Job Seekers Allowance - Want 6 mths bank statements

Nipper78

I last worked in Oct 07, travelling until Feb 08. Since then I've also not been working and looking for permanent work. I didn't realise I could claim job seekers until a few weeks back when I signed up. They've not paid me because they want 6 months worth of bank statements. This isn't common and I'm a little put out by it. They should be paying me from 3 weeks ago at least as I'm broke, but they won't until they get this. I've phoned them and said I don't keep printed bank statements for security reasons, and do all my banking online. I can print 3 months worth there but that's all, and Barclays say it'll take 4-6 weeks to get 6 months worth of statements. So I'm in a position where I'm eligible for Job Seekers Allowance and won't get it for up to 2 months.

They said to send off the 3 months worth of statements with a covering letter. All my banking shows or will show, is the odd £50 going in which is money lent to me, and me dipping into my over draft. So I'm concerned on what basis, they've assessed they need to check my finances. AFAIK I've not done anything wrong financially that would not make me eligible for Job Seekers per the forms I filled in. I don't have much faith in them handling this fairly.

Any help and advice much appreciated, thanks.

Conor_3

Its because you finished work 18 months ago and haven't claimed. They need evidence of how you've supported yourself and what income you've had so they ask for bank statements.

Nipper78

Conor wrote: »

Its because you finished work 18 months ago and haven't claimed. They need evidence of how you've supported yourself and what income you've had so they ask for bank statements.

I haven't worked for approx 8 months (since Oct 07). Also it's even on going forwards they want to know which I find odd. When I rang the guy said it's un common and suggests they think something serious is going on, like I was working or doing cash in hand work or something, or had assets. All my assets we used travelling approx 5k.

I'm trying to back claim since March 08 which they prompted me to do, and from that time just the odd £50 went in mostly. I'm still concerned at this. Plus as I said, I can't provide 6 months worth of statements right away, I don't keep bank statements that far back for security reasons, do all my banking online which only allows to print off 3 months worth. Barclays say 4-6 weeks for 6 months worth of statements, so I can't even meet their request to enable getting the job seekers allowance I'm entitled to, within 4 weeks minimum.

DaisyFlower

I doubt you'll get it backdated to March, you'd have to have a really good reason and stating you didnt know you could claim wont be good enough.

I can see why they are checking, you've managed for 8 months to live, feed yourself and have a roof over your head with "no" income. Bank statements will give them an idea of how you did this.

If you want to claim benefits then you have to be prepared to meet any requirements they have.

Got2change

I wonder if trying to claim the JSA back to March might be a bit of a sticky wicket - given that it is paid when you are "actively seeking work" which is verified when you go to sign on - which you weren't doing back then (were you?).
I know that's not the immediate problem but don't get your hopes up that it will be back-dated that far, maybe only to the point you made your claim "a few weeks ago".
Don't really see a way around the 6 months statements I'm afraid; you'd think they would realise that in this day and age when we are encouraged to be greener and go paperless, that a print out from your internet banking would be sufficient.
Hope you can get it sorted out.

Savvy_Sue

Can I just check, is this Income based or Contribution based JSA that you are claiming? Because if it's income based then yes they will want to see your statements, to make sure you didn't move a big dollop out of your account just before claiming.

At least I think that's the case.

Nipper78

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Can I just check, is this Income based or Contribution based JSA that you are claiming? Because if it's income based then yes they will want to see your statements, to make sure you didn't move a big dollop out of your account just before claiming.

At least I think that's the case.

Sorry what's the difference between Income based or Contribution based JSA? Might kick myself but even looking at one form here, it doesn't specify. The last of my savings went into my account around Jan 08, then in Feb 08 back in the UK and into the over draft it was. So should be fine as I see it.

hayley11

I think Income Based is means tested whereas Contribution Based is based upon N.I. contributions you've made whilst working.

Like others have said I don't think you'll get it backdated, I was in incapacity benefit then (through my own choice) moved on to JSA because I wanted to get a job and they wouldn't even back date it a week so that I didn't lose out on any money. Your money will start from the day you claim.

I do see and agree with them for wanting bank statements, you have supported yourself for a long time and they'll probably want to know why you can't afford to do that anymore.

Nipper78

Really not sure which I'd be based on I'm afraid, or to find out which one I'd naturally be put on.

Bottom line is they won't pay anything until Barclays send 6 months of statements which takes 4-6 weeks. So all of this time I'm eligible I'm not getting any job seekers allowance, kind of undermines the whole point of it, I'll have a job by then. So what should I do, it doesn't seem acceptable.

hayley11

I thought you could go into a branch, get them to print off bank statements and then they can sign/stamp them to prove they are real? When me and my OH were moving, this is what we did, he is with RBS though so might be different?

Savvy_Sue

See Lucia15's post on this thread about how to print off online statements in an 'acceptable' way. I don't know if you'll be able to move things forward with 3 months' worth, while you wait for the rest to come from Barclays?