Help - Signed on but no JSA received

psycrow57

Hi there

Quick background - I lost my job due to illness in May. Started signing on for JSA in June, and this is the only benefit I'm entitled to due to husband's salary. Because of illness, can only work part time and couldn't find anything, so in October I started a very smal business teaching occasional classes in cake decorating.

After the first class, I went to sign onn and filled in forms explaining I was doing some self-employed work, that I'd been paid a certain amount but that my costs were much higher than what I'd made. A few days later on 14th October I received the full amount of JSA.

I've signed on twice since then - the following time I had again taught one class, but still had not made any money. Last time, I hadn't taught any classes or done any other kind of work.

I've been really struggling with my health for the past month and have only just checked my bank statement - I haven't been paid anything since the 14th October, which means I'm missing two payments and I'm now overdrawn.

I could understand not being paid for the first one, as I had done sone work (even if I hadn't made any money), but they paid me properly the time before when I had the same circumstances. There's no reason at all for the last payment to not have been made as I hadn't worked and the advisor was happy with everything.

Can someone tell me what I should do? I'm not well enough to get to the job centre, and I'm not due there again until Monday next week. I've never been on benefits before and have no idea what to do. I've looked through all my paperwork and can't find any number to call or anything, and I'm really worried. Should I be calling my local job centre or somewhere else?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

psycrow57

Well I made some calls - apparently they haven't received the forms I filled in at the appointment, and there's a note on my file saying they need more information and proof of earnings (which I have no way of giving them). They hadn't written to me or called me - if I hadn't checked my statement today, I doubt I would ever have received the money.

There's absolutely no sense of urgency, despite the fact I've had no money for a month - they're going to post me new forms apparently. Who knows when and if I'll actually get the money, or what I'm supposed to do in the meantime. It's lucky that I have my husband's support - I dont know what I would do if I was on my own, and they certainly don't seem concerned.

I'm really upset and angry about it - I hate claiming benefits and am desperately trying to get myself set up before my entitlement runs out next month. If I didn't need it urgently, I'd be telling them to stick their money, but at the same time I've paid NI every month for over a decade and I know I'm entitled to it. I already feel embarrassed enough about claiming, so having to chase them for the money they owe me is really upsetting, especially when my health is so bad and I'm struggling to get out of bed.

Sorry - had to vent a bit there! If anyone has any tips on getting the money as soon as possible, I'd really appreciate it.

CompBunny

psycrow57 wrote: »

Well I made some calls - apparently they haven't received the forms I filled in at the appointment, and there's a note on my file saying they need more information and proof of earnings (which I have no way of giving them). They hadn't written to me or called me - if I hadn't checked my statement today, I doubt I would ever have received the money.

There's absolutely no sense of urgency, despite the fact I've had no money for a month - they're going to post me new forms apparently. Who knows when and if I'll actually get the money, or what I'm supposed to do in the meantime. It's lucky that I have my husband's support - I dont know what I would do if I was on my own, and they certainly don't seem concerned.

I'm really upset and angry about it - I hate claiming benefits and am desperately trying to get myself set up before my entitlement runs out next month. If I didn't need it urgently, I'd be telling them to stick their money, but at the same time I've paid NI every month for over a decade and I know I'm entitled to it. I already feel embarrassed enough about claiming, so having to chase them for the money they owe me is really upsetting, especially when my health is so bad and I'm struggling to get out of bed.

Sorry - had to vent a bit there! If anyone has any tips on getting the money as soon as possible, I'd really appreciate it.

I feel your pain When my partner was claiming JSA he had countless late payments, payments stopped for no apparent reason, forms not arriving (sent to an address from 4 years ago?!?!), sending his benefits to my account instead of his, treated like he had no intention of finding a job...he was so happy when he got a new and well paid job, not only for the money and the sense of fulfilment but also that it meant no more being treated like a lazy parasite! Sorry you are having such problems, especially when you are also having health problems.

The only thing that I can suggest is making sure that anything that you DO receive is completed and returned promptly - the sooner they get the info they require the sooner they can pay into your account. Call for frequent updates too, just in case they have sent you a letter that has been "lost in the post".. Take photocopies of everything you send, send recorded delivery (i know its expensive when money is tight) and don't give up xxx

psycrow57

Thanks, I really appreciate the advice and support.

I've found this whole thing so distressing - I've worked full-time continually since I graduated, but was diagnosed with two debilitating and incurable illnesses 7 years ago, and it's become increasingly difficult to carry on. I was in my last job, which was quite senior and well-paid, for 4 years - as my health got worse, the treatment from my colleagues and managers worsened until I eventually gave in and took a kind of redundancy.

My health problems have worsened and I could only work part time now - I have applied for the few suitable jobs I could find, but either get told I'm over-qualified, or they view my application with such suspicion that I don't even get a response. My own business is the only way I can find to manage financially longterm but it's been expensive to set up and I am still months away from breaking even.

I asked about Employment Support Allowance but was told I'm unlikely to be given it as, and I quote, I don't have the "right kind of illness" (I.e. I can lift up a bottle of milk and walk fifty steps - never mind the fact I'm on enough morphine to floor an elephant every day and am so tired I can't get up some days). And as my husband is so amazingly wealthy (i.e. earns an average salary) I'm on my own from early December. Apparently there is a scheme for people starting businesses but they can't refer any more people to it as it's oversubscribed so I'm told this is my only option.

I have tried to be completely honest with them and give them exact figures for earnings and expenditure but apparently that means I've made everything very difficult for myself. I now understand why people just lie - it's far simpler, even if I couldn't do it myself.

I do feel better for getting it all off my chest, though - hopefully they'll sort it out soon. Thanks again.