Job seekers allowance - Help please.

sunnyone

s1h wrote: »

No I was told it face to face. I got a phone call at 8 in the morning asking me to work 12 hours and I was there 40 mins later.

I didn't think I would need to double check it, I thought the staff would know what they are talking about.

Let me guess It's my fault for not double checking it.

You said it, you get paperwork when you make your initial claim and if you are unsure then check it.

sunnyone

s1h

sunnyone wrote: »

You said it, you get paperwork when you make your initial claim and if you are unsure then check it.

sunnyone

Why would I be unsure. I have never claimed benefits before. I put my trust in the staff in the jobcentre thinking they would give me clear correct and concise advice. There was no reason for me to check it.

You obviously work for them as it seems others on here do. I hope you never lose your job and have to endure this nonsense.

NASA_2

At point did you approach anyone to let them know why you were there?

Like one of the other posters said - the earlier times of the day are totally hectic - a crowded room with quite a bit of background noise. When it gets to the end of the day it can be quite easy to not notice that there is someone sitting quietly waiting to be seen. And I dont blame benefits staff taking a few minutes to themselves at the end of the day.

s1h

ESA wrote: »

At point did you approach anyone to let them know why you were there?

Like one of the other posters said - the earlier times of the day are totally hectic - a crowded room with quite a bit of background noise. When it gets to the end of the day it can be quite easy to not notice that there is someone sitting quietly waiting to be seen. And I dont blame benefits staff taking a few minutes to themselves at the end of the day.

I was sat 5 feet away from them. For !!!!s sake. I don't mind people having a few minutes to themselves when the work is completed but it was obvious that I was waiting.

I don't understand why everyone is sticking up for these fools.

NASA_2

I'll stick up for them because I see and hear every day the abuse that benefits staff have to take. Usually from those who are least deserving (Please note that isnt me having a go at you - just what I see as a general trend).

I've been made to wait for things in the past too. Its annoying but I dont see the need to abuse staff unless they are deliberately unhelpful and have no reason for being unhelpful.

sunnyone

s1h wrote: »

Why would I be unsure. I have never claimed benefits before. I put my trust in the staff in the jobcentre thinking they would give me clear correct and concise advice. There was no reason for me to check it.

You obviously work for them as it seems others on here do. I hope you never lose your job and have to endure this nonsense.

All the more reason to check when you have never claimed benefits before, anything new to me I read, digest, read again then check if I am unsure, if this is your first time on JSA why would you not read through the paperwork you were given then ask for clarification on any matter you were not clear about.

sunnyone

s1h

sunnyone wrote: »

All the more reason to check when you have never claimed benefits before, anything new to me I read, digest, read again then check if I am unsure, if this is your first time on JSA why would you not read through the paperwork you were given then ask for clarification on any matter I wasnt clear about.

sunnyone

I am not going to say it again.

I THOUGHT THAT SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN THE JOB CENTRE WOULD KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT. I TRUSTED THE INFORMATION THEY GAVE ME. I WAS CLEAR ABOUT IT, I WAS CLEAR THAT I COULD WORK 16 HOURS A WEEK WITHOUT IT AFFECTING ME AS THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD.

Not everyone reads all the small print. I'm sure you do but some of us have better things to do like trying to find a job.

As it goes I don't see why people shouldn't be able to work 16 hours a week and still claim, I thought that sounded quite plausible. Because £60 a week is hardly enough to live on. Especially when you have to drive back and forward to the job centre using petrol to sort out the staff theres errors.

missymugwump

OP sadly this happens in too many places
Its disrespectful & demoralising
I can understand why you felt angry

I had it in the Housing Benefit Office at the local council last week

9 of us were sat clutching our numbered tickets from the machine on the wall
Whilst we were waiting patiently I noticed an average wait time sign of 12 mins (we waited over 40 mins before being called )
The two elderly ladies behind the glass screens were chatting to each other
One guy got up & said i'm next love
She told him to go & sit back down she wasn't ready for him !
She then proceeded to snigger with her co hort & then as he reached his seat pushed the button calling his number
There was no need for it

Total lack of respect
Just because we have no choice to be there does not mean that we should be treated so rudely

I was served in the Nationwide today
The lady managed to take my paying in book
Pay in the money
Stamp the book
Return through the slot
All the time talking to her colleague
She never aknowledged me once

I remember thinking on both ocassions how lucky these people were to even have a job,and that they obviously didn't realise how lucky they were

s1h

I would say I wish these people were out of work and had to suffer the same thing themselves but I'm not like that and wouldn't wish what I have had to endure over the last few weeks on anyone.

missymugwump

I can understand your point you thought you were doing the right thing accepting the work
As you see you are now worse off

Sadly this is why a lot of people don't bother
It's such a shame I don't know what the answer is but at the moment it's flawed

I hope you find work soon
It's really hard at the moment

Good Luck