Services
Coping with redundancy
Facing the prospect of losing your job or being made redundant can be a stressful and confusing time.
If you think you're going to be made redundant you need to understand your rights.
Redundancy is a form of dismissal from your job, caused by your employer needing to reduce the workforce. For example: new technology or a new system replaces your job; the job you were hired for no longer exists; there is a need to reduce costs; or the company is closing or relocating. Normally your job must have disappeared for you to be made redundant. However, it can still be a genuine redundancy if someone else's job disappears and they are moved into your job, making you redundant.
Benefits and help when going back to work: If you return to work after being on benefit, some of your benefits will stop automatically straight away. Some will carry on for a short while after you start work and you may be able to get other benefits once you're working.
Help with housing costs: If you were getting help with your housing costs while you were out of work, you may carry on getting this for up to four weeks after you start your new job. You'll need to have claimed income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support for at least 26 weeks continuously just before you started work. Benefits include: Extended Payment of Housing Benefit; (new window) Extended Payment of Council Tax Benefit; (new window) Mortgage Interest Run On (new window)
To make a claim for Jobseekers Allowance or Income Support call 0800 055 66 88, lines are open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
Job Grant: (new window) A Job Grant is a tax-free lump sum. You may be eligible for a Job Grant if you have been claiming certain benefits. Contact your Jobcentre Plus centre for information.
Job Seekers Allowance (JSA): (new window) This is the main benefit for people of working age who are out of work. If you're eligible, it is paid when you don't have a job and you're looking for work.
Access2employment is the council's main provider of support and advice to help West Lothian residents into work.
Training: Jobcentre Plus can help you by providing free full-time education and training for up to a year (up to £750 towards training a young person aged between 18 and 24). You must have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for at least six months and located in an area covered by this scheme. A training allowance based on your JSA payments plus a top-up payment may be payable during the training. For more information please contact Jobcentre Plus. (new window)
Travel-to-interview scheme: (new window) In certain circumstances Jobcentre Plus may be able to help you pay to get to your job interview. This is called the travel-to-interview scheme.
'Employed or looking for work' benefits: (new window) Benefits and help for parents going back to work Benefits and help when looking for work Income Support Jobseeker's Allowance Statutory Sick Pay Job Grant Community Care Grants Reduced Earnings Allowance.
Starting your own business: (new window) Working for yourself maybe an attractive option. West Lothian's Enterprise Centre in Livingston delivers a full range of Business Gateway services designed to meet the needs of all those wishing to start a new business, buy into a business opportunity or become self-employed.
Updated: 31/08/11
