unexpected JSA payment

lady1964

Hi all,

Hope someone can help me here.
I started signing on at the beginning of August and signed off mid November as I am moving abroad - am currently overseas on a house-hunting/orientation exercise - we move in January so felt it wasn't right to keep signing on. I sent my book back giving 'moving overseas' as the reason for signing off.
I received £28 on Monday, this being the 2 days JSA owed and have received my P45 from JC+.
However, when I logged into my bank 2 days ago, I have received another payment of just over £250 from DWP/JSA and I have no idea why. I don't have access to my post as I'm overseas and can't phone them either. When I Skype my daughter at the weekend, if there is a letter there I'll ask her to open it to see what it says but in the meantime, it's worrying me.

Would anyone have any idea what this £250 odd might be for? I'm wondering if it's been paid in error and am happy to put it to one side to pay back if needed to, I wouldn't want to keep something I wasn't supposed to get.

Many thanks

LadyMissA

Maybe a tax rebate from your last job? I got one a few mths in to claiming jsa

lady1964

LadyMissA wrote: »

Maybe a tax rebate from your last job? I got one a few mths in to claiming jsa

I wondered about that, but wouldn't a tax rebate come from HMRC? The entry on my bank statement (online) clearly says DWP/JSA.

I'll try to skype my daughter later to see if any letters have arrived from either DWP or HMRC which might explain.

Thanks!

Owain_Moneysaver

Maybe they've assumed you are still looking for work abroad?

http://dwp.gov.uk/international/benefits/jobseekers-allowance/jobseekers-allowance-in-eea/

lady1964

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Maybe they've assumed you are still looking for work abroad?

http://dwp.gov.uk/international/benefits/jobseekers-allowance/jobseekers-allowance-in-eea/

Thanks for the link but that doesn't apply as I'm not in an EEC country or Switzerland.
I've checked our bank online again and the entry is definately DWP/JSA. My husband got a tax rebate and his entry is HMRC so I'm pretty sure it's not a tax rebate that I've received.

Thanks.

Parva

The last time I had a tax rebate it DID come from the DWP so it's quite possible.

WPN

Am I correct in assuming this is a joint-claim?

(I realised you have used "I" but also "we move"... which obviously doesn't imply a joint claim but might make more sense in this situation)

If so... did you both sign off? I am not sure whether you need two signatures... and whether the absence of one kept the claim open?

Even so the amounts seem rather wrong. Owain could be right but its wrong for them to assume the country and even more so, to export benefits you have to register in the other country before you can claim.

It seems clearly an error. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Keep the money without spending it like you suggested... as you are out of the country you cannot be expected to act so quickly. Only at times that are reasonable (such as asap) and physically possible can you resolve this.

You might be able to get your daughter (if she is willing) to sort it out on your behalf. Either by the 0845 number or in person at the local Jobcentre (if approaching that make it clear that you are wrongly paid £250 where they should sort it ASAP as priority). I recommend the local Jobcentre as if needs be you could be called to confirm details... if she has access to your bank statement, NI etc. and information others wouldnt know its usually accepted as reasonable proof to deal with your claim.

LadyMissA

lady1964 wrote: »

I wondered about that, but wouldn't a tax rebate come from HMRC? The entry on my bank statement (online) clearly says DWP/JSA.

I'll try to skype my daughter later to see if any letters have arrived from either DWP or HMRC which might explain.

Thanks!

oh well I am sure mine was from DWP - can't help then, sorry

t0rt0ise

Yes it'll be a tax rebate. It does come from that department. You should get a letter about it explaining it.

lady1964

WPN - it wasn't a joint claim, the 'I' is me and the reference to 'we' is that hubby & I have moved (or will be in Jan) overseas as he has a new job.

Thanks all for your help, I'm now thinking it's a tax rebate but I've asked my daughter to open any letters that come from the DWP and scan to me so I can be sure before I spend it!

Be lovely if it's a tax rebate, treats for Xmas

lady1964

update:
My daughter scanned over the letter from the DWP and it is indeed a tax rebate, unexpected one so a nice little bonus before Xmas :j

thanks for your help