Refused decision in writing

Orionsbelt_2

My son 17 came home from New Zealand after a year living with his dad and tried to claim job seekers allowance. During his year in NZ I moved from Wales to Devon and my situation is such that my son cannot live with me and I do not work or claim any benefit so have no way to provide for him. He moved in with his nan in Wales but as she is a widower living on state pension she only took him in under the understanding he could support himself.

So since he was refused JSA and cannot find work he is destitute and his nan has asked him to leave as she cannot support him. He went to the Job Centre today and asked for the decision to be sent to me in writing so that I could challenge the decision but they have refused saying they “cannot divulged this information”

How can they refuse to give this information in writing, how can I possibly challenge their decision without them stating the reasons for refusal in writing?

I feel useless as he is all the way up in Wales, calling me in tears and asking if I can help, how can I tell him that I cant help and that living on the streets wont be so bad.

It just feels wrong that they can refuse to even give their decision in writing let alone for a child onto the street.

Does anyone know if im entitled to this information so that I can challenge their decision.

Many thanks for any help you can offer

Gleeful

How is your situation as such that you would rather see him on the streets than live with you?!

lovetowinacar

Orionsbelt wrote: »

My son 17 came home from New Zealand after a year living with his dad and tried to claim job seekers allowance. During his year in NZ I moved from Wales to Devon and my situation is such that my son cannot live with me and I do not work or claim any benefit so have no way to provide for him. He moved in with his nan in Wales but as she is a widower living on state pension she only took him in under the understanding he could support himself.

So since he was refused JSA and cannot find work he is destitute and his nan has asked him to leave as she cannot support him. He went to the Job Centre today and asked for the decision to be sent to me in writing so that I could challenge the decision but they have refused saying they “cannot divulged this information”

How can they refuse to give this information in writing, how can I possibly challenge their decision without them stating the reasons for refusal in writing?

I feel useless as he is all the way up in Wales, calling me in tears and asking if I can help, how can I tell him that I cant help and that living on the streets wont be so bad.

It just feels wrong that they can refuse to even give their decision in writing let alone for a child onto the street.

Does anyone know if im entitled to this information so that I can challenge their decision.

Many thanks for any help you can offer

You live in Devon and do not work or claim any benefits - can he not sleep on your sofa and look for work in Devon? He will then be closer to you and could use your address and ask for decision in writing to be sent to him there, you can then support him (emotionally) rather than he talks about life on the streets.

McKneff

This has got to be a wind up surely.

if you have no work, no money, how do you eat, how do you live.

Any mother, grandma worth their salt would give their child more than half of what little they have.

You should be ashamed of yourself whether its true or not.

Orionsbelt_2

My son emigrated to New Zealand with his dad as sponsor in May 2009. My son had to move back to the UK because the relationship with his dad broke down. During that time I moved from Wales to Devon and I am now living in rented accommodation with my boyfriend, I do not work and I do not claim any benefit, I have no assets or collateral and my boyfriend has no parental responsibility to my son, my boyfriend works and does not claim any benefit, he does not have the money, means, desire or legal obligation to support my son.

My son cannot live with me as my landlord would not agree to this and I do not have the means to take other accommodation without both leaving my boyfriend and claiming benefit myself (obviously not a good answer to this problem)

I would simply like to know if I am or my son is entitled to have the decision to withhold JSA given in writing so that I can appeal the decision.

I am not on here to justify my sons claim for JSA, I have obviously thought long and hard about options for my son and I fully believe under current UK rules he is entitled to JSA.

McKneff

At 17 he is still a minor and your responsibility till he is 18.

The boyfriend sounds like a piece of work to be honets. obviously he means more to you than your child.
Kick him into touch and look after your child.

And no. he is not entitled to JSA.

alwaysonthego_2

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10018757

It is not usually paid to 17 year olds only in special circumstances and this could include homelessness.

He could have also failed the habital residency test.

He needs help from a welfare rights worker found at the CAB.

Your son is still a child in the eyes of the law and needs some form of support.

Orionsbelt_2

So this forum is all about being judgmental and not about helping answer questions. You do not need to chastise me I feel bad enough as it is about the situation. Under current rules he is entitled to JSA and as such he deserves an answer in writing to a formal request for benefit.

Orionsbelt_2

alwaysonthego wrote: »

It is not usually paid to 17 year olds only in special circumstances and this could include homelessness.

He could have also failed the habital residency test.

He needs help from a welfare rights worker found at the CAB.

Your son is still a child in the eyes of the law and needs some form of support.

Thank you for your answer, yes he has a meeting aranged for CAB in Wales and I hope they can help. They have told him that he should get everything in writing yet they still refuse.

alwaysonthego_2

Orionsbelt wrote: »

Thank you for your answer, yes he has a meeting aranged for CAB in Wales and I hope they can help. They have told him that he should get everything in writing yet they still refuse.

Good luck!

Not all families can live together, when I was 17 I fell out with my parents and ended up having to claim housing benefit and IS, but I managed to get on a YTS and made up with my parents. Perhaps this is something you could encourage your son once he is sorted out to go on an educational course/training.

Oldernotwiser

Has it occurred to either you or your mother that he could return to education and you or she can then claim Child Benefit for him as well as Child Tax Credit. Surely this would be better than having a 17 year old start a life on benefits with few qualifications?