JSA income based and WRS

threedee

Hello people.

Well, after second addition to our family i had to finally do this benefits thing...

What i didn't expect was a requirement for me to have Workers Registration Scheme certificate (WRS).

I know i have registered when i had a first job in uk 6 years ago. Never received my certificate, probably lost in post or something...

Not too sure about second job (place i worked for for 4 years). I thought that was employers responsibility to at least remind me if it was compulsory.

Now, one year out of job, applying for income based. Did some research and afaik employer has to register me at UK Border Agency with WRS and have some kind of paperwork. Employer says he doesn't have anything of the sort.

How do i go about it ? J&B says they wont process the claim without WRS cert...

Any ideas welcome.

P.S. I'm a A8 citizen, living in Northern Ireland for the past 6 years.
P.P.S. I'd rather not do this, but at present i dont really have any choice... :mad:

threedee

Oh come on, someone ? Anyone ?

dmg24

As you have had no responses, what information have you found in the meantime?

threedee

Loads of contradicting info, my last employer lying and/or wont bother to look for paperwork.

Matters complicate because its Northern Ireland. Cant trust directgov, nidirectgow doesnt profide enough info on specifically N.I. based laws and rules, just a shallow explanation.

Been to J&B twice trying to convince them i live here for 6 years (worked for 5). Nothing short of handing in WRS helps. Payslips, P45s, P60s, bank statements, credit union savings book (empty as it is at the moment), doctors reg, natoional insurance contributions - apparently nothing proves me living and working here...

And as far as i know i cannot get replacement certs anyway.

GAH!!!!

amiehall

Oh dear. I can't really help. I hope you get it all sorted soon though. The only thing I can suggest is to contact your local MP and explain the problems you're having?

I presume you've been in touch to request a duplicate certificate as this would solve all the problems? I wouldn't just assume you won't be allowed one. Accidents happen, I'm sure if your documents had all been lost in a fire, there would be a way to replace them, they must have records.

Voyager2002

Talk to your MP.

briona

threedee wrote: »

What i didn't expect was a requirement for me to have Workers Registration Scheme certificate (WRS).

I know i have registered when i had a first job in uk 6 years ago. Never received my certificate, probably lost in post or something...

Not too sure about second job (place i worked for for 4 years). I thought that was employers responsibility to at least remind me if it was compulsory.

Now, one year out of job, applying for income based. Did some research and afaik employer has to register me at UK Border Agency with WRS and have some kind of paperwork. Employer says he doesn't have anything of the sort.

How do i go about it ? J&B says they wont process the claim without WRS cert...

Looking at UK Border Agency's website (link below), unless you met the exemption criteria you should have registered for the scheme. If you click on "Employers" from the left hand menu you will note that the onus was on you, and not your employer, to register – "Individual workers are responsible for making an application."

UKBA also states that WRS certificates can't be obtained retrospectively.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/eea/wrs/whomustregister/

I suggest that you check the list of exemptions on the above link. It may be that you didn't need to register, in which case there should be no reason why you couldn't claim income-based JSA.


Briona

von

To be entitled to Income-based JSA you have to prove, by way of Workers Registration Certificates that you have worked in the UK (and/or NI) for 12 months without a break of more than 30 days. If you are unable to provide this evidence then you are unlikely to be entitled to JSA(IB). It was your responsibility to obtain Worker's Registration Certificates for each Employer you worked for, it was not up to the Employer