Increase to JSA from April 2009

ShellyPops

I currently get income based JSA at the 60.50 p/w rate, im sure recently i had a letter stating an increase to benefit from april 2009???
Im sure i didnt dream it but i was wondering if anybody knew what the rate would be?

The reason im asking is im still paying back an overpayment of benefit from years ago, now im not working they are taking it straight from my benefit, which is a pain in the bum because im 34 weeks pregnant and also have a 7 year old child. I had a letter today saying they are increasing the payments they are taking from me to £40 every fortnight!!!! i was originally paying them £25 a month when i was working, now they are really taking the mick! thats £80 a month from my benefit! I cant afford to do it really on the current state of pay, so im wondering if the the increase is due to the increase in jsa from april....whatever that is???
sorry if im not making sense?????

somebody advise me please??
thanks:j

hippy-chicy

Yes JSA is increasing in April 09. The rate is £64.30 ( I think- its £64 something )

Not sure about the deductions but sure someone will be along shorty with the answer.

Just a thought - with a 7 year old child (and with you being 34 weeks pregnant ) shouldn't you be claiming Income Support instead??

NASA_2

£64.30

Yos should be able to move on to IS at this point as you are within your last 11 weeks of pregnancy. With your chaniging circumstances they should be able to reduce it a bit.

ShellyPops

blimey so not much of an increase then!
so how can they justify double the amount from me! they currently take 9.78 per week from me, now its 20 quid a week!

I have my appointment on tuesday to sign on but tbh my job centre is that shocking they are still expecting me to get a job they know im 34 weeks pregnant and havent got a hope in hells chance of getting work now! ive applied for maternity allowance and havent heard back from that as yet.
its all very annoying, i was made redundant at 20 weeks pregnant and have been on the hunt for work ever since

how much is income support now then?

NASA_2

ShellyPops wrote: »

blimey so not much of an increase then!
so how can they justify double the amount from me! they currently take 9.78 per week from me, now its 20 quid a week!

I have my appointment on tuesday to sign on but tbh my job centre is that shocking they are still expecting me to get a job they know im 34 weeks pregnant and havent got a hope in hells chance of getting work now! ive applied for maternity allowance and havent heard back from that as yet.
its all very annoying, i was made redundant at 20 weeks pregnant and have been on the hunt for work ever since

how much is income support now then?

Its the same amount but at least you dont have to sign on every two weeks.

Some times social fund deductions go up right at the end of the schedule. Are you certain that it isnt wording something like 'Deductions from your benefit will increase to £20 for the next 1 week' as I know some people have been caught out by that. Sorry if it sounds like a patronising question.

ShellyPops

Hiya ESA,

no not at all patronising sounding, im grateful for any advice really as im so unsure...
it definately says an increase from 24th march 2009 until the over payment is paid back. £20 per week.

I may have to ring them on monday, its an awful lot of money to me.

Also i dont think i can get income support as im not a lone parent, my husband works full time....
im due my 3 month review on wednesday the day after i sign so i may ask them then.
my other worry is if i end up getting maternity allowance that they will take even more from me!

sharski

ShelleyPops... I think it's a little unfair to blame JC staff for the fact that, at your stage of pregnancy, no-one would employ you. They do not make up the beneft rules, they merely implement them.... if there is no other benefit available to you at this stage, it's not really the 'shocking' JC staff's fault. As you are still signing for JSA, they have to go through the same procedure for all jobseekers...

ShellyPops

what i mean is that they do not seem to be bothered at all about my situation. i know everybody has a job ti do and believe me i didnt ask to be made redundant especially being pregnant!
they dont seem to want to give me any advice, or even help with anything that im entitled to. Im not blaming them entirely, i just wish they would give me some help when i go in and see them and explain things a bit better

KimYeovil

Surely the easiest thing would be for your working husband to pay off the debt in a lump sum? Instead of paying fortnight in fortnight out get it over as quickly as possible.

ShellyPops

KimYeovil wrote: »

Surely the easiest thing would be for your working husband to pay off the debt in a lump sum? Instead of paying fortnight in fortnight out get it over as quickly as possible.

i wish he could but he cannot afford to, he has his own debts

cabbage

HI
Go to see your local CAB or your council's welfare rights service and see what they can do for you in terms of benefit checks and asking DWP to reschedule the repayments for the overpayment.

If you go to CAB they may also be able to help your husband sort out his debts too.

You've really got too much on your plate at the moment and I think a bit of help will go a long way to helping you feel better and a bit more supported.