JSA - Home visit by Compliance Officer? RESULT

Orville

Cambridge32 wrote: »

OK, the Compliance (fraud) lady came to my house and asked me some questions while she filled out a long form. She was very polite and professional.

In terms of paperwork, she only wanted to see bank statements for my bills account, which shows regular monthly payments from myself and my co-tenant, and the house rental agreement. This was not at all what I was expecting, as the CAB suggested that the DWP would come and have a look around the house and at all of my financial documents, so I had all of my wage slips, P60, bank statements, share statements etc. out ready for viewing!

She mentioned (very non-comittally) that the bills account statement was good evidence, but didn't seem too interested (or concerned) about anything else (including statements for my other bank accounts or even ID for that matter), although she did ask me about my savings (I have more than 6k but much less than 16k). She mentioned that she would refer the information to a decision maker (presumably somebody higher up who makes a decision?) and said that I would hear within a week but it has been almost two weeks and so far I have heard nothing.

I have actually now ended my claim after a total of ~6 weeks because my previous employer has unexpectedly asked me to come back for half a year's work at a reduced salary (this is good as it means I can put off relocating for another 6 months). The Local Authority suspended my Housing Benefit claim over a week ago as they have heard nothing from the DWP either so it is just as well that I do have some savings otherwise I would eventually be on the phone to my mum for a handout.

My new employer has already asked me for my P45 but presumably I have to wait for the DWP to send me a new one? And also the DWP presumably need the decision maker to make a decision first before they can issue me with a P45??

I didn't think JSA affects housing benefit..? i always thought you could claim it without claiming jsa..?

ALIBOBSY

dmg24 wrote: »

I agree that it certainly can, but the JCP/ LA are still much more likely to question the relationship between a man and a woman who are living together than two people of the same sex.

Nope totally wrong, any claims where 2 or more people lived at the same address of any sex are referred for "living together" action.
The dec maker may well take one look at say fine its just 2 mates or student household/multi occupancy. But many will be sent forward for a visit.

They will ask lots of questions, but basically they are looking to see if you are "supporting" each other financially. Not nescessarily a sexual or emtional link, although they also consider this as well. They are considering if you are one household or 2 separate households.

ali x

Cambridge32

Update - OK, still no news, so I telephoned today (cost me £4 for the call as I was on hold for a while). I spoke with a very helpful lady who told me that I should have had a decision by now as it has been 6 weeks since my initial claim (now ended). The lady said that she would refer me to "New Claims", took my contact number, told me that I would be telephoned today, and then I could hear her typing when I was inexplicably cut off! Not sure what happened but hopefully I will be called back today with some news.

It's lucky that I am fortunate enough to have some savings - I cannot imagine what it must be like for people trying to make a claim who have literally nothing in the bank. I would be horrified at the thought of having to wait for 6 weeks to even find out whether I was going to receive any money. Presumably there are lots of new claims of late and the DWP are just getting a little behind?

Cambridge32

!!!RESULT!!! :beer: :j

Just had a call from the DWP. It turns out that there was an administrative error at the very beginning of my claim and I should never have been referred for income-based JSA as I have sufficient contributions for contrbutions-based JSA. The visit by the Compliance Officer was also in error as this should not have happened for 6 months (so the gentleman said), although he also pointed out that the decision maker made his / her decison on the 25th October but they had been too busy to write to me about that. Apparently I should have been receiving the contributions-based JSA from the very beginning of my claim and the DWP has wasted its own time and caused me not inconsderable stress in the process.

The chap was very professional and actually offered an unreserved apology and said that he would process my claim this afternoon! Apparently I was misadvised when I initiated the claim 6 weeks ago.

They are going to send me a P45 and an entitlement letter (which will enable me to claim my Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit arrears). I am so happy

msgnomey

a good result!!

System

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

Nope totally wrong, any claims where 2 or more people lived at the same address of any sex are referred for "living together" action.
The dec maker may well take one look at say fine its just 2 mates or student household/multi occupancy. But many will be sent forward for a visit.

They will ask lots of questions, but basically they are looking to see if you are "supporting" each other financially. Not nescessarily a sexual or emtional link, although they also consider this as well. They are considering if you are one household or 2 separate households.

ali x

Not always, hasn't happened to me and my flatmate yet? And i've lived here since July. Unless its cos it hasn't been six months? Not that it bothers me, they're welcome to come round.