I Am Cross!

[bednobs]

i applied for JSA about five weeks ago as i havent been working (and furiously looking) since january. They finally sent me an appointment for next week - i am taking a pre-booked holiday next week so cant go to it. i rang them (and waited 45 mins on the phone) only for them to tell me that they would have to close my claim, and id have to restart all over again when i return - never mind about the weeks in between when ive been searching and interviewing, it can only start when i re-apply. GRRRRRR.
i know in the grand scheme of things it's not important really but it did get me riled up for a few minutes

[dannyk13]

Rightly so.Why couldn't they just give you an appointment for when you return from holiday?

[bhg481]

I think a letter to your MP is called for.

[bednobs]

im not sure really, i had to put the phone down before i strted shouting at the 12 year old i was talking to

[bednobs]

lol bhg :) it's not important in the long run i guess, but i was a little cross

[chelle7272]

I have a friend who had their inital appointment changed without having to start over. I would complain. Sounds like they are trying to do you out of back paid entitlement.

[Jackdaw33]

I am so glad I don't have to have any dealings with these people apart from collecting my pension every four weeks and my winter fuel (Xmas booze) allowance in November.

[Flonska]

If your holiday is outside of the UK then that is what will happen:-

http://www.themix.org.uk/money/benefits/jsa-complications-9182.html

[wolf63]

Is there any reason that there has been a delay of five weeks between your date of claim and the date of your appointment?

[bhg481]

Bednobs - I was serious. This should not be how it works and he is in a position to ask questions about it.

[bednobs]

i dont know wolf - i presume because of the easter break. or maybe they have as many people to fit in as they have trying to call them!

[dannyk13]

Bednobs, is your holiday abroad?

[Jackdaw33]

The Easter break is only two working days.

[Flonska]

Did you tell the Job Centre that you are going to Tenerife next week at the time you last applied or have you only just told informed them since receipt of the appointment confirmation?

[bednobs]

since receipt of the appt. I was expecting to be see sooner

[Flonska]

If you go abroad, you need to sign off just before you go. When you get back you may be able to make a rapid reclaim for JSA online which should only take 10 minutes.

However, it is likely that when you return from Tenerife and try to make a claim for any Income-based JSA, the Jobcentre Plus will tell you that you have to claim Universal Credit instead.

Perhaps you can ring them up, speak to a Supervisor to see what can be done to help you? Be prepared though to be told that it is your responsibility to keep them informed of changes to your circumstances and that you will have to apply from the beginning, again when you get back. I do hope the last phone call between you and them was amicable?

[emmie]

i would be hopping mad to be honest, they have their way of doing things that isn't in accord with real life.

[Flonska]

Emmie, you have to be in England, Scotland and Wales at the time of claiming JSA (and other benefits) - it is the Law!

[emmie]

and i have been on the end of a tyrannical system that doesn't take people's lives into consideration. I spent 18 months fighting like mad to keep my DLA and it was one of the worst experiences of my life, dragged to a tribunal and finally they agreed i was in no shape for work so the decision went in my favour.

[wolf63]

If it was me I would send a complaint in writing to the DWP, if the reason for the delay was your fault or because you failed to supply information to support your claim then they might be right to do this.

However, you should not be penalised for the DWP being busy or other such reason.

You will probably be entitled to the contributory benefit which is paid for a set period of time so you would probably not lose out on any money.

If you complain in writing it usually goes to the supervisor of the section who will check the claim and see what has gone wrong. More importantly, you will get a written explanation back from them.

[bednobs]

now i have had time to get less cross, i can smile about it. As i am claiming contribution based jsa, it probably doesnt make too much difference what date it starts from - if i remain out of work, i'll get the same over all