Flexible Support Fund
The Flexible Support Fund is available across the UK through your local Jobcentre Plus adviser or work coach and could help you with the extra costs involved in getting into and starting work.
This is a discretionary fund and your local Jobcentre Plus adviser decides if you can get it. If you get any financial help under the Flexible Support Fund, you don't have to pay it back.
Who can get help from the Flexible Support Fund
The Flexible Support Fund is discretionary and you don't have an automatic right to it if you qualify. It depends on your local Jobcentre Plus adviser.
It is available to anyone who receives help from the Jobcentre and is claiming a qualifying benefit such as:
- Income Support
- Jobseeker's Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Carer's allowance
The Flexible Support Fund can also support anyone eligible for Work Preparation Support, such as lone parents, partners and carers.
The costs it can help with
The Flexible Support Fund aims to help with extra costs associated with finding a job, such as:
- travel expenses to attend an interview
- tools and clothing or uniforms to start work
There is no set amount of money you can be given. It depends on your situation, circumstances and needs.
The Flexible Support Fund is unlikely to fund anything you have already paid for.
Discounted bus travel with a Gold Card or b_line2 card
Gold Card is Derbyshire's travel, discount and library card for older people and people with certain disabilities.
A b_line2 card is available to all young people living in Derbyshire aged 16 and up to their 19th birthday and entitles them to a reduced fare for travel on local buses and trains.
Free bus travel
Gold Card currently allows you to travel for free on local buses. The Gold Card qualifying age is linked to the State Pension age. If you have a disability, you may qualify for a Gold Card, regardless of your age.
Gold Card holders can also travel free-of-charge anytime on Derbyshire Connect Dial-a-Bus 'shopping' buses.
If you're entitled to a card because of your age you can apply for a Gold Card online or contact your district or borough council.
Children and young people
All young people living in Derbyshire aged 16 and up to their 19th birthday are entitled to a b_line2 card which gives a reduced fare to travel on local buses and trains. It can give you other discounts too. In most cases these are issued by schools.
Apprentices, young people attending college or on training courses, and those at work or looking for work and aged under 19 need to make their own application for a b_line2 card.
You can apply for a b_line card online.
If you live more than 3 miles (2 miles for primary school aged children) from your normal area school, assistance is available for your child's travel to school.