Hi all

I have been looking into the possibilty of gaining some sort of unemployment benefits / jobseekers allowance from the UK (I am British and moved here in November). I understand I would have to work for 3 months here in Switzerland to be entitled to any chomage payments but have recently been told that it is possible to claim benefits from the UK while living here.

My move here is a permanent one and since November I have applied to 130+ jobs/companies to no avail. Now money is getting tighter, I would like to know if anybody else has been in the same position as me and what (if anything) I can do to gain any sort of financial help? Dont worry for any sceptics out there, I am not looking for the benefits so I can sit back and stop looking for work etc...believe me, I am so tired of searching for work and only getting negative responses and cant wait to find a new job whatever it is!

Thanks
Craig

don't you have to be available for work if you claim benefits? Something about a) showing that you're working to get a job and b) signing on every two weeks and giving evidence of your search?

You need to contribute to the insurance scheme for 12 of the last 24 months here to be entitled to benefits.

What are your skills and do you have fluent French? You're just looking in Neuch or elsewhere too?

Hi there

Well I am certainly available for work all of the time. I have a spreadsheet with the companies and dates (ncluding methods) of application for all the job advert replies & letters I have written so far. I have copies of most of the emails I have sent as way of application and a number of the emailed responses I have received. I haven't however kept any of the rejection letters I have received by post.

I thought it was a bit odd that I could claim from the UK when I am living here in Switzerland. I know that I can work for 3 months here in Switzerland and then claim 'chomage' as I was told that in the local canton offices due to the length of time I have already spent working in the UK prior to my move here. Additionally I have met someone here from Spain who is claiming benefits from Spain even though she is living here and looking for work here so I just wondered whether it would be the same for me...it seems not unfortunately.

I am not fluent yet in French but I can certainly get by. My French written skills are not up to the same standard as my spoken ones but I am working hard on improving that side. Since I have moved here, my French has definitely improved a great deal and will only get better unless I regress and stop trying to speak to my girlfriend's family and friends (pretty sure that is highly unlikely).

So...I am looking for work on a daily basis. At present the most important thing is for me to find a job in any domain while my French improves. If I can find a great job to begin with where fluent French is not required then great but I would be willing to do more or less anything.

Right...back to trawling through websites etc for jobs

Thanks
Craig