JSA declined for being pro-active!!!

charchar_3

I've come to ask for advice from here, because im sure my 7 yr old is sick of hearing it!

I was made to switch over from Income support to JSA as my son had reached 7. I was granted JSA but now it has been declined because I was honest and open about telling them that I was doing a part-time NVQ which you have to do voluntary work for.

I have faxed of a letter to the delivery centre stating that the voluntary work is part of the course and that i believe people who gain qualifications to help them come of benefits should not be penalised for being pro-active.

Does anyone know what i could claim or do if this is declined again?? I have already informed them that i am willing to give up the course if a job comes up and they understand that i am actively seeking and applying for jobs, they have proof of this!

Any advice would be most welcome

allen35

Are you doing voluntary work and whilst doing it you are working towards an NVQ?

charchar_3

allen35 wrote: »

Are you doing voluntary work and whilst doing it you are working towards an NVQ?

Yes it's a part-time course, the voluntary work has to be done as it's a vocational qualification

allen35

charchar wrote: »

Yes it's a part-time course, the voluntary work has to be done as it's a vocational qualification

I work for a charity and many volunteers work up to 30 hours per week (allowed) and undertake NVQ's without it affecting their benefits.

I'm thinking with you saying part time course, has this been judged as something else.

In your defence have you stated what i said, that you volunteer for ........ and whilst volunteering you are taking an NVQ to enhance your prospects.

With volunteering you only have to take a job within a week rather than 24-48 hours i'm sure

allen35

Arrrh, reading again you're not a volunteer, how many hours per week is the course including vocational work

charchar_3

allen35 wrote: »

Arrrh, reading again you're not a volunteer, how many hours per week is the course including vocational work

It's 4 hours college with minimum 15 hours work per week, but apparently 15 hrs on the minimum wage would tip me over the edge of being able to claim JSA that 's why it's been declined (so i have been told) although the first person i spoke to told me it's because i should be receiving an educational bursary (no idea where he got that info from).

I'm just worried about if it's declined again, i really don't see how me gaining a qualification and work experience should stop me from receiving JSA when some people do nothing about looking for work and receive it for years!!

allen35

It's nothing to do with that, it's about being actively seeking and being available for work.

Did they offer you a 15 hour post at minimum wage, why didn't you accept it.

allen35

I take it their classing this course as 19 hours and therefore you wouldn't be able to claim JSA.

charchar_3

allen35 wrote: »

It's nothing to do with that, it's about being actively seeking and being available for work.

Did they offer you a 15 hour post at minimum wage, why didn't you accept it.

They haven't offered me work. I only recieved one payment of JSA before it was stopped. I've done all they've asked me to in proving that i'm applying for jobs, filling in the book, i even gave them a copy of an interview letter which unfortunately i didn't get due to lack of experience, hence why i'd like to finish the course (I only have 2 months left).

charchar_3

allen35 wrote: »

I take it their classing this course as 19 hours and therefore you wouldn't be able to claim JSA.

So if i quit the course and the voluntary work, sat on my bum all day and put in some random comments on the book saying i looked in the job paper then i'd be accepted for JSA??

allen35

Speak to your course providerand ask them can you reduce your vocational hours to 9 plus 4 in the classroom.

This shouldn't be a problem.

By the way who enrolled you for this course, was it a single parent adviser by any chance...or did you find it yourself.