A question about proof of "actively seeking work" for JSA

thejazzpunk

I am currently claiming JSA after being made redundant last year and spending the last 9 months at university to re-train to hopefully improve my job prospects. :think:

As part of the claim I have to provide proof of my job seeking activities between signing on days. To do this and for my own records, I have created a spreadsheet where I list my application details, feedback etc and until today this has been seen as adequate at the Job Centre. I have now been given a special form to fill in which duplicates my own record and the wording of the questions seem to imply scrounging and being work shy. Which I am definitely not and I resent this implication.:mad:

Does anyone know if the Job Centre can force me to fill in their duplicate form? or can I continue providing my own evidence in my own format? :question::question::question: I was told it was part of a new government initiative but have not been able to find any evidence of this on the internet.

This may seem like a small detail in the scheme of things but the JSA process eats away at your self-esteem and I would just like to keep this part of it under my own control.

I would be especially grateful to hear from anyone working at a Job Centre but would be happy to hear from anyone who might have some insight about this.

Thanks.:)

dmg24

Yes, they can insist that you complete the form. It forms a part of your JS Agreement and refusal to not do it could lead to your claim being sanctioned.

garston_T

i simply print off my email sendbox and inbox as evidence, as i do all my searching online. i throw the JC jobsearch booklet in the garbage. the JC in question sounds very picky.

DCFC79

I just mentioned in the booklet where i looked for jobs and how many i applied for, could have changed since i was on it

cassieB57

you shouldn't have to fill in their form for every fortnightly jobsearch review if you are providing sufficient evidence of your jobsearch; in fact many people cannot fill in a form and a verbal jobsearch is acceptable. However it does sound like you've been asked to give more information on a separate form for a reason-have they said that there is a doubt about you actively seeking work or your availability for work for a specific period? If there IS a doubt your adviser should have given you a letter telling you this-I'd ask them to explain this for you. Quote from decision makers guide:"Evidence of jobsearch includes evidence in writing from employers, employment agencies or other bodies the claimant has contacted, copies of letters sent to employers,the claimants uncorroborated written evidence (claimants are advised to keep a record of their jobsearch and other efforts to find work) or the claimant's own verbal evidence, recorded by an officer of Jobcentreplus" Nowhere does it say in what form your record has to be-check if there is anything specific in your jobseekers agreement about this.

thejazzpunk

Thanks Cassie, this is what I thought. I haven't been singled out I was told they were doing this to everyone. There is nothing in the agreement and like I said my own evidence has been sufficient in the past. I can't find any evidence that the rules have changed.

cassieB57

managers in the jobcentres are getting tougher on making staff meet certain targets-including number of 'submissions' to Decision Makers for questions such as Refusing Employment, Actively Seeking Employment and Availability-in turn the FJR advisers are getting tougher on the customers-so they are only doing what they are paid to do; however many are not fully trained and often THINK they know the law but actually don't-not their fault as there is little if any time to spend improving their knowledge of the system, and they often dont get much proper training before going onto the 'frontline', often only getting to watch someone else for a week or two-and if THAT person hasn't much experience- well you get the idea!. They should still ensure that they tell you exactly why they are doing something, and justify it to you-end of the day it is called Job SEEKER'S Allowance, not Unemployment Benefit, but it does sound like you have been doing all you reasonably can to find work..good luck with that.

patman99

When I fill my jobsheet in, I find the following phrases useful, 'Looked online', 'No vacancies', 'Look tomorrow'. Keeps the JCP staff happy.

Savvy_Sue

If your spreadsheet includes the information they are asking for, I'd be tempted to staple it to the form, and write 'see attached' on it.

I am much better at completing things on line, my handwriting is not great!

seven-day-weekend

Good idea SS, I'd do that too.

Emmzi

surely it's 5 mins a day tops to fill in their form?

What's the fuss about?