JSA processing taking too long - almost coming up to 4 weeks

book12

It is my first time claiming JSA.

I made a claim online week commencing 24 August. A few days later, I got a phone call where they asked me for more details. The next day, I went to the Job Centre for the initial JSA interview, where an advisor asked me to check if the details submitted online and on the phone are correct. After that, I went to see another person to talk about jobs, and create a job seekers agreement. The advisor said she will send my claim to the Benefit Delivery Centre (BDC) for processing. I was then given a letter saying that it will take at least 2 weeks to process my claim at the BDC, and the contact details.

At the second sign-on this week, the sign-on staff said that my claim is still processing. I have signed on twice so far, and haven't missed any sign-on dates. My first instalment hasn't been paid into my bank account yet.

On the 9th (morning), I recieved a letter about asking more documents regarding student related things, and I've sent the documents using the pre-paid 1st class envelope provided on the same day (afternoon). Obviously, they will recieve the documents by the 10/11th. Once they recieved it, they will continue the processing of my claim.

I understand that they are busy, due to the number of people claiming. I'm sure that they have a lot of staff at the BDC to process the new JSA claims, and thought it won't take that long. I'm not going to call up, as I know it will be processed eventually, and don't want to disturb them doing the processing.

However, I'm just wondering does it really take up to a month (or maybe longer) to finishing processing the claim? I've heard that some people have their claims processed within 2 weeks.

dmg24

Yes, it can take up to a month (or a little longer), especially when additional information is required. As long as you know that they have the information they require, you just need to wait a little longer.

book12

dmg24 wrote: »

Yes, it can take up to a month (or a little longer), especially when additional information is required. As long as you know that they have the information they require, you just need to wait a little longer.

I hope they received it when I sent it on the 9th. Getting worried that they might lost it, lol.

I thought when the receive the additional information, they would just look at it, and process it on the day, and continue...

Anyway, I will wait a little bit longer. Hopefully, it will be done before the end of September, or early October. If it's not done by then, I might call up to see how far the processing of the claim is.

EM83_3

you should ring up and enquire, should only take two weeks, you could be entitled to emergency payment after that stage unless they are awaiting more docyuments.

book12

I did ring up a few hours ago. She said it's still processing, and won't be long until my first instalment goes into my bank account. I assume she means that my claim will be completely processed either next week/before the end of September/after my third sign on.

acurling

I was recently made redundant and it took about 6 weeks to process my claim for JSA. It was only after I signed on for the third time and phoned to chase them, that all the money went in my bank account.

debrag

For me it was 3 weeks from submitting the forms online and my first sign on. Send on 29th May, phone interview 2nd June, first interview sometime after that, sign on 19th June and first pay 24th June.

book12

acurling wrote: »

I was recently made redundant and it took about 6 weeks to process my claim for JSA. It was only after I signed on for the third time and phoned to chase them, that all the money went in my bank account.

6 weeks is a long time!

I think there should be more staff to process these claims, since there are a lot of people claiming.

Hopefully, after my third sign on, I will get my first instalment - £100.

debrag wrote: »

For me it was 3 weeks from submitting the forms online and my first sign on. Send on 29th May, phone interview 2nd June, first interview sometime after that, sign on 19th June and first pay 24th June.

Next week, is 3 weeks for me. Hopefully, sometime next week I will get some payment, or after my third sign on. Second sign on was 2 days ago.

costaerer

call them call them call them!!!
DONT leave it? unless u prefer the money ina lump sum in 3 months time!!!

i left mine for 6 weeks, then called them....g-d nos what they wre messing around with but as soon as i called they got it sorted and sent it to my bank account that day!

so...........
CALL THEM

book12

costaerer wrote: »

call them call them call them!!!
DONT leave it? unless u prefer the money ina lump sum in 3 months time!!!

i left mine for 6 weeks, then called them....g-d nos what they wre messing around with but as soon as i called they got it sorted and sent it to my bank account that day!

so...........
CALL THEM

I did call them, as you can see from my previous post (#5) in this thread.

NASA_2

It doesnt hurt to call them but try and be patient when you are on the phone - the people that answer the phones are not the people processing the claims so they can only give so much information and try to contact the processors to chase up on whats happening.