Minimum JSA Payment allowed?

Lillyme

I am on income based JSA, single F. 57. Out of work since January.Live alone.

I have worked well over 30yrs, bought up kids. When kids were young I had been on income support for a few months between jobs and whenstarted new job.I kept claiming till I was paid 6wks later, then handed in book. I was hauled in and interviewed as a fraud case and even tho I explained I didnt have any other income during that time, till I got paid, for me and kids to live on, they still said it was an overpayment, I wasn't entitled, that it all had to be repaid.

They are now taking £12 per week off my JSA and I was only getting £60 per week anyway. I have £49.86 per week to live on. It doesnt cover basic bills/needs ie water,electric.food,monthly Bank Charges for overdraft come out, fares n applications re job search and I cant afford to eat properly and getting further in to debt.

I have appealed and filled out income/outgoing form, but wanted to know if there was a legal minimum that you have to have paid to you to live on?

karenx

When starting a new job you have to sign of income support. So yes it was definatly an overpayment as you cant be earning money while being on income support.
They can take money of your JSA to repay this. JSA wont be interested in bank charges you have to pay or any debts etc. So when filling out an incomings and outgoings form it should only include the basics of heating, electricity etc.

Mum2twins98

Lillyme wrote: »

I am on income based JSA, single F. 57. Out of work since January.Live alone.

I have worked well over 30yrs, bought up kids. When kids were young I had been on income support for a few months between jobs and whenstarted new job.I kept claiming till I was paid 6wks later, then handed in book. I was hauled in and interviewed as a fraud case and even tho I explained I didnt have any other income during that time, till I got paid, for me and kids to live on, they still said it was an overpayment, I wasn't entitled, that it all had to be repaid.

They are now taking £12 per week off my JSA and I was only getting £60 per week anyway. I have £49.86 per week to live on. It doesnt cover basic bills/needs ie water,electric.food,monthly Bank Charges for overdraft come out, fares n applications re job search and I cant afford to eat properly and getting further in to debt.

I have appealed and filled out income/outgoing form, but wanted to know if there was a legal minimum that you have to have paid to you to live on?

Have they said how much you were over paid by ?
I would clearly state that you are not denying that it shouldn't be paid back but £12 a week is more than you can afford too give them, failing this i would talk to the CAB i do understand what you mean when you say if you had given in early you would have had no money at all, but they don't see it this way.

Lillyme

MUMToTWINS -yes that was my point then, I would have had zero to live on for 6 weeks for myself n 2 kids!

I have however accepted it and agreed it will be paid back long ago - its about £600 - and have only laid out my basic outgoings to live on - on form - not Bank Charges etc

All I wanted to know is if there is a MINIMUM they can pay me on JSA NOW to live on as I can't find any info.

Thank you for responses

Indie_Kid

Mum2twins98 wrote: »

Have they said how much you were over paid by ?
I would clearly state that you are not denying that it shouldn't be paid back but £12 a week is more than you can afford too give them, failing this i would talk to the CAB i do understand what you mean when you say if you had given in early you would have had no money at all, but they don't see it this way.

CAB should be able to negoiate on the OP's behalf. They can also (if needed) talk to the DWP on her behalf. DWP may talk to OP to see if she agrees with this.

Tobiwan_Kenobi

I think the lowest you get is Hardship, which is around £35 a week. You're better off receiving what you're getting now and paying off the money you claimed fraudulently. Although as people have said, you may be able to negotiate on the rate you repay what is owed.

NASA_2

There is no minimum as far as I know. I've seen payments reduced to 10p a week before so the situation in the OP isnt anything close to the worst I have seen.

KimYeovil

If you can't live on £50 per week then you will not be able to live on £64.30 per week. Shape up and cut your cloth.

But why did you not repay the money then once you were paid instead of waiting until now when you are on an unwaged income? You chose this strategy, don't complain now.

And stop wasting money paying bank charges - stay within your limits.

Lillyme

I couldn;t pay it back out of my wages at that point as they were to live on the following month !

thank you for your answers - I don't find them encouraging - if the system worked properly at the time there would have been a 'run-on' payment so it didnt have to be fraudulant - the kids dad who walked out wasn't willing to help so what was I to do ? Stay on benefits and not ever go back to work?!!!!!

the only time they have asked for re payment or contacted me since is now I am on JSA for the first time in years

My bank charges are for an overdraft that I have no hope of clearing till I start work so the monthly payment will be taken off until the overdraft is zero.

I hope you all live blameless and easy lives and thank heaven I do not judge others as fast and easily as you seem to do

dmg24

You could have asked for a Crisis Loan or a Budgeting Loan. You did not have to commit fraud.

Lillyme

i was not aware i was commiting fraud it was not a deliberate action it was totally innocent

as soon as i was paid i returned my book telling them the date i started work

it was only then they requested i attend an interview at dss - i had worked for years i did not know how the system worked


i WAS TAKEN TO A ROOM SAT AT A TABLE AND A TAPE RECORDER SWITCHED ON - i WAS HORRIFIED - I HAD NO IDEA UNTIL THAT POINT I HAD DONE WRONG