What happens at a 13 week review?

lufcgirl

I'm interested as I have one next week!

avantra

Its just procedure, after 13 weeks they review your claim, no need in worrying, just go in as normal, you will have to go in every week for 6 weeks then you will be back on fortnightly signing until 6 months when you have to agree to go on some form of course

lufcgirl

Thanks for that. Is there any reason as to why I have to go every week when I can prove I have been searching and applying for an adequate amount of jobs?

Also, although it's not a problem to myself...thats double the bus fare to the jobcentre every week instead of fortnight which takes up a fair chunk of JSA. Or is this meant to be included within your JSA to pay for travel?

Bamber19

lufcgirl wrote: »

Thanks for that. Is there any reason as to why I have to go every week when I can prove I have been searching and applying for an adequate amount of jobs?

Also, although it's not a problem to myself...thats double the bus fare to the jobcentre every week instead of fortnight which takes up a fair chunk of JSA. Or is this meant to be included within your JSA to pay for travel?

Depending how nice the people you see in the Jobcentre are, how friendly and conversational you are, or maybe just how busy they are, it's possible that if you can show you are already looking for and finding the same jobs that they are looking for at weekly signing then they may take you off weekly signing.

Part of your JSA is meant to allow for travelling to the Jobcentre for interviews, however (you'll need to ask about this) i seem to remember that you may be able to claim bus fare for coming in every 2nd week (the week that isn't your actual signing day) when you're on weekly signing.

dacouch

Take something to read as they normally book about 6 people for an appointment at the same time so you there is a good chance you are in for a long wait, especially if their lunch break is schedule for about that time and / or the person on the next desk did anything interesting the night before

busy_mom_2

dacouch wrote: »

Take something to read as they normally book about 6 people for an appointment at the same time so you there is a good chance you are in for a long wait, especially if their lunch break is schedule for about that time and / or the person on the next desk did anything interesting the night before

no one should have a long wait, some large offices taxi rank appointments but jobcentre targets state you should be seen within 10 mins for your appointment. You queue longer than this in the post office or bank, do you take a book there aswell:rolleyes:

dacouch

I've had waits of upto 2 hours, its lovely when you sit there for an hour plus and then they go on their lunch break so you know you have at least another wait of 30 minutes.

I have never ever been seen within 10 minutes.

I soon learnt and took a book in with me so I did not get wound up, if they had any sense they would put the job search machines near the swim waiting areas so people could look for work while they are waiting

busy_mom_2

dacouch wrote: »

I've had waits of upto 2 hours, its lovely when you sit there for an hour plus and then they go on their lunch break so you know you have at least another wait of 30 minutes.

I have never ever been seen within 10 minutes.

I soon learnt and took a book in with me so I did not get wound up, if they had any sense they would put the job search machines near the swim waiting areas so people could look for work while they are waiting

If you ever wait this long again report to the floor manager, a wait this long is not acceplable.

timmmers

avantra wrote: »

Its just procedure, after 13 weeks they review your claim, no need in worrying, just go in as normal, you will have to go in every week for 6 weeks then you will be back on fortnightly signing until 6 months when you have to agree to go on some form of course

I just had mine on Monday, and they said nothing about weekly attendance, it's not in my new agreement either. It says fortnightly.

Mine was a basic normal sign-on interview, slight changes to the agreement (60 minutes became 90 minutes travel time for some reason)...and a quick chat.

I'm going to ring on Monday to check this, I'll post if it's still fortnightly...and IF IT IS...maybe it will stop people posting out of date info or just plain wrong info?

IF it's right I already missed a date this week, and will enjoy them expaining why the new freshly printed and signed agreement they gave me still says 2 weeks.

t

busy_mom_2

The rules do state you will sign weekly at the 13 week stage but it's a simple fact that not all jobcentres can accommodate the volumes of people.
Some offices can and you do need to attend weekly, some will telephone interview you on the odd week you don't revieve the benefit. Others just don't bother but managers will have to make efforts to change this.

cassie55

I had mine 2 weeks ago and they didn't change my fortnightly sign on.

It was a bizarre meeting actually. The advisor spent most of the time telling me how she ended up working in the job centre after being made redundant from thr fashion industry and how much she hates it :rolleyes:.

She then said it must be very stressful for "someone like me" (?) to be out of work and added that it's a shame I'm married as I don't get any benefits apart from contribution based JSA.

She did however point me in the direction of a couple of managerial roles at the London Olympics Planning Commitee which I have applied for so there was some point to the meeting.