How infuriating! You would think they could have told you that beforehand, especially as it was such a long journey. £12.00 petrol costs was a lot for 2009/10 - you must have had to travel for miles! They most definitely should have suggested an alternative (to both fuel costs and/or waiting time for public transport) or suggested something nearer to your home. It's annoying that "the authorities" think you should know this automatically - they rely on that, I think.

Yes, they do rely on it - well rather they rely on you not asking and if you don't ask, they usually don't tell.

For people with special circumstances they may contribute or as you found out, do a telephone interview, but for 'ordinary' people there is no assistance with bus fares for the regular signing on days.

So I had to budget for that out of my allowance whereas others in the same town as the JC had that much extra to spend as most could walk there.

I was lucky though in that eventually I had good helpful advisers who did let me know what I was entitled to and who helped in whatever way they were allowed when I found work but had to fork out in advance for strict dress code etc.

But overall, back to the original question - no - not for long you can't.  Even if you're young and healthy to begin with, it saps your energy and health and if you're older, it's that much worse.

I really really struggled through the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 winters and having to go without supplements and cutting back on food has had it's toll - and some things just don't get any better, rather they get worse with age.