Jon centre messing a claim up

smh1982

I'll try and keep this brief. Basically called job centre on 30th August to make a claim for JSA. Signed off on 15th September as I had got myself a job. Went to job centre during this time twice (once to set up claim and once to 'sign on'). Didn't receive any payment during this time and didn't claim for anything other than JSA.

Got offered a job which I started on 15th September. Let job centre know day before started new job by calling in with my booklet which had all the details of my new job. Also called them on day I started job. They said they hadn't received my booklet, but not to worry as they would take all the details. So gave them what they needed to know and didn't think anything of it.

On Friday 23rd Septmember, I received a letter from job centre stating they were paying me JSA from 2nd September, but only until 2nd March 2012. Tried calling them Friday, but after nearly 30 minutes on phone I gave up. Called them 4 times today, and got passed from pillar to post. First person said they would send an email and get someone to call me back by 12. Never got a call, so called back. They then gave me a number to call and said this number would put me through to someone who could close my case. Called that number and after 25 minutes finally got told it was the wrong number and that I needed to contact my local job centre (which I did and they told me to call an 0845 number, which I was on hold on for 25 minutes). They then said there were notes on my case, that it was still live and that there were aware of me calling several times to get it sorted. They said it would be done automatically, but the 3rd person I spoke to said I also needed to speak to someone else to close it down (the 4th person).

I really need help as I don't want to get done for benefit fraud. I have never known it be so hard to come off benefits. Surely it's in their interests that I have a job. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. I NEED ADVISE.

[Deleted User]

probably best now if you put it in writing

NASA_2

I dont see how you could possibly be done for fraud here.

The letter you got about being paid JSA to March. That will be because you are entitled to JSA(C) and the six months run out in March. You would have to keep signing on to actually receive money up to that time.

Nothing to worry about - they just need to close the claim and get you paid up to the day before you started work.

Jai_M

First 3 days, new claim you get no money...
30aug - 2nd sept - nothing as new claim
2nd sept to 15th you should get money. (remember this is the jobcenter and take about 4/6 weeks to pay you your first giro)

"On Friday 23rd Septmember, I received a letter from job centre stating they were paying me JSA from 2nd September, but only until 2nd March 2012." - Great you can get JSA, for 6 months... (You can get Contrib based JSA for 6 months) before going income based. Have a look again at the letter, it should have a payment date on it.

So now, you've notified them of a change (to close the account, as you got a job)...

Slowly they'll work out that the claim is closed and you'll get your 13 days of money.

So now you waiting for another letter: one to say that due to a change in circs you cant get JSA (you got a job).

Either way, If you dont sign you decleration (once a fortnight) they wont give you any money. So dont worry about it being fraud.

smh1982

thanks, I've just put in a complaint in writing to JC. Just want my case to be closed and for it to be all sorted now.