JSA Advice

geministar2008

Hello i have a few questions:

1/ i'm on income based JSA and i have checked about cold weather payments. I think iam due to receive one, but as yet i have not had a payment. How long does this usually take? I have noted on the post code search it states If you have qualified for Cold Weather Payments since 1 November 2010. I didnt start claiming JSA until 19th November. Although i know the cold spell came after i started claiming. Does this mean i probably wont get one?

2/ My signing on job centre is a journey via bus and with the local weather here set to turn to snow again tonight = buses not running, what happens if i cannot get to the job centre to sign on. Will they still release my payment?

3/ I am due to sign on on New Years Eve, will this be a normal signing day?

4/ what happens with payments due around New Years Eve, do you get them earlier?

Thanks

MrsManda

geministar2008 wrote: »

Hello i have a few questions:

1/ i'm on income based JSA and i have checked about cold weather payments. I am due to receive one, but as yet i have not had a payment. How long does this usually take?

After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should receive a payment to your account within 14 working days.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018668

geministar2008 wrote: »

2/ My signing on job centre is a journey via bus and with the local weather here set to turn to snow again tonight = buses not running, what happens if i cannot get to the job centre to sign on. Will they still release my payment?

You need to contact the JCP and discuss signing on a different day, don't just not turn up.

geministar2008 wrote: »

3/ I am due to sign on on New Years Eve, will this be a normal signing day?

Yes, it's not a bank holiday

geministar2008 wrote: »

4/ what happens with payments due around New Years Eve, do you get them earlier?

No as it's not a bank holiday

geministar2008

thanks for the advice. Dont understand New year though, someone i know was due to sign last new years eve and was told not to. and the chap at job centre other week says payments due around New Year you get early. Will check again as bit confused!

MrsManda

It's worth checking about signing on and payment dates around Christmas/New Year with the Jobcentre but I don't see why they'd be early if they're not meant to fall on a bank holiday.

Jobcentre opening times over Christmas/New Year:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_193137

Tax credits are paid early when their payment date falls on a bank holiday:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCreditsandChildBenefit/TaxCredits/Paymentsandentitlement/payments/DG_175664

mcjordi

payments for new years eve are normal.. my payments for IS landed on NYE last year and was paid on NYE

same as this year.!

scot88

Do check with jobcentre. I signed today and was told not to return til 13 january. Also next payment will be early as it's due 2nd Jan.

geministar2008

thank you everyone will double check again tmr!

geministar2008

Ok well i do not have to sign on on NYE, money is not effected for me as payment will clear in my account on Wed 5th.

Cold weather payment they had no clue about, said you have to apply, which you dont. Seemed to think i wasnt old enough, i'm not on about winter fuel payment, Said maybe it wasnt cold enough in my postcode, told them i had checked the post code checker on the directgov site and said i was entitled to 1 cold weather payment!Told me to call the main number. Which i have but i'm either left in a queue forever and then it cuts off or i just get so far and then get an engaged tone. Can anyone suggest an alternative number???? I'm guessing you cant email these people? The numbers i have tried are 08456088624, 084560413719. I'm based in Truro, Cornwall.

Someone i know who is on income support in my area received their payment on the 15th december.

thanks again guys.

starryshell

From the DWP website:

If you get Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) during the assessment phase or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you must also receive a pensioner or disability premium or have a child who is disabled or under the age of 5.

So if you're not a pensioner, disabled or have a small child, you won't get any payment.

This is leaving a lot of people freezing this year, and I do wonder how many may die from hypothermia as a result of not being able to turn on the heat very much when the temperatures are -10.

w w w .dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/sb16-a-guide-to-the-social/cold-weather-payments/

geministar2008

Thanks i was unaware that you have to have the other criteria as well. How ridiculous! At the end of the day if the temperature is as it is, everyone on a benefit should get a cold weather payment! Are they saying the average person is ok to sit freezing??! Sometimes the system really gets on my wick! Grr. Anyway thank you for the information, saves me wasting my time on the phone! Merry xmas everyone bah humbug ha

sammyjammy

geministar2008 wrote: »

Thanks i was unaware that you have to have the other criteria as well. How ridiculous! At the end of the day if the temperature is as it is, everyone on a benefit should get a cold weather payment! Are they saying the average person is ok to sit freezing??! Sometimes the system really gets on my wick! Grr. Anyway thank you for the information, saves me wasting my time on the phone! Merry xmas everyone bah humbug ha

No they shouldn't. Everyone pretty much has a fixed income that they have to budget for, working people don't get extra money if its very cold and if you're fit and healthy and don't have small children you don't need extra money. Put a couple of jumpers on and get yourself a blanket, thats whay i have to do and I work full time.