Unemployment advice

The Government has produced guidance for people who were employed and self employed, who have lost their job due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Guidance for EmployeesGuidance for Self-Employed

Redundancy is a form of dismissal from your job and happens when employers need to reduce their workforce.

You can calculate how much statutory redundancy you can get. It’s based on age, weekly pay and number of years in the job. Click below to access the redundancy calculator. 

Redundancy Calculator

You only qualify for statutory redundancy pay if you’ve worked for your employer for at least 2 years. For more information on your redundancy rights, click here.

You can find full or part-time jobs in England, Scotland and Wales using the ‘Find a job’ service from the DWP and the St Albans Jobcentre. The Herts Opportunities Service can tell you about current vacancies across Hertfordshire. 

DWP - Find for a Job St Albans Jobcentre  - Find a Job Careers In Hertfordshire

Herts Opportunities Portal Jobs at St Albans Council

Job Help can help you find hints and tips on applying for jobs, search for roles and offer useful advice.

Job Help 

The Kickstart Scheme is a 6 month paid job with a local employer, funded by the Government. It provides a fully funded opportunity for you to get experience of working in one of the UK’s most exciting companies.

Jobs from the Kickstart Scheme will be open to people 16-24 years old, who are claiming Universal Credit, and are at risk of long term unemployment. If you have a work coach they will talk to you about the Kickstart Scheme and whether it’s right for you. The first jobs should be available from November 2020. 

Kickstart - Find out More

Developing new skills, building on your existing ones and expanding your professional knowledge can be an important way of securing employment.

The National Careers Service can help you with your career, learning and training choices by providing information, advice and guidance. For more information, see here.

Free digital and numeracy courses are available to build your skills.See here for details.

The Skills Support for Redundancy programme run by SERCO can provide you with access to funded skills training, retraining and careers guidance to help you get back into employment. Click here for details.

Futures For You are working hard across the East of England to help those affected by the current crisis to get back into work and training. For more information, please see here.

Oaklands College offer courses that could help build your skills to reenter the workplace. Apprenticeships are a way to 'earn while you learn' by providing on the job training and development in a variety of sectors. Courses targeted at adult learners are available. Fee concessions are also available for people who are unemployed and on a recognised benefit for selected courses. Please talk to an Oaklands student advisor concerning this.

CoursesApprenticeshipsAdult Learners

For further information on apprenticeships, please see here and here.

Thinking of starting your own business? The St Albans Enterprise Agency can offer advice and guidance.

St Albans Enterprise Agency

Wenta, a Not-for-profit, social enterprise organisation, are continuing to run a wide variety of FREE skills training webinars on subjects from ‘starting a business’ to ‘social media’, ‘websites’ and ‘finance’ to support anyone in or considering self-employment.

Wenta Training 

Keeping on top of your finances during a period of unemployment is vital. 

Find out more about how you can support your income.

Universal CreditJob Seekers AllowanceCouncil Tax Support

Call the Universal Credit Help to Claim line on 08001448444 to check the best time to claim.

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to apply for Universal Credit instead. Check you are eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

Housing Benefit

Our benefits calculator will help you find out what benefits you can claim.

Benefits Calculator  

If you are claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, you need to tell us about changes in your circumstances straight away. A change may affect how much you can claim.

Tell us about a change in circumstances here. 

Hertfordshire County Council’s Money Advice Unit latest factsheet includes help, advice and updates for people affected by coronavirus . In addition, the Unit is also providing a Universal Credit online training course, which is available to anyone who works with people living in Hertfordshire.

HCC Factsheet HCC Universal Credit Training 

If you are worried about debt, please contact the national debt line on 0808 808 4000.

Debt Line

The impact on your finances caused by unemployment may impact the security of your accommodation.

If you are threatened with homelessness, need housing advice or our now eligible to apply to the St Albans Housing Register, please see below. 

Housing Support

We know unemployment can be a worrying time. Find out more how you can get support from our partners to improve your health, wellbeing and job search.

Partner ServicesHealth and WellbeingSt Albans Food Bank   Mind - Herts

If your financial circumstances have changed, your children may now be eligible for free school meals. Click here to find out more.

Our colleagues at Citizens Advice and Communities 1st also offer a variety of support services.

Citizens AdviceCommunities 1st  Coronavirus - What it means for You