Travel to Interview Expenses

[wndzr]

Hello

 

I'm just enquiring about the Job Centre's ability to pay for travel expenses to an interview. I have an interview in Edinburgh but I live in Manchester. My 'Work Coach' has advised the Job Centre will pay for my travel, but they will only pay for the train.

 

The train works out to be nearly three times as much time travelling as going by plane, but it's also more expensive.

 

Having done some research, it seems the money comes out of a 'Flexible Support Fund' but information about this is very scarce as it seems to be allocated at a local level by District Managers. I'm wondering if anybody has experience of this or if they can give me some more information?

 

Ideally I'd like to get all travel expenses paid for as it seems stupid to have a means of reclaiming the cost but not using it.

 

Thanks

[SabreSheep]

They will pay cheapest public transport fare to get u there and back.

[wndzr]

Which in my case would be the flight.

 

I'm assuming if the train was only fractionally cheaper they would insist on that, despite the fact sitting for nearly 5 hours on a train is not conducive to being ready and prepared for an interview?

[Mr.P]

National Express coaches: 6Hr20min each way, return price: £48.50 (approx)

Rail, changing at Preston: 3Hr20min each way, return price: £72.40 off peak, £128.60 all day

Air (flybe): 1Hr10min flight time, return price from: £105.15

 

On top of quoted travel time, one would need to factor in travel to/from airport or train/bus station and check in times. Coach would be the cheapest, but isn't really practical. Whilst flying may be quicker once boarded, I suspect the DWP would baulk at funding the cost as soon as you mention flying. So that leaves the train as the most likely option. To be honest, three hours on a train isn't too bad and you could use the time to prepare for the interview or catch some sleep.

[wndzr]

Heard from the Job Centre today, they are happy to pay for the flight on the basis that it's the most convenient, in terms of the shortest journey time. They said themselves that it's unlikely I'd be ready and prepared for interview having spent so long on a train.

[numbers666]

Heard from the Job Centre today, they are happy to pay for the flight on the basis that it's the most convenient, in terms of the shortest journey time. They said themselves that it's unlikely I'd be ready and prepared for interview having spent so long on a train.

 

Get this in writing not just verbal...

[Guest]

seeing is believing......they are going to pay up front yes? you dont have to pay and then claim it back?....then not get it back as it wasn't confirmed in writing?.....forgive me I am so untrusting with these people/depts.

[wndzr]

Sorry for the late responses.

 

I booked my travel on Friday 26 September for the following Monday. I was told the money would be in my account on Thursday the following week (4th October) - it was there without any trouble at all.

 

Full reimbursement of £105 for the flight to Edinburgh.

 

They have also agreed to pay for my train to an interview in London on Wednesday - £88. I've already bought a ticket and they processed the paperwork this morning to send off for reimbursement so I expect to get that before the end of the week.

 

There was some confusion/trouble this morning though as the lady I saw had recently took over my case so clearly was not aware of all the background.

 

Last week, I had approval in principle from my work coach who I have been seeing since I started attending the Job Centre to purchase the travel for my interview to London. This came to the amount above. I proceeded to book the train on the basis that waiting until the last minute will inevitably mean the price of the fare increases.

 

When I went in today to see this new woman, I thought she was about to have a heart attack when she found out I had already purchased the ticket and was adamant that I'm now not entitled to a refund because clearly I can afford to pay. She told me I should not have booked the travel but instead got a 'Rail Warrant because it is far cheaper'.

 

I know two things:

 

(1) I had approval from my work coach to book the travel and have it reimbursed. I've had travel reimbursed previously so there's precedent.

(2) A rail warrant is not cheaper, it is simply a ticket I present to the station who will exchange it for a train ticket. There are no discounts when using a rail warrant.

 

The woman was fuming and marched off to see her manager. I've seen her manager lots of time and he's a very nice chap - he also took my previous employer to an employment tribunal before starting his job at the JC so we had lots to talk about. Anyway, she marches back over visibly fuming because she had been told I had followed the correct process and she should proceed to reimburse me.

 

I was silently quite smug.

 

I provided them with scanned copies of the train tickets, a very detailed journey planner showing my departure and arrival times, alternative means of travel including pros/cons.

 

Anyway, it's clear she for whatever reason took some personal dislike to me, or at least that's what it felt like. It was reassuring for me to know that her manager and my previous work coach had backed me up especially given I had provided a huge amount of evidence.

[essexmat]

They DESPISE people that (a) know rules and regulations and (b) follow correct protocol and © stick up for themselves i.e. like you and me and many others on here. They thrive on picking off the weak and those unable to defend themselves and those are the people that get sanctioned. Good for you and glad you are showing you are not an easy touch - if we were all able to be like this the JCP/DWP would hate it, but, as stated, they thrive on picking on the weak.

[wndzr]

Been pondering this for most of the afternoon. Only now have I realised two things...

 

(1) The way in which I was dealt with this morning was frankly very rude and unprofessional. I should not be made to feel like I am doing something wrong, especially when I have gone above and beyond to prove the legitimacy of my claim.

 

(2) I have no idea when I will get the money. It's just dawned on me that she said 'the travel claim will not be processed until after your interview so you need to come in again' - but she couldn't book me in any time other than my next appointment which is 17th October. Expecting me to wait this long for a reimbursement of £88 is frankly stupid.

 

As a result I rang the DWP Complaints line this afternoon and spoke to a chap in Telford. He was very professional and made detailed notes about what I was saying and even he said it was clear I had provided a wealth of evidence for them so there should be no reason why I was treated so rudely.

 

I think the lady in question needs some extra coaching (maybe I could be her work coach! ) in how to deal with people.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Have you got it in writing you will be reimbursed - or still only verbal.

[wndzr]

Have you got it in writing you will be reimbursed - or still only verbal.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by you mean in writing. I filled out a travel form today that had all of my details on, with the price and was signed by myself? In hindsight this perhaps doesn't mean much but I intend to chase them relentlessly until I know more.

[Lilly_Monroe]

I'm not sure what you mean by you mean in writing. I filled out a travel form today that had all of my details on, with the price and was signed by myself? In hindsight this perhaps doesn't mean much but I intend to chase them relentlessly until I know more.

 

 

You will not get the cost back until after the interview and they have checked with the company that you attended ( I know a few people who have had help with transport costs, but always had to wait until after).

I believe they used to fund up front but sadly the system was abused.

[jasta11]

The woman was fuming and marched off to see her manager. I've seen her manager lots of time and he's a very nice chap - he also took my previous employer to an employment tribunal before starting his job at the JC so we had lots to talk about. Anyway, she marches back over visibly fuming because she had been told I had followed the correct process and she should proceed to reimburse me.

 

Need to keep well in with that JC manager, he sounds a decent one - he probably already knows the woman adviser is a bit of a misery guts too.