New Deal for Long-Term Unemployed/New Deal 25 Plus

The New Deal for Long-term Unemployed, or New Deal 25 Plus as it is also known, is a scheme intended to support people who have been unemployed for a long period of time in finding a suitable job and returning to work. If you are under twenty-five years old then you can be assisted by the New Deal for Young People (see New Deal for Young People). If you are over twenty-five years old but have not yet reached State Pension Age then New Deal 25 Plus can help you in your job search. You might be able to, or required to, participate in this scheme. In some cases your benefits will be reduced or stopped altogether if you refuse to take part.

New Deal 25 Plus will help you to improve your self-confidence, develop new skills and find a suitable long-term job or start up your own business. You will be assisted by a personal advisor who can guide you and answer any questions you may have. You can also request a mentor in addition to your personal advisor. Your mentor can discuss your worries and ideas and ensure that you are supported in making the decisions that will most benefit you.

Initially you will take part in the ‘gateway’ programme. This stage usually lasts around sixteen weeks and is the stage with the most personal advisor contact. You will have weekly meetings with your advisor to determine your best course of action during your job search, and have an opportunity to discuss your preferences, skills, limitations and aspirations. The gateway stage is intended to help you develop a clear plan for finding suitable employment. You will be given assistance with compiling a CV, and you can discuss potential jobs with your personal advisor. If you have incurred travel costs that are difficult for you to cover, perhaps coming to meetings or attending job interviews, you might be given extra money to help you pay these expenses.

The second phase of New Deal 25 Plus is the ‘intensive activity period’; this stage usually lasts at least thirteen weeks. If you were unsuccessful finding suitable employment during the gateway stage, the intensive activity stage will focus on the skills you need to acquire in order to ensure more success in the job market. You may be advised on interview techniques, possible training schemes to build new skills, and work experience you could do to improve your CV and increase your chances of finding paid work. Your personal advisor is there to help you, and will be able to assist you in choosing the training and work experience best suited to your skills and ambitions. You will be offered careers advice based on your individual situation, and where possible, work experience and work training will reflect your interests. Your chances of finding employment should be significantly improved following the intensive activity period. You do not have to take part in the intensive activity period if you are over sixty years old, but you are naturally entitled to participate if you wish. Whilst in the intensive activity period, you may be entitled to an extra benefit to reward your ongoing efforts.

Following the gateway stage and the intensive activity period you will be moved onto the ‘follow-through’ stage if you have been unable to find paid work. This stage can last up to thirteen weeks, and offers you extra help and guidance on your job search. You will continue to be supported in your efforts to find work, and your individual case will be reviewed to ensure that you have considered all the potential pathways to help you gain employment.

The intention of the New Deal 25 Plus scheme is to assist the long-term unemployed in finding suitable paid work. You must make the necessary effort to help yourself and put in the work required to ensure your ongoing search for jobs is a success. If you do not make the effort you should, fail to do what your advisor asks of you or fail to attend your meetings and interviews, your benefits may be reduced or stopped altogether. You will not be entitled to Jobseeker’s Allowance if you demonstrate that you are not actively seeking employment.

Your advisor will help you to ensure that you will have more money when you are working than if you were to continue to rely on benefits. When you are working your benefits will not all stop automatically: you may be entitled to continue receiving some, whilst others may no longer be needed. Your advisor will be able to answer any questions you have relating to your benefits.

If you are interested in the New Deal scheme 25 Plus and have not yet been given any information about it, contact your local Jobcentre Plus or contact Jobcentre Plus direct on 0800 055 6688. You can also call Jobcentre Plus to enquire about current jobs on 0845 606 0234.