A few DWP questions

lynzpower

Hi everyone,

Wondering if you can help us:

1) OH called the DWP a few times today to try to speak to the person who may have some influence over when he will receive his JSA money. He applied 6 weeks ago, had his positive decision letter about a week ago, and although has signed off earlier this week as he has found some short term temp work, he has yet to receive a payment from the DWP and obv no wages until end of next week at the earliest ( his agency wont do payments in advance)

He was told he would get the money into his account on Tuesday or Wednesday latest, this has not happened. He is now over his overdraft, as am I.

The problem is that he only has £6 credit on his travel card which will see him to work and back tomorrow but no cash for getting to work next week. I'm aware its Friday tomorrow.

He works 9.30-6.30 in another borough so no way he can pop in or anything to chase, hassle, apply for crisis loan etc.

He tried to call them today to chase it up, but recorded message on the line said "We cannot connect with your mobile network, please call on another line". He tried a few times and repeatedly got this message: He is with vodaphone: is Vodaphone a banned line for calling the DWP I had no idea.

2) Is a loan classed as Income from the DWP? I.e. If I took a personal loan out would this impact on his claim? I am currently unemployed anyhow so this is a long shot but a mate said they would take a loan out for me for example....

Not ideal but we are dead broke with not a lot of cash on the horizon.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

L x

HappyMJ

You can take out a crisis loan in your name and the money owed to him will be paid soon.

lynzpower

HappyMJ wrote: »

You can take out a crisis loan in your name and the money owed to him will be paid soon.

I dont think i can as Im not a claimant?

HappyMJ

lynzpower wrote: »

I dont think i can as Im not a claimant?

You don't need to be a claimant to get a crisis loan. If you aren't working you should have the time to sort it out.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018856

lynzpower

HappyMJ wrote: »

You don't need to be a claimant to get a crisis loan. If you aren't working you should have the time to sort it out.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018856

Thank you

I do work ( unpaid) plus I am at uni, however, I have tomorrow afternoon off.

Will crisis loan pay me there and then in cash? How much could I get? ie could I get a bit extra, we have no food in ( eg 35.00)

Are they happy to give loans to people with no income?

HappyMJ

lynzpower wrote: »

Thank you

I do work ( unpaid) plus I am at uni, however, I have tomorrow afternoon off.

Will crisis loan pay me there and then in cash? How much could I get? ie could I get a bit extra, we have no food in ( eg 35.00)

Are they happy to give loans to people with no income?

You said your OH has an income. Yes they are happy to lend on that basis. You will get the same amount to top you up to 2 weeks JSA. So £105.95 times 2 less the £35 you have so you may get up to about £176.90. It will always be credited to your account.

lynzpower

Sorry, Im not sure what you mean, I dont have 35.00 I just wondered if we could borrow 35 on a crisis loan for food and for his travel card.

I wouldnt ask for more than that as obviously to borrow it we have to pay it back and we need most of the JSA for rent.

lynzpower

Does anyone know if the loan would be classed as income?

real1314

Loans are most definitely not treated as income.

The money from them could in theory be treated as capital though, if it were saved. :cool:

HappyMJ

lynzpower wrote: »

Sorry, Im not sure what you mean, I dont have 35.00 I just wondered if we could borrow 35 on a crisis loan for food and for his travel card.

I wouldnt ask for more than that as obviously to borrow it we have to pay it back and we need most of the JSA for rent.

Can you survive 2 weeks on £35? I couldn't. You need to get a crisis loan large enough to survive for 2 weeks without having to apply for another one. You don't have to spend it you can keep it as a buffer and repay it when your OH is paid. You said he's paid at the end of next week "at the earliest". You need to consider when he might be paid "at the latest" and get enough money until then.

lynzpower

HappyMJ wrote: »

Can you survive 2 weeks on £35? I couldn't. You need to get a crisis loan large enough to survive for 2 weeks without having to apply for another one. You don't have to spend it you can keep it as a buffer and repay it when your OH is paid. You said he's paid at the end of next week "at the earliest". You need to consider when he might be paid "at the latest" and get enough money until then.

Sorry maybe im a little slow on the uptake!

surely if his JSA hasnt been paid over the last 6 weeks and he has had his decision letter then it couldnt be delayed for more than another week could it? I dont want us to borrow too mcuh as obvioulsy it will come out of the money that is due: which we need to pay the top up of the rent (when the rent is due)

At the latest, well it could be months- if the DWP are anything to go by: like anything its as predictable as the recruitment agency pressing the right buttons, OH submitting his online time sheet properly etc etc.

From time to time these things can go wrong!