Dole?????

[carron81]

your thoughs, comments or experience would be great.

my mum has recently had to start the process of signing on. having been paid off her work in november and been unsucessful in getting a job the dole was her last resort.

she registered with our local office at the begining of the year and got a letter through today saying she wasn't entitled to it. the reason for this was she set up her own cleaning business (working by herself) after the employment she was in at the time closed down and that was her only option. she then got into a more secure job and gave the cleaning company up. however she's been paid off again and as she had her own business in the last 21 months shes not entitiled to a penny and is now devistated as she's worked all her life and the one time she needs a bit of help for a few months she's been refused.

[THECORBYLOON]

Self-employed folk don't qualify for Contribution Based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) but they may qualify for the Income Based JSA which is based on income (including savings shares and the like)

If yir mum doesn't qualify for either she might think about claiming Incapacity Benefit (IB). That is also based on National Insurance but she'd need a doctor's certificate to confirm she was not fit for work.

If the whole situation has caused her to be depressed for example, her doctor could gie her a sick-note and she can claim IB.

[sleepyj]

no way should incapacity be for people that are depressed it should only b4 really ill people to many people just amke are that they are ill . i think its not right . if she has paid her stamp she can get dole money

[sleepyj]

sorry make up

[carron81]

she has artharitis in her hands and feet so this does reduce the amount of jobs she can apply for, which doesn't help.

exactyl, why should they just take in the last couple of years when she's done her bit over the past 30+ years!!

[sleepyj]

well if she is ill she should claim then . good luck with that

[carron81]

to be honest, she doesn't see it as an illness. maybe should!!!

[beryllium]

they are absolute pigs these people.
Your mum is going to have to apply again for income support if her NI contributions are not up to date.

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/ WorkingAgeBenefits/Incomesupport/index.html

don't let her give up.

[THECORBYLOON]

beryryllium, with respect, we are not pigs. I work for Jobcentre Plus and it's folk like you who think wir Decisions are based on a personal whim. The folk who turnt down the claim have nothing to gain by doing so. There are laws and Regulations that have to be applied and those laws and Regulations apply to everyone. As I said, a self-employed person CAN'T receive Contribution Based JSA, it doesn't matter how many contributions they've paid.

If we were pigs, do you think I'd have telt her what to do?

[beryllium]

TCL, in my case I was treated possitively appallingly.
This lady is entitled to income support.
I had letters stating you are not entitled with the date 1872 writen on it haha.....
I, of course, deliberately became seriously ill just to be spoken to in a detrimental manner......
I recorded the phone calls and got my MP to get it sorted for me.
Perhaps you are a kind person, fully understanding of people seriously ill that need support.
I no longer have to deal with them thank god and I will get a pay rise from DLA when I am down to my last 6 months to live lol.....
And, if you have fully paid your stamp, why cant you claim?
I would also love to know how many people commit suicide from waiting for a decision? I was very close as I was made to feel like scum for applying in the first place.
I'm lucky I have a good MP.
BTW, the tapes were not played to a third party. They were for myself to state exactly what was said to the letter.
and you're quite right, pigs are wonderful animals. We have a pet vietnamese.

[beryllium]

carron, does the letter not say what she may be entitled to?
guidance is needed and help from them. I presume they don't want a death on their hands from starvation through no money to eat.

[angeldraws]

They NEVER tell you what else you may be entitled to....the times we interview folk in Housing Benefit & Council Tax who cannot give a good reason for NOT applying for these benefits and they are told that 'NOT KNOWING they could', is NOT a good enough reason......!! Personally, i think it is disgusting. Yes, there are those who try it on with the system and this is why these rules and regs are put in place, but not everyone is like that and its a shame everyone is treated with the same crap as a result.

[carron81]

beryllium - all they said to her was to still come in every 2 weeks to sign on and that will cover her NI and her tax contributions!!! but apart from that she's getting nothing

[THECORBYLOON]

beryllium the Jobseekers Act 1995 s 1(2)(d) and s 2 give the law relating to Contribution Based JSA. Can you tell me why you know she is entitled to Income Support by the way?

[beryllium]

Carron, where are you as there is outside help for guidance. There are welfare rights groups that will be able to guide you in the right direction.

Type welfare rights into google and there maybe one near you.

They don't spout 'the laws', they just give you guidance and help as to what you may be entitled to.

they will also send you copies of what is written into the dwp guidance rules.

Good Luck!!!

B :-)

[THECORBYLOON]

I see you haven't answered ma question beryllium, I gave the legal reference as you asked why someone who had paid contributions didn't qualify for JSA(CB).

[beryllium]

TCL, I do hope you get this message and many apologies for it's lateness and many many apologies to carron for filling in her inbox.
in a nutshell been in and out of hospital.
carron, do what TCL says and get back up advice from the Welfare advice.

Take very goodcare of yourselves :-) xxx