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refused contributions based jobseekers allowance
jen25_2
Posts: 1 Newbie
I need some advice, can anybody help me?
I was made redundant towards the end of last year and on the 29th Dec 09 I applied online for contributions based jobseekers which is described as "based on how much National Insurance you have paid in the last two tax years". I understood the last tax year was April 08-09 and the previous year April 07-08.
I signed a jobseekers agreement on the 5th Jan 2010 but two weeks later was told by them that I wasn't eligible and that my P60s from 06/07 and 07/08 had been used to assess me. The Job Centre asked for my most recent P60 and gave me a pre-paid envelope to send it off along with a note they put in telling them to reassess my claim. A week later I phoned benefits enquiries to see if it had been received. It hadn't and they told me that even when it did, they wouldn't even look at it anyway and added that the Job Centre shouldn't have told me to send it and shouldn't have told me to send the actual document either. At this point I wasn't happy that my P60 could potentially be lost in the post and was something I didn't even need to send anyway. The Job Centre explained themselves by saying that they have no idea how the process works at the benefits office, so wouldn't know that I wasn't to send it, which I find frustrating as it only delayed the process of my claim even more.
The benefits enquiries office explained that I applied in 2009 which was why they used the tax years 06/07 and 07/08. I was told that if I'd waited literally about 3 days or so they would have used my 07/08 and 08/09 ones, which would have made me eligible.
After phoning HM Revenue & Customs, I was told I had enough contributions in 07/08 but in 06/07 I fell short. This was because I was at University and only working part time.
I think it is so unjust that this whole decision has been based on a P60 from 3-4 years ago. Since University I have been working and paying NI and tax and now that I have lost my job and need help, I can't get anything back even though I have paid enough NI in the last two years.
When asking why my last P60 didn't even count the only explanation the lady on the phone could give was 'those are the rules.'
Does anyone know why they won't take my last P60 into consideration? I can't even apply for income based as I live with my boyfriend. We're not even married but they would look at his income and works more than 24 hours a week. We also both have massive student debt. I think the system has major flaws and seems to fail hardworking and honest people.
I intend on appealing against the decision that has been made but after talking to the manager of the claims maintenance department was told that the decision was not likely to change, all because I filled out the online form 3 days before 2010. I feel as if I've been tricked out of what I'm owed and let down by the system.
I was made redundant towards the end of last year and on the 29th Dec 09 I applied online for contributions based jobseekers which is described as "based on how much National Insurance you have paid in the last two tax years". I understood the last tax year was April 08-09 and the previous year April 07-08.
I signed a jobseekers agreement on the 5th Jan 2010 but two weeks later was told by them that I wasn't eligible and that my P60s from 06/07 and 07/08 had been used to assess me. The Job Centre asked for my most recent P60 and gave me a pre-paid envelope to send it off along with a note they put in telling them to reassess my claim. A week later I phoned benefits enquiries to see if it had been received. It hadn't and they told me that even when it did, they wouldn't even look at it anyway and added that the Job Centre shouldn't have told me to send it and shouldn't have told me to send the actual document either. At this point I wasn't happy that my P60 could potentially be lost in the post and was something I didn't even need to send anyway. The Job Centre explained themselves by saying that they have no idea how the process works at the benefits office, so wouldn't know that I wasn't to send it, which I find frustrating as it only delayed the process of my claim even more.
The benefits enquiries office explained that I applied in 2009 which was why they used the tax years 06/07 and 07/08. I was told that if I'd waited literally about 3 days or so they would have used my 07/08 and 08/09 ones, which would have made me eligible.
After phoning HM Revenue & Customs, I was told I had enough contributions in 07/08 but in 06/07 I fell short. This was because I was at University and only working part time.
I think it is so unjust that this whole decision has been based on a P60 from 3-4 years ago. Since University I have been working and paying NI and tax and now that I have lost my job and need help, I can't get anything back even though I have paid enough NI in the last two years.
When asking why my last P60 didn't even count the only explanation the lady on the phone could give was 'those are the rules.'
Does anyone know why they won't take my last P60 into consideration? I can't even apply for income based as I live with my boyfriend. We're not even married but they would look at his income and works more than 24 hours a week. We also both have massive student debt. I think the system has major flaws and seems to fail hardworking and honest people.
I intend on appealing against the decision that has been made but after talking to the manager of the claims maintenance department was told that the decision was not likely to change, all because I filled out the online form 3 days before 2010. I feel as if I've been tricked out of what I'm owed and let down by the system.
0
Comments
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They wont look at the P60 because it is irrelevant to the claim - what would be the point in them looking at it?
How exactly have you been tricked? The information is out there for everyone to look at.0 -
Ask the JCP Benefits Centre if you can reclaim JSA from 3/1/10 when the tax years 07/08 & 08/09 would be used to assess JSA(C).0
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claim for housing benefit and council tax credit.
The regulations say that two people need £280 a week to live on, and if your joint income is less than that you should be entitled to either or both.No Unapproved or Personal links in signatures please - FT30 -
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