Signing Off JSA

tsimehC

I didn't think signing off JSA would be a problem but after talking to my personal adviser last week, I was told that I could sign off via the phone so I tried this today but the lady on the phone told me I had to hand in the green book into my local JCP office or the nearest one to the place I work. I tried to give my green book to the one closest to me (went there straight after work) but the customer service advisor refused to take my book and told me firmly that I have to give the book into my local one. This isn't possible atm due to my hours and I realised I should've done this before I started working.

Regardless, I am a bit confused how I could open a claim through the phone but not close it the same way? Can anyone explain this? I am aware that my benefits will be stop anyway as I haven't attended my appointment today but I wanted to let them know in case I was done for fraud or something.

healy

I think you can just post the book to them and they will be able to close your claim that way.

NASA_2

The JCP Call centres confuse me too.

Can you not just pop it in the post though?

tsimehC

Ah good idea. I'm worried about the Royal Mail strikes and how JCP handle regular post though.

Can I get someone else to go there on my behalf? I'm kicking myself here for not doing this earlier, why do I always listen to those knowledgeable advisers?

MX5huggy

The reason is that you can't do it on the phone is that you don't want anybody to be able to ring up and close your claim down for you they want documentary proof (your sig) that you have asked for the claim to be closed.

Remember when you claimed they took the details on the phone but nothing would have happened to that claim if you did not go to the JC to sign for the claim.

tsimehC

Thanks for explaining that so concisely to me, makes sense now! I will get a friend to give the book in on my behalf, probably won't work but failing that, I will take the postal route.

NASA_2

MX5huggy wrote: »

The reason is that you can't do it on the phone is that you don't want anybody to be able to ring up and close your claim down for you they want documentary proof (your sig) that you have asked for the claim to be closed.

Remember when you claimed they took the details on the phone but nothing would have happened to that claim if you did not go to the JC to sign for the claim.

While I can see where you are coming from with that explanation it is possible to make a claim to ESA without ever having signed for anything. It also appears to be possible to get it closed without signing anything.

Is it definately different for both benefits?

Though I can understand signing something at the start of the claim on JSA (So that no-one can say they didnt get their books etc.).

sharski

There is a pilot running in various JCs over the country - and is slowing rolling out all over - where people CAN sign off over the phone (it's called 'In & Out of Work').
Basically, you ring a certain tel number, & you will be 'signed off' over te phone, as well as that agent informing local authority if HB/CTB has been claimed and completing a tax credit application too!!!

However, there are certain condtions where you can't do it over the phone, including if you've started work over 7 days ago & if you are self-employed.. amongst others.

But, like I say, it is NOT in all areas yet... but watch this space!!

dookar

NASA wrote: »

Is it definately different for both benefits?

Yep, ESA regs contain a reg that override the C&P regs, JSA regs do not

NASA_2

dookar wrote: »

Yep, ESA regs contain a reg that override the C&P regs, JSA regs do not

Good to know for future reference.

dookar

NASA wrote: »

Good to know for future reference.

Just to clairfy, I was talking about making a claim, I'm not aware the regs require a claim to be closed in writing.