JSA Sanctions

saintjammyswine

WPN wrote: »

hard to say, they have sanction targets.

They will normally be reasonable no matter what you may hear from others, but if they are down on quota, they will pick people to trip up.

Not true, the targets for JCP have been removed.

WannaBeHome

I was told that I need to be willing to travel up to an hour each way. Anything over this didn't need to be applied for, but if they found anything I was qualified for within an hours commute had to be applied for.

leannaf2721

pixykid wrote: »

Hi, I'm a regular user under another username, but posting under a new username to protect my privacy.

I've just been to the jobcentre to sign on (as much as I hate it, I was made redundant and have struggled to find a job for months). I made a silly mistake and yes, I'm not disputing the fact that I deserve all I get, but I'd advice on dealing with the matter itself.

I was "job-matched" to a job that wasn't relevant to the level of experience I have in the job sector or even relevant to the course I am training for in the job sector in which I want to work. I was honest and said I didn't apply for this job as I did request the information to see if I could apply for the job, the job description wasn't suitable and it was wasn't reasonably accessible from my home. Iwasn't told I was job-matched, and now the advisor said I face a sanction, even tho I only requested further information on the vacancy itself :eek:

I would have slight difficulty getting there as I know the exact location of the job, yet according to the advisor's journey planner software, it would take 11 minutes from stepping foot outside of my house, getting on/off a bus and walking there... a grand total of 11 minutes!! Now, seriously, it is under estimated. As it takes me 15 minutes to walk to the correct bus stop to get a bus service I didn't even know existed in my village! She filled in a form stating that "I looked at the application and did not apply as I was concerned about the distance to walk from the location of the bus stop to the business itself." This was putting words into my mouth!! :mad: I didn't sign anything declaring that the statement was accurate, I wasn't asked to sign anything and the statement itself wasn't accurate!

The job itself isn't the type of work I'm looking for - I'm studying for a course and therefore am looking for a job in the field I'm studying, not an office job that I no longer do.

Realistically, I know that they can slap a 6-month sanction on my benefits for "refusing to apply for a job", but I didn't refuse to apply for a job... I asked for more information on the vacancy, but what's the worst they can do? Well, it's slightly reassuring to know they can't hang me for it.

But really, will they sanction me? Or was the woman in the jobcentre just having a bad day and decide to take it out on me? I feel like complaining about her, but I don't want to provoke anything in case it reflects badly on me. I'm quite upset about this!

yes you will get sanctioned and yes i know its hard but personally i believe unless there is a very good reason like the hours dont fit around childcare then there is no reason to turn it down! yes you might not want to do that job but if you get a job like that and then in the mean time keep looking for the job you want then you can move on to the job you want and also it will look better on you the fact you have worked.
i mean im training to be a hairdresser but that does not mean in the mean time i wouldnt work as a cleaner or in a retail shop as any work is moeny and experiance

Loobysaver

Yes it is highly likely you will be sanctioned If you are matched to the job and it is something you have the skills to do.

The only "get out" clause may be if you can prove the travelling time is unrealistic. What is the journey time in total out of interest?

Have you filled out the form with your comments why you didn't apply yet as that will be the 1st stage. The 2nd stage will be to put in an appeal if you get a sanction explaining in full your reasons with any supporting evidence i.e journey times etc.

skater_kat

worth checking what your jobseekers agreement says. if the post in question contradicts this agreement you may have a case. usually you can restrict your jobsearch to your current professon for the first 13 weeks of your claim.

don't think you have a case regarding the travel time though.

all you can do is appeal and keep looking for a job. even if you have no dole money you could still qualify for housing benefit based on a nil income claim.

Evilm

ceridwen wrote: »

I wouldnt have thought it was Traveldirect they use.

I imagine it would be Traveline

www.traveline.info/

Thats the obvious one for this and the one I use personally when planning how I am going to get from A to B (as it includes walking time from my house to bus-stop and walking time the other end and therefore includes every single minute of my travel time).

Apologies.. morning was too early today! The one I was told (I think) was actually http://www.transportdirect.info. That also includes walking time although the ' walking route' doesn't appear - just a straight line from A to B.

WPN

saintjammyswine wrote: »

Not true, the targets for JCP have been removed.

Not true. It is a Tory claim made when The Guardian and Unlawful Sanctions raised the concern about jobseekers being unfairly sanctioned. They made a claim about it being removed due to fears of a landmark ruling of some £12.836 million worth of sanctions awarded unlawfully over the last few years or so. The easiest way was for them to claim these targets have been removed due to an ECJ case (if it went against the Government) would force all the claimants to be refunded costing probably £16m a price too high when the Government is trying to save money plus the press coverage of such would result in everyone who had been sanctioned in the past to come forward claiming it was unlawful even if it was with merit which could cost even more in time and administration.

Beaniem72

I work for the Job Centre and can probably give you some advice but I need more info.
How long have you been claiming JSA and what have you agreed to on your Job Seekers Agreement.

Also in answer to other replies please do not lump all Job Centre staff together. Some of us really want to help people and try not to sanction their benefit.

There are no "targets" for DMA (Decision Making Actions - sanctions) but there are "benchmarks"

Just for info as well the things that people have to be doing to look for work are going to get a lot tougher believe me. There has been a ministerial statement today which gives a lot more info.

mickey54

saintjammyswine wrote: »

Not true, the targets for JCP have been removed.

Friend has friend still working in Job Centre - and, they do have targets to meet when sanctioning...

Beaniem72

Not targets "benchmarks". We keep being told these are not targets but they aren't fooling me.