New Deal for Over 50s

The New Deal for Over 50s is a scheme intended to support people who have been unemployed for a long period of time to find a suitable job and return to work. 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 (for more information on this scheme see New Deal 25 Plus). The New Deal for Over 50s is intended to give extra help to people seeking employment who consider their age could be a disadvantage. It is a voluntary scheme.

If you are over fifty years of age and for at least six months you have been claiming one or more state benefits including Pension Credit, Incapacity Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Severe Disablement Allowance, you might be entitled to participate in New Deal for Over 50s. When you take part in New Deal for Over 50s you will be assigned a personal advisor to help you decide on the best plan of action considering your individual skills, circumstances and needs. Your personal advisor can also help you to find suitable training programmes if you wish to learn new skills, or ascertain you will need to develop different skills before returning to the workplace.

If you find a job you may be entitled to receive Working Tax Credit, and Working Tax Credit for 50 plus for one year. You may also be able to claim a Training Grant of up to £1,200 to enable you to learn new skills. For more information on Training Grants see Training Grants. You can also ask your personal advisor to explain the details to you if you are interested. You can 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 decisions that will most benefit you.

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 necessary. Your advisor will be able to answer any questions you have relating to your benefits.

If you are interested in the New Deal scheme 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.