier if you have worked no more than 28 days in the last six months or if you are vulnerable e.g. just left care, have a disability, are homeless or are an ex-offender.
First, you go through the Gateway stage, for up to four months. It involves intensive help to try to find a job. If this isn't successful you will be offered a package of full time support in either
- a subsidised job with an employer or self employed
- full time education and training
- voluntary work
- a place on an Environmental Task Force
All of these involve at least one day a week training, and ongoing help to find a job. During this Option period you will receive a training allowance equivalent to your jobseeker’s allowance. You may also get extra money and help with travel and childcare costs. You should get a choice over your placement although you may not get to choose between all four options.
New Deal is compulsory - if you refuse or fail to take up a placement, or leave it early, you will lose benefit for two weeks for a first 'offence' and four weeks for a second 'offence'. If you are vulnerable (eg pregnant or have a child or have left care) you can get a reduced rate of JSA for these weeks.
The penalty for a third 'offence' is 26 weeks sanction. You normally cannot get a hardship payment during this time, but if you go back and finish your New Deal course you get your training allowance back immediately. If your JSA is still sanctioned after you finish your New Deal course, apply for a hardship payment (you don't have to be in a vulnerable group to claim this during a 26 week sanction).