JSA Claim since Sep...help/advice please

johnsons_baby

Hi There,

I am new to the site and wonder can anyone give me some advice please?

My husband and I had a business with a business partner and the company closed in August as it was operating at a loss, had severe financial problems and basically we were funding it all out of our own pockets. We intend to take the debts into an IVA soon (more later!).

We made a claim at the start of September for Jobseekers allowance and that claim is still not completed and this is where I need some help.

We provided all the details requested and attended the first meeting, we then had a mountain of paperwork to fill out and send back relating to self employment and then we were advise by phone that the paperwork had been sent to decision makers, well, this has been happening every week and we then get a letter stating more information is required, we provide that information usually posting it out the same day and a few days later, another letter saying more information is required, we wouldn't mind so much but often, we previously provided the information requested, when we phone, they say they need it again.

Each time we ring asnd ask 'is this it, is this all the information you need, do we need to provide anything else?' we're told 'no, we have all the information we need' and then the familiar more information letter appears on the doormat.

My husband telephoned to ask why it is taking so long and they advised us it was because our claim was so complicated, which, granted it is more complicated than some but surely they should be able to deal with self employed people closing businesses?

My husband has now got a job, it doesn't pay a lot but it's better than nothing, I'm still waiting, interviewing, pestering recruitment agencies and I also have a 4 month old son as well. My husband wants to take all his personal and business debts into an IVA when he gets his promised payrise in 3 months but until them we are with Payplan, who have been great.

So my question is, for anyone in the know, we want to get the claim finalised for JSA as soon as possible and we are getting fed up of letters asking for more/same information, we also feel the process has been unduly long but is it really, I don't know how long these things take.

How can we get this finalised, should I push them to give us a list of everything they may possibly want?

Is it right to complain about the length of time it will be 3 months in a few days.

Should we just drop the claim now because husband has got a job and it's all getting a bit too frustrating?

We've basically emptied our savings to pay to get through the last few months and we are really struggling now with no money, although husband will be paid at the end of Dec so there is a light at the end of the tunnel but I am just not sure how to proceed with the JSA claim.

Thank you
Jo

Voyager2002

A three month wait is not acceptable.

I suggest that you ask your MP to find out why it has taken so long.