The Benefits System..is it just me or...

blackdoor

Hello All

I would just like to ask who else is at there wits end with there local job centre or benefits office.

My partner and I recently came out of work due to redundany in April 2006. We have been suffering at the hands of our 'Beneifts System'.

My partner has worked no stop since being a school leaver and it 29 now. He has been waiting 5 weeks to receive Job Seekers Allowance and cannot even be issued an emergancy payment. We were told today they have probably lost the claim forms and to fill them in again. It's absolutley scadelous. We are furious!

The amount of difficultly getting help with Contribution Based Job Seekers Allowance (Claiming money back we have already paid into) is unbelievable.

They lose forms you fill in and make duplicated work for everyone.

Even the staff in my local job centre have complained about 'the system' and how it is designed in reverse, not to help the people that have worked and paid into the system, but those who have never worked and simpy claim benefits left right and centre.

It have taken 16 weeks (and counting) for Manchester City Council to process housing and council tax benefit for my partner and I.

It really has been unacceptable - can anything be done to fight the incompetitence of the 'system'?? I'd also like to hear from people who work for for job centres and benefits office of their view.

It's appauling and something should be done to stop it.

Mrs_Arkwright

I do sympathise with you.

I have to say though, the one and only time I had to claim JA, the claim was done and dusted really quickly and the money always went into the bank on time, I didn't have any problems at all. Same with Tax Credits (touch wood) - never had a problem - always just phoned them up with my figures each renewal, they take the info and the money has always been paid on time.

In fact I have been very pleasantly surprised and impressed with the whole benefits system whenever we have had to deal with them.

Perhaps you've just been unlucky. But I hope you get it sorted.

The CSA on the other hand.....made my initial claim nearly 13 years ago - had a handful of tiny payments and am now chasing 4 grand arrears. Apparently my 'caseworker' left and they didn't think to assign my case to someone else. But that's another story and off topic.

tanith

I recently had to claim benefit for the first time in my life.. and so far everything has gone quickly and smoothly , maybe I am a lucky one... best bit of advice I can give you is take copies of EVERYTHING..... I have copied everything including the claims form, doctors certificates and everything else.. I haven't needed anything so far but you never know....