Advice on JSA IB Decline

Mark0504

Can anyone please help me with this. My employment was terminated last March by my employer and due to a vindictive manager, he sabotaged my reference making it impossible to get accepted by any new employer. Any way this is not the problem, the problem I went to the union for help they said they could help me and would get the reference changed so I did not claim benefits as I thought I would be back in work. I registered online with the DWP in April but missed their telephone calls and no messages were left.

When if got to the end of May I realised that the union could not help and so I went to see a solicitor and contaced the DWP and completed my calim in June. They put me straight on JSA CB and refused to back date my claim to the date I was terminated saying it was my fault my claim was late but no one ever said they would not back date a claim. So my JSA started from June 2010 I have been paying my mortgage since March without any help and I only have enough savings left to pay September. I applied for JSA IB and this has been declined. They say we can live on £102 pw but they have not taken in to consideration our mortgage of £255 pw!

I have told them that I cannot pay my mortgage after this month and the reply I got from the DWP was to get my wife to stop working and go on benefits as well. Under the current Government I do not think they would be too happy with this idea. The DWP were no help and could not give me any answers other than the above.

What can I do to get help with mortgage payments!!

alwaysonthego_2

If your wife is earning above the minimum amount the government say a couple can live on and working more than 24 hours you will not be entitled to it. You would not get help with your mortgage.

Do you have children?

bigjl

I was told that it is illegal to actually give a bad reference, I was always led to believe the worst reference they can give is just to confirm that youworked for the company between the start and end dates.

Sam____2

If your wife gave up her job she would be sanctioned so there's no use going down that route.
because your wife is working you will only be entitled to conts based JSA wich will only be paid for a maximum of 26 weeks. They will not back date your claim as it was your responsibility to make a claim and they will only take your claim from the date you applied for JSA.
How many hours does your wife work and what are her wages? do you have any dependant children living with you?

Mark0504

Hello, my wife works 30 hrs per week and we have 2 dependants aged 15 & 13.

Sam____2

Mark0504 wrote: »

Hello, my wife works 30 hrs per week and we have 2 dependants aged 15 & 13.

then you would definately only qualify for the conts based JSA for up to 6 months I'm afraid, do you already have a claim for working tax credits and child tax credit? if not then get a claim in, if you already have a claim have you told them about your change of circs?

bigjl

You are in an awkward position, not one I would relish.

But for what it's worth you are in a position that I thought benefits where meant for, the unexpected situation, even if you where sacked you shouldn't be punished twice for one action.

Sadly with so much benefit dependancy in the UK everything has been tightened up, though as some know how to play the system expertly, it isn't the long term claimants that are being brought to book, normally the hard working bloke in an awkward and temporary situation.

For example my neighbour has been getting the mortgage paid for 2 years, not through circumstances beyond her control, but rather with a preplanned, and rather successfull, strategy.

dmg24

bigjl wrote: »

I was told that it is illegal to actually give a bad reference, I was always led to believe the worst reference they can give is just to confirm that youworked for the company between the start and end dates.

This is wrong. As long as the reference is accurate, the ex employer can say pretty much whatever they wish (within the bounds of reasonableness!).