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No money at all!

Hi,

I'm posting because I need help and could do with advice.

Short version: - I've been trying to get the Job Centre to pay me contribution-based JSA, but they say I've not paid enough NI. I've been in full time employment for the past 5 years - so have argued this is not true.

I last worked on 30th Aug. I resigned due to personal reasons. I didn't claim JSA for two months because I didn't want to have to and had a wee bit saved to live off. Countless job apps and interviews later = no job.

Started my claim on 8th Nov - have submitted my P60's TWICE (they lost them the first time) to prove my NI contributions...have banged my head against a brick wall...the dept.s don't even have telephone numbers between them...no communication there. I frequently cannot get anyone to answer when I ring them and when I do get to talk to someone, I've been told that they just don't have the staff to look at my claim for at least weeks.

I've told them I'm running out of food. They're not bothered. If it wasn't for my family, I'd be homeless and starved by now.

So my question: how can I get any money?? All the chivvying doesn't do anything...I'm getting so depressed I'm finding it hard to construct a cohesive argument.

Should I go to the press? My MP? Or will that just make things worse for me?

Thanks if anyone can help.
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Comments

  • pearl123
    pearl123 Posts: 2,082 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Hi Chaotic, If you cant borrow from friends and family at all - Then try and get a gov crisis loan. See link
    http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018856

    You will of course have to pay it back. Best Wishes.
  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chivvy

    We don't have time to respond to emails or any attempts to chivvy us up - sorry.
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • p00hsticks
    p00hsticks Posts: 14,616 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Not an expert, but a couple of things spring to mind ....

    If they say you are not eligible for CB JBA, can you not apply for income-based JSA instead ?

    Also, my understanding from reading these boards is that if you resigned from your job, that will be considered as making yourself intentionally unemployed, so you may find that even if they do accept your claim, it will be sanctioned for a number of weeks and you will not get any money anyhow...
  • pearl123
    pearl123 Posts: 2,082 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 8 December 2010 at 3:57PM
    I don't understand why you have to such a negative view from two posters. Obviously you have a bit of a problem, especially before Xmas.(Going to the press is however a silly idea) I repeat -try the gov crisis loan as soon as possible if family won't tied you over. I can think of no other solution. Best wishes
  • We don't have time to respond to emails or any attempts to chivvy us up - sorry.[/QUOTE]

    Ok - wrong choice of word. So sorry. I would never condone that approach.
  • Thanks Pearl - I'm ok for food and supplies because my family are helping me out, so the loan wouldn't be an option, but thanks for highlighting it to me.


    I resigned, as I said "for personal reasons" : I am not prepared to write about them here, but suffice to say it was not a move I took lightly or without good reason.

    I cannot claim Income-based JSA as I share a flat with someone who has some money put aside in a savings account. This does not change the fact that I have no money whatsoever.
  • gordikin
    gordikin Posts: 4,422 Forumite
    Is the person you share the flat with a 'partner'?
  • p00hsticks
    p00hsticks Posts: 14,616 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Chaotic wrote: »
    I resigned, as I said "for personal reasons" : I am not prepared to write about them here, but suffice to say it was not a move I took lightly or without good reason.

    Nor was I asking for the reason - I just wanted to make you aware (if you were not already) that you need to be prepared to explain the circumstances to the JobCentre if you are to avoid being sanctioned, and that you may as a result find that even when your NI contributions are sorted out that you do not receive any money for a number of weeks - possibly for the full 26 week period - so unfortunately you cannot count on getting this as a future source of income.
  • NickyBat
    NickyBat Posts: 857 Forumite
    Believe me the best thing to do is get your MP involved, they will soon find staff to look at your claim. Quite often there is a discrepancy between info from newcastle re ni conts and p60's but its up to them to see which is right.
    As another has already posted, because you resigned they may well sanction you (they may not) but at least if you have claimed your credits will be getting paid for you.
    Get you MP involved asap.
  • pearl123
    pearl123 Posts: 2,082 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Have you got anything you can sell on ebay? That could make some money. Otherwise all you can do is wait for your claim to be handled.
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