Jobseekers Allowence

Lunarben

Hello all...

The jobcentre or DWP and I have been in a bit of disagreement recently, about Jobseekers allowance i apparently claimed between last June and the end of August. I started a new job in June and remember phoning them up as I couldn't get into the jobcenter, and informing them that I had an interview, and would be starting a new job at Virgin media. Around about last November they informed me that I owed around £350 from claiming jobseekers allowance while I was in employment. This obviously infuriated me as they are accusing me of committing benefit fraud. I printed out bank statements covering the dates that they had accused me of taking this money, which proved that the money had not been paid into my account. I also explained that I had phoned them up in June to inform them of my new job.

Recently I received another letter, saying that they had made their decision and chose to basically ignore my statements, and now they want around £550, they also informed me that this is fully recoverable. Another thing that made me chuckle, they want it by 2 weeks time.

As there is no real way I can prove that I phoned them up, I think I should just stick to my decision and let them take me to court, I'm guessing they will be able to look at their records and see that I have phoned them. But could something as silly as the call centre advisor not writing down that I had called about the job in the notes on my file lead the court to believe that I owe this money?

I know for a fact that I do not owe a penny, which is why as you can probably imagine I am so infuriated.

Any ideas people, and has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks..

concerned43

I would advise that you do not allow this to go to court. Ask the DWP to provide proof that funds where transfered into your account -account no, amount, dates etc - then you can check you account. See CAB for further advice.

healy

Lunarben wrote: »

Hello all...

The jobcentre or DWP and I have been in a bit of disagreement recently, about Jobseekers allowance i apparently claimed between last June and the end of August. I started a new job in June and remember phoning them up as I couldn't get into the jobcenter, and informing them that I had an interview, and would be starting a new job at Virgin media. Around about last November they informed me that I owed around £350 from claiming jobseekers allowance while I was in employment. This obviously infuriated me as they are accusing me of committing benefit fraud. I printed out bank statements covering the dates that they had accused me of taking this money, which proved that the money had not been paid into my account. I also explained that I had phoned them up in June to inform them of my new job.

Recently I received another letter, saying that they had made their decision and chose to basically ignore my statements, and now they want around £550, they also informed me that this is fully recoverable. Another thing that made me chuckle, they want it by 2 weeks time.

As there is no real way I can prove that I phoned them up, I think I should just stick to my decision and let them take me to court, I'm guessing they will be able to look at their records and see that I have phoned them. But could something as silly as the call centre advisor not writing down that I had called about the job in the notes on my file lead the court to believe that I owe this money?

I know for a fact that I do not owe a penny, which is why as you can probably imagine I am so infuriated.

Any ideas people, and has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks..

You should be able to appeal this to an independent tribunal, you need to write a letter to say you wish to appeal and why or you could complete GL24 which is available from the DWP or can be found online. Once you have done this hopefully the DWP will see their mistake before you have to go to the appeal.

getridofmydebt

Do you not have to sign at the the jobcentre every week/two weeks to recieve your JSA? things may have changed since i was unemployed a few years ago.
If you did not sign on you did not receive any money. If the case is you do still have to sign on ask them for proof of all the times you visited the jobcentre between June and August. Your signature is a declaration you are available and actively seeking employment. If you was working they will not have this proof.

busy_mom_2

were you on a course prior to starting work?

You do have to sign every two weeks or benefit doesn't get paid. Exception to this is if you were on training and you are excused then beneift goes automatically evey two weeks unless told otherwise. The provider is responsible for notifying JCP of changes same as you, difference is any overpayments are classed as official error and mainly written off.

NASA_2

Good question busy mom.

To get JSA you have to sign on every two weeks, unless you are on some course, so unless you signed on every two weeks then I find it hard to see how they can raise this against you.