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Work Trials

A Work Trial gives you the chance to show an employer that you are the right person to fill a job. It is entirely voluntary.

Who is eligible

To find out if you are eligible, please speak to a Jobcentre Plus adviser who will check if you qualify.

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How it works

If you decide to take up a Work Trial, you will:

• get the chance to try out a job and show the employer that you are the right person to do the job
• continue to receive your benefits
• be paid expenses, for example travel expenses
• be eligible to apply for Access to Work - if you've a disability or health problem stopping you from doing parts of your job

• Access to Work - practical help at work (disabled people section)

Your benefits will not be affected if you:

• want to leave the Work Trial early
• turn down the job if you are offered it at the end of the trial

If you are offered a job and you decide to accept it, this does not automatically mean that all your benefits will end. Jobcentre Plus will be able to tell you about benefits you may be able to claim while you are working.

Arranging your own Work Trial

If you want to arrange your own Work Trial, you should ask your nearest Jobcentre Plus office for advice.

Jobcentre Plus will usually give you a copy of the letter ‘Work Trials: Try it for yourself’. You should send this to the employer with your application form, letter of application or CV.

You will then get a response either from the employer or from Jobcentre Plus.

If you are being interviewed for a job

If an employer seems to have doubts about whether you are the right person for the job, you could always mention Work Trials. You can then show them a copy of ‘Work Trials: Try it for yourself’ to let them know that you qualify for a trial.

See ‘Arranging your own Work Trial’, above.

Point out to the person interviewing you that the letter tells them to contact Jobcentre Plus if they are interested.

To find out more about Work Trials please contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.

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Employment on Trial

Normally if you leave a job voluntarily, without good cause, you lose entitlement to benefit. Employment on Trial allows you to leave a job and claim Jobseekers Allowance without the reason for leaving affecting your entitlement to benefit.

You must:

• have been in the job for at least four weeks and one day - but for no more than 12 weeks
• have worked for more than 16 hours in each complete week

If you are dismissed or leave the job because of misconduct you might still lose benefit.

To find out more about Employment on Trial, please contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.

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