JSA refusing to help me!

Sarahjaned

Hi I recently became unemployed, I have always worked and the benefits system is a total puzzle to me. However I did as advised filled in all forms went to several different appoi tments and now 5 weeks later I have had 3 payments of Jsa been paid Into someones elses account. I have now spent 5 days 9 visits to the job centre 6 to the Halifax and 42 phon calls to try and get my money.
Jsa say I have to get it from the Halifax and Halifax say to get it from Jsa. No one is helping me and I don't know what to do or where to turn.
I have a grand total of 47 pence to my name please can someone advise me. Thanks in advance.

RAS

If the JSA has been paid into someone else's account, then you cannot get the money back from that account (unless you know the person and they pay you?).

Do you know the person?

Sambucus_Nigra

Did you give the wrong bank details or have they made a mistake?

Sarahjaned

No do not know the person who's account they have paid it into.
And the Job centre made the error with the account number.

I feel very let down I am 37 and worked full time since I was 15 and this is the first time I've have been on any benefit and it seems as my knowlege of this system is limited it's even harder to find the correct advise.
They are saying I will not be entitled to any money until May 16th so how myself and my two children are to survive is now worrying me

HappyMJ

Get a crisis loan. Get advice. MP? CAB? Somewhere local.

merlin68

Are you getting child tax credit and child benefit?

AsknAnswer2

The DWP can only refuse to replace the payment if they have made the payment using the account details you provided.

If they have made a mistake in entering the account information and it doesn't match the information you provided then they have to replace the payment.

If you are certain that the error is on their part, then send a letter of complaint, asking for a written response explaining why they are refusing to rectify their error. Alternatively, you could go to your MP who will ask them for an explanation. In the meantime, apply for a crisis loan to support yourself until May 16th.

gillianne

hi i used to work as a jsa adviser so i can tell u if they have made the error by puttin in the wrong details then they have to class it as a official error and write the money off they then can pay u the amount plus any arrears u r due this can be done without u waitin u can also tell them that u cant wait for the money to go into ur account due to hard ship and they have the facilitys to give u a giro even though they like to tell u they no longer r available believe u me yes they r and each job centre holds a stock of them.

u can also apply for a crisis loan which will b paid to u the same day as long as u ring them in the mornin preferably.

the only thing u have to remember is most dont like to admit a mistake and always ask for the name of the person who is in charge of ur area and tell them u r making a official complaint and u will get taken more seriosly x

hope this helps x

NickyBat

the quickest way to get this sorted is first thing tomorrow go to your local MP's office and tell them everything that has happened, a phonecall to the DWP from an MP will make them move.....fast.
Alternatively if you can't do that get an appt at your jobcentre, see an adviser and ask them to show you what bank account details they are holding for you. if they are different to the one you gave them they HAVE to replace the payments and they can do it the same day.

baza52

Sarahjaned wrote: »

No do not know the person who's account they have paid it into.
And the Job centre made the error with the account number.

I feel very let down I am 37 and worked full time since I was 15 and this is the first time I've have been on any benefit and it seems as my knowlege of this system is limited it's even harder to find the correct advise.
They are saying I will not be entitled to any money until May 16th so how myself and my two children are to survive is now worrying me

Welcome to the real world. its not all about flat screen tv's and holidays to florida.
Are you saying you have been paid (into the wrong acct) or are you saying you wont be paid until may 16th?
When you left work did you get any pay to cover you till the 16th?
What is the reason they have given you for the late payment?

shellsuit

Sarah, are you single?

Have you claimed Income Support if you are?

Have you informed tax credits?