Help with looking for work or starting your own business

Transcription

1 Factsheet 11 April 2012 Help with looking for work or starting your own business About this factsheet This factsheet is aimed at people aged 50 and over and covers information about finding work, claiming Jobseeker s Allowance, starting your own business, volunteering and age discrimination in employment. The information given in this factsheet is applicable in England. Different rules may apply in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Readers in these nations should contact their respective national Age UK organisation for information specific to where they live see section 9 for details. If you need further information or advice, see section 9 for details of how to order other Age UK factsheets and information materials. You will also find the telephone numbers for Age UK Advice there. If you need more detailed advice tailored to your personal circumstances or representation, it is often best to find a local service offering this. Age UK Advice can give you contact details for a local Age UK, or you could contact one of the independent organisations listed in section 8. Factsheet 11 April of 28

2 Inside this factsheet 1 Recent developments 3 2 Finding a job Vacancies and job advertisements 4 3 Age discrimination 5 4 Benefits and support from Jobcentre Plus Jobseeker s Allowance Training provided through Jobcentre Plus The Employment, Skills and Enterprise Scheme Working Tax Credit 14 5 Starting a business/self-employment Social enterprise Franchises Direct selling Help from Jobcentre Plus Support from Business Link 16 6 Volunteering 18 7 Career guidance 19 8 Useful organisations 20 9 Further information from Age UK 26 Factsheet 11 April of 28

3 1 Recent developments The Government has introduced the New Enterprise Allowance, which was rolled out nationally from the autumn of 2011 and is meant to assist the unemployed in starting up a business. From summer 2011, the Employment, Skills and Enterprise Scheme, through the Work Programme, replaced the New Deal, the Flexible New Deal, the Intensive Activity Period and the Community Task Force. The Equality Act 2010, which came into effect in parts in October 2010, has introduced new rules relating to discrimination in the workplace, as follows. - It is illegal for employers to request information on the disability status or health of an applicant for work, unless the disability is a requirement for the work; or the information is required to determine reasonable adjustments to the employer s premises for a person with the disability; or the information is required for monitoring diversity in the workplace and/or promoting positive action in recruitment. - It will be illegal for persons providing goods and services to discriminate against older persons in the provision of those goods and services. This will include health and social care. This protection will not take effect until April 2012, as the Government is currently consulting on their implementation. - It is now possible for employers to use positive action in recruitment, to encourage diversity in their workforce, among equally suitable candidates. 2 Finding a job Many organisations can provide help and advice, for example in assessing your skills, informing you of opportunities for training, finding job vacancies, or helping you to complete application forms and learn interview skills. Some useful organisations are signposted below: Jobcentre Plus offices support people of all ages in finding work. They are also the point of access to unemployment and sickness benefits for people below State Pension age. They may be able to help with training needs, work trials, work experience and overcoming personal barriers to finding work. Factsheet 11 April of 28

4 Information, advice and guidance services provide advice on careers and training. See section 8 for more details. Citizens Advice (see section 8) can help you with advice about money, employment rights and personal barriers to finding work. Staff may be able to direct you to employment agencies. Recruitment agencies place people in temporary and permanent jobs. The service is free for people looking for work. Some agencies specialise in finding work for older people. Business Link and Enterprise Agencies help people become self-employed or start a business (see section 5). Private counselling services are targeted at professionals and can help you identify career options or improve your curriculum vitae (CV). These services can be expensive study the literature carefully to ensure that you understand what is offered and how it will help you. Independent financial advisers (IFAs) offer individual advice about financial planning, including pensions and financial products. They will be able to advise you how long to continue working to secure an adequate retirement income. IFAs may charge and/or make a commission from any products you buy through them. 2.1 Vacancies and job advertisements Vacancies are often advertised in Jobcentre Plus offices, recruitment agencies, national and local newspapers, trade magazines and the internet. Many of these may be available in your public library. Some national newspapers advertise different types of jobs on different days of the week. Some organisations advertise through a recruitment agency. Job advertisements usually ask you to request an application form and more information about the job. Some employers request a CV outlining your education and experience (usually no more than two sides of A4). Factsheet 11 April of 28

5 Write a draft before completing the application form, and find out as much as possible about the company to prepare for the interview. Use the person specification and job description, if they have been provided, to check whether you meet the requirements of the job and to structure your application. Think about all your experience, both paid and unpaid, when deciding whether you meet the criteria. 3 Age discrimination Since 1 October 2006, older people had been protected from discrimination in employment, training and education by the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations, but this has been replaced by The Equality Act 2010 parts of which came into effect on 1 October A summary of the law on age discrimination is given below but see Age UK s Factsheet 77- The law on age discrimination for full details. It is unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their age, either directly or indirectly, unless this can be justified. Indirect discrimination in employment happens when a condition, practice or requirement has a negative effect on a particular group and/or gives an advantage to another group employed by the same organisation. An employer can only justify discrimination on the grounds that it is towards achieving a legitimate aim by proportionate means. This means that the employer must be seen to be trying to achieve a lawful aim in good faith, by fair and adequate means. However, the law also allows a number of exemptions: Retirement age: Formerly, employers could refuse to recruit anyone who was over (or within six months of) their 65th birthday, based on the Default Retirement Age (DRA) the age limit, fixing retirement at the age of 65. The DRA was abolished in October However, employers may still insert a retirement age thereafter into individual contracts, which is now known as the employer justified retirement age (EJRA). This retirement age cannot be arbitrary and has to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim i.e it has to be objectively justified. Factsheet 11 April of 28

6 length of service benefits: Some employers link pay and benefits to length of service, which may discriminate against younger workers, but has been deemed lawful because of its legitimate aim of rewarding loyalty and experience. genuine occupational requirement: If the job advertised has specific age requirements, it will be legal for the employer to discriminate in favour of a person of the age required. positive action: Employers may decide to prevent or compensate for disadvantages to people of a certain age by targeting recruitment at that age group but the position must be open to all ages and selection should not be based on age alone. statutory authority: Employers can discriminate on grounds of age, if permitted by an existing law, e.g. requiring employees in certain positions to be over the age of 18. In summary, apart from these exemptions, an older person must not be discriminated against by being treated less favourably than others. There is also no justification for harassment or victimisation of an older person either during recruitment or after employment. Harassment here means unwanted conduct that makes a person feel degraded, threatened or humiliated; it may or may not be sexual. Victimisation refers to unfair treatment of a person when he/she takes steps towards dealing with discrimination, such as filing a complaint or giving evidence against discrimination. Generally, a recruitment advert may be deemed discriminatory in using words that exclude a particular group or terms that imply a preference towards certain groups of people, e.g. young and dynamic, vibrant, etc. For the same reason, employers should not ask for age information on application forms. It is now illegal to ask for information on health and disability of a disabled person during recruitment. At an interview, the questions must be seen to relate to your ability to do the job, not your age or any other characteristic, unless it is a genuine requirement of the job or covered by any of the exemptions listed above. Factsheet 11 April of 28

7 Action: If you feel you have been passed over for a job because of your age, you should seek expert legal advice. See section 9 for the telephone numbers for Age UK Advice who can give you contact details for a local Age UK, or contact one of the independent organisations listed in section 8. 4 Benefits and support from Jobcentre Plus Jobcentre Plus is the main Government agency for helping people to find work; it is also the agency that pays sickness and unemployment benefits to people of working age. People who are over the qualifying age for Pension Credit (PC) are usually better off claiming it, but are still entitled to use Jobcentre Plus services to find work. (The qualifying age is rising from 60 to 66 between April 2010 and October 2020.) Jobcentre Plus has a large national database of current job vacancies that you can access in three ways: visiting the Jobpoint at your local Jobcentre Plus or in some libraries or supermarkets telephoning Jobseeker Direct on or textphone: using their website: or Jobcentre Plus should be able to help you improve your CV, prepare for interviews, identify training and other opportunities to update your skills. If you have a disability that affects your search for work, you may be able to get support from the disability employment adviser at the Jobcentre Plus office. They can provide an employment assessment to identify what type of work or training suits you best, and refer you to other services to help you prepare for and find suitable work. 4.1 Jobseeker s Allowance You can claim Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA) if you are unemployed, or working less than 16 hours a week, and looking for work. There are two sorts of JSA: Factsheet 11 April of 28

8 contribution-based JSA, which is based on your National Insurance (NI) contribution record Income-based JSA, which is means-tested. You will receive NI credits while you are on JSA. Both types of JSA have taxable elements, but it is possible that not all of your JSA will be taxed. You cannot claim either type of JSA at the same time as Income Support (IS). You cannot claim income-based JSA at the same time as PC or incomerelated Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If you are a couple, one of you can claim contribution-based JSA (but not income-based JSA) if the other is claiming IS, income-related ESA or PC. See Age UK s Factsheet 48, Pension Credit, Factsheet 80, Employment and Support Allowance, and Factsheet 56, Benefits for people under State Pension age, for more information. Action: If you have a choice of benefits to claim, seek independent advice to work out which is best for you. See section 9 to find the telephone numbers for Age UK Advice who can give you contact details for a local Age UK, or contact one of the independent organisations listed in section Qualifying for JSA To qualify for JSA you must: be under State Pension age be unemployed or working for less than 16 hours a week be available for work, actively seeking work and have a Jobseeker s Agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) not have limited capability for work under the ESA rules (although in some circumstances people who are sick and have gone abroad for NHS treatment can get JSA) not be in full-time education (although there are some exceptions to this) be in Great Britain (although JSA can sometimes be paid if you are away temporarily, and can be exported if you are unemployed and looking for work in a European Economic Area - EEA - country). Factsheet 11 April of 28

9 4.1.2 Contribution-based JSA Contribution-based JSA is paid for a maximum of 26 weeks. The weekly rate for people aged 25 or over is In general, income and savings are not taken into account for contribution-based JSA, but if you have earnings (e.g. from part-time employment or self-employment), or an occupational/personal pension your JSA may be reduced. Earnings are deducted in full from your benefit apart from a disregard of 5 per week ( 20 for a few specified occupations). If you have a pension, the first 50 per week is ignored, but any amount above 50 is deducted in full Income-based JSA Income-based JSA can be paid on top of contribution-based JSA, or on its own if you are not entitled to contribution-based JSA or it has already been paid for 26 weeks. Income-based JSA tops your income up to a level set by the Government. There are some extra rules for income-based JSA: your income must be less than your applicable amount (see below) you must have no more than 16,000 savings your partner must be unemployed or working for less than 24 hours a week you must be habitually resident, have the right to reside in the UK and not be subject to immigration control. Income-based JSA is calculated by comparing your needs ( applicable amount ) with your income and savings. If your income is less than your applicable amount you will be entitled to income-based JSA to make up the difference. Applicable amount: Your applicable amount represents the needs of you and your family. It includes a personal allowance (single or couple rate), plus premiums, plus housing costs. Premiums are paid if any special circumstances apply to you or your partner, like getting disability benefits or being a carer. Housing costs can be included if you are a home owner with a mortgage, ground rent or service charges. You may have to wait before housing costs are included and they may only be paid for a limited period. Factsheet 11 April of 28

10 Your partner s income and savings are taken into account as well as your own, although some types of income and savings are ignored in part or in full. Savings above 6,000 are assumed to produce an income of 1 for every 250 above 6, Joint-claim JSA Some couples, where both partners are unemployed, have to claim jointclaim JSA instead of income-based JSA. The rules are similar to those for income-based JSA and both partners usually have to satisfy the conditions for getting JSA, although there are some exceptions, including for carers, people who are sick or disabled, and part-time workers JSA, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit If you receive income-based JSA or joint-claim JSA you will be automatically entitled ( passported ) to maximum Housing Benefit (if you rent your home) and Council Tax Benefit. See Age UK s Factsheet 56, Benefits for people under State Pension age, for more information or Factsheet 17, Housing and Council Tax Benefit, for detailed information about the rules if you are over Pension Credit qualifying age (which is rising from 60 to 66 between 2010 and 2020) Claims, sanctions and Jobseeker s Agreements Claim JSA by phone as soon as you become entitled because backdating is not usually possible. There is a rapid reclaim process for people who have stopped getting JSA in the last 26 weeks and want to claim it again. You can claim JSA in England by phoning or online at Your details will be taken and you will be given an appointment at your local Jobcentre Plus office. Your personal adviser will draw up a Jobseeker s Agreement with you, which will set out the type of work you are looking for, and the steps you will take to find work and improve your job prospects. As part of the agreement, you will normally be expected to take at least two steps towards finding work each week; for example, making a job application or registering with a recruitment agency. Factsheet 11 April of 28

11 If your personal adviser feels you are not keeping to the Jobseeker s Agreement you can be sanctioned and your benefit can be reduced, or lost altogether, for a period. You can also be sanctioned if you gave up your last job voluntarily or lost it through misconduct. Hardship payments may be available if you are sanctioned. You will normally be required to attend a job search review every two weeks to sign on and demonstrate that you have been taking active steps to find work. You may be asked to sign on weekly for a period once you have been claiming JSA for 13 weeks. Your personal adviser will be able to help with writing a CV; finding training or education; contacting employers; checking Jobpoints or the internet for information about careers, jobs and training; looking at the jobs section of the local newspaper; preparing for interviews or meetings with employers; and getting help with childcare, health or financial problems. They will also be able to advise you if you are eligible for any training or employment programmes (see below) or for other help, such as money for travel costs Back to work benefits When you do find work, your benefits may not stop immediately. You may be entitled to: mortgage interest run-on for four weeks extended payments of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for four weeks a job grant of 100 or 250 a return-to-work or in-work credit of 40 or 60 per week for one year. Other forms of support may be introduced from time to time. Check whether you qualify for any of these benefits with your local Jobcentre Plus office or Work Programme provider. Factsheet 11 April of 28

12 4.2 Training provided through Jobcentre Plus Free training may be available through Jobcentre Plus, either as part of the New Deal or as a separate programme if you have been receiving a benefit for more than six months (not all benefits entitle you to the training so you should ask your adviser for more information). In some circumstances you will be eligible before you have been receiving benefits for six months, for example if you have problems with basic skills, are part of a large-scale redundancy, or have been out of the labour market as a parent or carer. Independent training providers provide training on behalf of Jobcentre Plus. You can also sign up directly with a training provider, but Jobcentre Plus will still need to check you are eligible. Some training is provided at programme centres that offer packages of support for up to three months. Each centre delivers a wide range of options and your Jobcentre Plus adviser will select a combination suited to your needs; for example techniques for getting a job or getting help with debt, disability or adult education. Centres also have free facilities to help you look for work, such as photocopiers, phones and stamps. While you are on a course you will be able to claim for travel expenses. 4.3 The Employment, Skills and Enterprise Scheme The Employment, Skills and Enterprise Scheme, through the Work Programme, replaced the New Deal, the Flexible New Deal, the Intensive Activity Period and the Community Task Force. The workings of this scheme are contained in a new law called the Jobseeker s Allowance (Employment, Skills and Enterprise Scheme) Regulations The whole purpose of this programme being to assist people to obtain claiming jobseekers allowance get into employment or self-employment, using a number of means including assistance with job searches and work experience. Factsheet 11 April of 28

13 There are two initiatives which the Government operates through the scheme, they are: The Work Programme This is a mandatory work experience scheme, which employers can sign on, to take on those required by the Government to participate in the programme. The main purpose being to assist those participating to find permanent work. The programme is run by Jobcentre Plus, using a number of different providers, around the UK. These organisations are paid based on the number of claimants they help back into employment. If you have claimed Jobseekers allowance for up to 12 months, or are at a disadvantage (e.g. disability), have claimed incapacity benefit after claiming jobseekers allowance for 3 months, you are required to join this programme. Claimants who are receiving Employment and Support allowance (ESA) but are not required to participate, as well as those on income support or incapacity benefit (In England), may volunteer to participate in the programme The Skills Conditionality Programme This is another mandatory programme, where jobseekers with an identified need to update their skills are required to attend training to obtain those skills, or lose their benefits. If you are identified as requiring training by Jobcentre Plus, to acquire or update your skills, you will be required to obtain this training from a recognised training provider (such as Colleges, Private Training companies etc) The sector-based work academies This is another programme, (managed by Jobcentre Plus) where jobseekers receive training in specific sectors or occupations (such as catering, engineering etc) geared towards preparing them for employment, as well as work experience and a guaranteed interview. While it is voluntary, once a jobseeker accepts to enrol on the programme, it becomes mandatory. Factsheet 11 April of 28

14 Training under the academies is provided by Colleges and other Skills Funding Agency Training providers. Application to enrol on the sector based academies is open to claimants of JSA and ESA WRAG. 4.4 Working Tax Credit Working Tax Credit tops up the income of people who are working (employed or self-employed) but who have low earnings. To qualify for tax credits you have to work a certain number of hours each week and have a sufficiently low income. The number of hours you have to work may be 16, 24 or 30 depending on your personal circumstances (whether you have a disability, whether you have a dependant child/children, whether you have a partner, whether you are a carer, and your age). The amount of Working Tax Credit you get also depends on your circumstances. Tax Credits are administered by Her Majesty s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). You have to fill in a claim form for Tax Credits. You can get a claim pack from the Tax Credit Helpline on or textphone Starting a business/self-employment Self-employment or starting your own business could be a good way to use your knowledge and skills to earn money or turn a hobby or passion into a way of life. There is plenty of help and support available. PRIME, a charity linked with Age UK, is specifically designed to help people over 50 become self-employed or start a business. The website provides information and ideas, including case studies of people who have set up businesses with PRIME s help, and guidance on, for example, how to deal with common business pitfalls. You can also ring the freephone number for further information. PRIME publishes a practical guide to finding the right business or selfemployment idea Ideas for business, and a free 50-plus business pack. You can download these from the website or call the freephone number to request a copy. Factsheet 11 April of 28

15 Another useful site for people considering self-employment is Social enterprise A social enterprise is a business with a social purpose. Its profits are reinvested in that social purpose rather than taken by the owner or shareholders. Social enterprises are businesses, they are not supported by grants, but they are a good option if you want to put something back into the community. See for more information. 5.2 Franchises You may want to consider a business franchise. The advantages are that the product has already proved itself and may be well known but there may be disadvantages in the constraints of the legal agreement you make. You need independent legal advice when considering a franchise. See for impartial advice on franchising. 5.3 Direct selling Direct selling is a method of selling goods to the customer, usually face to face by demonstrating the product in the home or leaving a catalogue with them. Avon is probably the most well-known direct selling company, but there are many others. Direct sellers are self-employed and can choose how much time they want to put into selling. As you do not have to buy stock, it is not expensive to start: you collect the money and put in an order to the company. However, you need to be confident that you can sell and are able to cope with rejection. Beware of exaggerated claims that you can make a lot of money this way. Very few people do, and they manage a team of sellers. One way to ensure the company you work with is genuine is to check with the Direct Selling Association ( Its members have a code of ethics and the Association has useful advice for people thinking of taking this route. Factsheet 11 April of 28

16 5.4 Help from Jobcentre Plus Jobcentre Plus has access to a vast amount of information that may assist you to set up your own business, such as opportunities, funding options and skills development. In addition, Jobcentre Plus, can introduce you to local Enterprise Clubs in your area, which are run by local businesses to assist you in setting up your own business. If you have been out of work for at least six months, you could be eligible for the 50-plus element of Working Tax Credit for the first 52 weeks after you start your business, if your profit forecast is below a minimum level. Other parts of Working Tax Credit will continue to be paid if you are eligible, but any income from savings and investments will affect the amount you are paid. PRIME publishes a guide to Working Tax Credit and 50-plus selfemployment. 5.5 Support from Business Link Help is also available direct from Business Link, the government enterprise agency, which now falls under the responsibility of the Regional Development Agencies. Business Link is usually bigger than other enterprise agencies, and often contracts them to provide a local business start-up support service. All enterprise agencies provide free business support, training and advice to help you set up a business. Many offer a mentoring service after you have started your business. After you have been trading for a while, they may begin to charge you for advice and information. Each Business Link or enterprise agency has a slightly different process. Some may offer a one or two-day courses followed by counselling and advice, others start with counselling or advice sessions. There may be optional training courses, and some will have areas where you can work on your plan. Factsheet 11 April of 28

17 The Business Link or enterprise agency will help you with your business plan. This will include a careful estimate of anticipated income and expenditure over the first years of your business, based on your market research. You will be helped to think through what you need to know and find out, but you will have to do the research. The Government has introduced the New Enterprise Allowance, which is an allowance meant to assist you set up a business if you are unemployed. This is being managed by Business Link. PRIME is in partnership with many Business Links and enterprise agencies and will signpost you to its nearest partner through its website: or its helpline (free call). You can also find the nearest Business Link or enterprise agency in your local telephone directory or the Business Link website ( You need to remember that at some point you will want to retire. From the beginning you should think about how you will fund your retirement and consider including pension provision in your business plan. Again, PRIME can offer some help on this. The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) can also advise on this. See section 8 for contact details. If you need to borrow money, the lender usually a bank will look very carefully at your business plan to assess whether you are likely to be able to pay it back. Banks may not be willing to lend money if you have a poor or no credit rating, or no collateral (e.g. a house that could be re-mortgaged if things went wrong). PRIME runs a loan fund with for people over 50 who cannot borrow money from a bank (see You may also be able to get a loan from a Community Development Finance Institution. These are regulated non-profit organisations that provide financial services to disadvantaged groups or to promote business in particular areas. PRIME can provide more information or you can visit the website of the Community Development Finance Association at Factsheet 11 April of 28

18 Once you have started trading you may be eligible for Working Tax Credit. If your business plan projects a low income, or things are not going as well as you planned, you can claim, and if eligible, will get paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Make sure your claim is based on your current financial circumstances. PRIME produces a leaflet Working Tax Credit: a brief guide for self-employed people over the age of 50. For the self-employed, Working Tax Credit is paid on the basis of your projected profits, any savings, and your partner s income or savings. As your circumstances change you will need to inform HM Revenue & Customs (see section 8). You will also need to know about legal steps, such as forming a company, tax and VAT issues. The Business Link or enterprise agency can give you advice and HM Revenue & Customs now has special teams to help new businesses. They will also answer questions about tax and VAT. Remember: At some point you will want to retire. So from the beginning you should think about how you will fund your retirement and consider including pension provision in your business plan. PRIME and The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) can both advise on this. See section 8 for contact details. 6 Volunteering Volunteering has some significant practical advantages when you are looking for work: Regular volunteering keeps you in a work-based routine, which will help you adjust when you do find a job. When you are making a job application, you can use your volunteering to fill gaps in your CV and demonstrate your experience. This may also be an opportunity to gain new skills. In many cases you will be able to claim expenses. There are many different ways in which you can volunteer, for example, with clerical or administrative duties, fundraising or practical tasks such as delivering meals on wheels, gardening, etc. Factsheet 11 April of 28

19 A list of voluntary organisations in your area may be available from your local reference library, Volunteer Bureau, Council for Voluntary Service or Jobcentre Plus. You can find details of your local Volunteer Bureau or Centre through Volunteering England. The website: also provides links to other volunteering ideas. You can find details of your local Council for Voluntary Service through the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) encourages people over 50 to participate in volunteering and matches people to volunteering opportunities. REACH finds part-time, expenses-only jobs anywhere in Britain for retired people with business or professional experience who want to work as volunteers with charities needing their expertise. See section 8 for details of these and other volunteering organisations. If you are receiving benefits Jobcentre Plus will also be able to advise you about volunteering opportunities. If you are on New Deal 50 Plus your Adviser may include volunteering as part of the package. If you are receiving JSA you still need to look for work and be available to take up paid employment at short notice. 7 Career guidance If you are looking for work or considering a career change you can get advice and guidance on your options, including training and education. Learndirect is a government service providing a free national advice line and website and a network of online learning centres across the UK (tel: (free call) and website: It gives free, confidential and impartial information and advice to adults wanting to improve their existing skills or learn new ones. Advisers will also be able to advise you on job-hunting and options for funding training or education, and they can point you to local advice agencies if you need more detailed help. Learndirect runs a programme of courses, most of which are available online and so can be followed at home or at a Learndirect centre. Factsheet 11 April of 28

20 You can also receive careers and training advice through your local Nextstep, the information, advice and guidance service funded by the Learning and Skills Council. You can find your local Nextstep on the website: or through the Skills Funding Agency. See section 8 for details. The Nextsteps Careers advice service is being replaced by a new Adult Advancement and Careers Service. If you receive tax credits or a state benefit, such as PC, JSA or ESA, you should be eligible for a discount on courses that receive government funding. If you have been receiving benefits for more than six months, or have joined a New Deal programme, free learning opportunities are usually available through Jobcentre Plus. For details of higher education opportunities contact the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) on or at You will need to pay tuition fees but you may be entitled to a reduction if you have a low income. There is no upper age limit for eligibility for a student loan to cover tuition fees, but for a student loan for maintenance (living costs), you must be under age 60 at the start of your course. You no longer have to confirm that you intend to look for work on completing the course, which used to be the case for people over 50. You may also be eligible for a student grant. 8 Useful organisations Age Positive Promotes age diversity in employment, shares good practice with employers, and researches into older workers in the employment market. Its publications can be found on the Business Link and DWP websites Website: Factsheet 11 April of 28

21 Business Innovation and Skills Department The government department responsible for Skills development, Innovation, Business and Science. Telephone: Website: Business Link Provides advice and training on setting up a business. Helpline: Website: Citizens Advice Helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice. Details of your local office can be found on the website. Tel: (for contact details only not telephone advice) Websites: for local CAB details for online information Department for Work and Pensions The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for welfare and pension policy Website: Employers Forum on Age (EFA) Independent network of employers who recognise the business value of attracting and retaining experienced employees regardless of their age. Advice and practical support on managing the skills and age mix of their organisation. Campaigns range from improving flexible retirement policies to influencing the forthcoming age discrimination legislation. Tel: Website: Factsheet 11 April of 28

22 HM Revenue & Customs Tax Credits Helpline Tel: Textphone: Website: Jobcentre Plus Provides details of job vacancies. Tel: Website: Jobseekers Direct Tel: Website: National Association for Voluntary and Community Action NAVCA is the national voice of local support and development organisations in England. They champion and strengthen voluntary and community action by supporting their members in work with over 160,000 local charities and community groups. Tel: Website: Next Step A network of local services funded by the Learning and Skills Council to help people improve their career prospects by learning new skills, retraining or gaining new qualifications. Tel: Website: Factsheet 11 April of 28

23 Online Volunteering Managed by the United Nations Volunteers programme, online volunteers work from home to provide services such as translation, research and creating web pages to non-governmental organisations in developing countries. Website: Pay and Work Rates Helpline Helpline: The Pension Service Pension Credit application line details below. Helpline: (free call) Website: PRIME A national organisation dedicated to helping people aged over 50 set up in business and a linked charity with Age UK. Tel: Website: Website: Reach Brings together voluntary organisations and experienced people who want to offer their career skills as volunteers. It recruits volunteers with managerial, technical and professional expertise to benefit voluntary organisations. Tel: Website: Factsheet 11 April of 28

24 Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) Places people in later life as volunteers in their local communities. 237 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9NJ Tel: Website: Skills Funding Agency The government agency responsible for funding and regulating adult further education and skills training in England Tel: Website: Social Enterprise Coalition The UK s national body for social enterprise, provides information on the social enterprise business model. Tel: Website: Social Enterprise London Provides relevant information about social enterprises in London. Tel: Website: The Age & Employment Network (TAEN) TAEN has a membership of 250 organisations and groups across the country, including recruitment agencies, careers guidance agencies and employers, that represent the leading UK expertise in helping older people to overcome barriers of discrimination and realise their aims and ambitions. Tel: Website: Factsheet 11 April of 28

25 The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) An independent, non-profit organisation that provides free information, advice and guidance on pensions, including state, company, personal and stakeholder schemes. Tel: Website: Timebank A national charity that connects people who want to volunteer with organisations who need them. Website: Volunteering England The national volunteer development agency for England. Promotes and enables volunteering and community involvement. Tel: Website: Working Tax Credits Helpline: Textphone: Website: Factsheet 11 April of 28

26 9 Further information from Age UK Age UK Information Materials Age UK publishes a large number of free Information Guides and Factsheets on a range of subjects including money and benefits, health, social care, consumer issues, end of life, legal, issues employment and equality issues. Whether you need information for yourself, a relative or a client our information guides will help you find the answers you are looking for and useful organisations who may be able to help. You can order as many copies of guides as you need and organisations can place bulk orders. Our factsheets provide detailed information if you are an adviser or you have a specific problem. Age UK Advice Visit the Age UK website, or call Age UK Advice free on if you would like: further information about our full range of information products to order copies of any of our information materials to request information in large print and audio expert advice if you cannot find the information you need in this factsheet contact details for your nearest local Age UK Factsheet 11 April of 28

27 Age UK Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged. We provide advice and information for people in later life through our, publications, online or by calling Age UK Advice. Age UK Advice: Website: In Wales, contact: Age Cymru: Website: In Scotland, contact: Age Scotland: Website: In Northern Ireland, contact: Age NI: Website: Support our work Age UK is the largest provider of services to older people in the UK after the NHS. We make a difference to the lives of thousands of older people through local resources such as our befriending schemes, day centres and lunch clubs; by distributing free information materials; and taking calls at Age UK Advice on If you would like to support our work by making a donation please call Supporter Services on (8.30 am 5.30 pm) or visit Factsheet 11 April of 28

28 Legal statement Age UK is a registered charity (number ) and company limited by guarantee (number ). The registered address is Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA. VAT number: Age Concern England (charity number ) and Help the Aged (charity number ) and their trading and other associated companies merged on 1 April Together they have formed Age UK, a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of people in later life. Age Concern and Help the Aged are brands of Age UK. The three national Age Concerns in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have also merged with Help the Aged in these nations to form three registered charities: Age Scotland, Age Northern Ireland, Age Cymru. Disclaimer and copyright information This factsheet has been prepared by Age UK and contains general advice only which we hope will be of use to you. Nothing in this factsheet should be construed as the giving of specific advice and it should not be relied on as a basis for any decision or action. Age UK does not accept any liability arising from its use. We aim to ensure the information is as up to date and accurate as possible, but please be warned that certain areas are subject to change from time to time. Please note that the inclusion of named agencies, companies, products, services or publications in this factsheet does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Age UK. Age UK. All rights reserved. This factsheet may be reproduced in whole or in part in unaltered form by local Age UK with due acknowledgement to Age UK. No other reproduction in any form is permitted without written permission from Age UK. Factsheet 11 April of 28