WIll I be better of working?? I'm on benefits and really want to work but am worried bout rent etc...?

i really really want a job....im on jsa and housing beneifit, but will i be better off if im working?? i'm really worried about how i'll cope with rent etc .......thanks

I am looking for work everyday actually....and have been doing so for months and attending various interviews

Hi I work for benefits, there is lots of help you can get if you start work and you are on a low income. To start with when your JSA stops you can claim an EPP, and extended payment period, this will pay your rent and council tax for 4 weeks at the same rate you had when you were claiming JSA regardless of your new income. After then if you have a low wage you can still claim housing and council tax benefit but they may not pay all of it. If you have children you can claim child tax credit they will also help with any childcare costs you need to pay. If have children or not you can claim working tax credit which is based on the amount of money you earn.
All in all you will get less benefit the more you earn but as an overall total income, you will always be better off working than you would claiming JSA.
If you log on tothe council web site below this is who I work for) have the wage you expect to earn to hand and you can get a rough idea of any money you would be entitled to including aproposed working tax credit amount, for this site go to benefits and then benefits calculator.
If you privately rent, talk to your council about how much the new LHA rate would be for your property as when you claim after the 4 week EPP your new claim would fall under LHA.
Good luck to you

In the long run you will be better off - have you made an appointment with your local job centre - they will be able to advise you on your best options.
I am sure you will be able to get help with things for the first few weeks with rent etc..when you first get a job.
You don't say what other benifits but if you claim tax credits it will change to working tax credits.
I'm not really to sure of everyhing - but make an appointment and they will advise you.
Good luck

sometimes you may think your better off but jobcentre will hound you and its not really worth it, gettting a job is harder than it sounds but you'll meet new people and have self respect, you can go round telling people you work wherever if not yo can say im on the dole not great is it,

but its hard finding a decent job you'll like i say try anyway.

Job Seekers Allowance is for people who are looking for work. If you are not doing that then you are fraudulently claiming the benefit.

OF COURSE you should work - theres nothing wrong with you (otherwise you would be claiming DSA). We all have to think about our rent and if you cant afford it then you have to move to somewhere within your means. Why should I be paying your rent when I work my butt off to pay mine every month?