Told not so sign-on on Industrial Strike Day now they wont pay me.

m0nkeymrs01

Hello, my normal day for signing on to claim by JSA is a Wednesday, last Wednesday (my sign on day) I was unwell so Called the Job Centre to phone in sick... they told me that I didnt need to phone in sick as due to the industrial action anyone due to sign on that day would be processed automaticaly. I double checked with the chap on the phone that I had understood and further to this I went online and there was a banner on the Direct.gov website saying the same.

This morning however my money has not cleared. I Called them and they said someone would call back to sort making the payment as I had "been forgotten" someone called me back and said I hadnt got my money because I didnt go sign on!

I explained and she said I would have to take it up with my local job centre. Called them an hour ago and she said that they were open and it was my fault for not going, I again explained that even the main direct.gov website said dont sign and I was told the same on the phone and she said she doesnt think there is anything she can do but will speak to her manager and call me back...

I am just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem or saw the notice on the website last week?

I am really quite distraught, I have only been on JSA since September and have been unable to get a job because I am quite a lot pregnant and people just take one look and make their excuses. As this is the first time I have ever been out of work (redundancy) I qualify for my maternity pay and switch over in two weeks but I cant survive without this money until then

tomjonesrules

Who did you speak to when you called on Wednesday? Do you have a copy of the Direct.gov page as evidence?

Many JCPs were open and allowing claimants to sign on Wednesday. You are going to need evidence of your advice not to do so.

tomjonesrules

I have found something that might help. The following page does advise not to sign on unless you have 'a specific appointment'!

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:6eF2Nbsvf7IJ:www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200255+direct.gov+industrial+action+jobcentre+november&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

m0nkeymrs01

tomjonesrules wrote: »

I have found something that might help. The following page does advise not to sign on unless you have 'a specific appointment'!

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:6eF2Nbsvf7IJ:www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_200255+direct.gov+industrial+action+jobcentre+november&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

Thank you so so so much!!

I have been searching and searching for this but I could only find the google link but when I clicked it was saying error so I am VERY happy to have a copy of the page. I have also found a newpaper article that states the same.

I have chased them again and she said she is still waiting for her manager to finish with another customer.

m0nkeymrs01

They have called me back and said they will process the payment today but that I wont receive it until Thursday earliest and that in the meantime my non-attendence will be passed to a "Panel" who will decide if I should have my JSA stopped etc... for not attending :-(

Thankfully though at most I only have one more sign-on before SMA so she said its unlikely they will stop it because I will not be receiving it anymore to stop.

tomjonesrules

m0nkeymrs01 wrote: »

They have called me back and said they will process the payment today but that I wont receive it until Thursday earliest and that in the meantime my non-attendence will be passed to a "Panel" who will decide if I should have my JSA stopped etc... for not attending :-(

Thankfully though at most I only have one more sign-on before SMA so she said its unlikely they will stop it because I will not be receiving it anymore to stop.

That's good news, but print off the above link just in case!

cit_k

I would be tempted to put in a claim for maladministration, and write to your local MP also, this behaviour from the DWP is despicable, I wonder how many other people they are likely to sanction, due to telling them not to sign on, then blaming them for not signing on.

Mupette

print that webpage off now, they won't believe it until the see it, take a few copies and threaten to send one to your MP

tomjonesrules

cit_k wrote: »

I would be tempted to put in a claim for maladministration, and write to your local MP also, this behaviour from the DWP is despicable, I wonder how many other people they are likely to sanction, due to telling them not to sign on, then blaming them for not signing on.

Don't be so ridiculous. By being polite and patient the OP has remedied the problem, why would she want to create a bad name for herself by making frivolous complaints?

[Deleted User]

tomjonesrules wrote: »

Don't be so ridiculous. By being polite and patient the OP has remedied the problem, why would she want to create a bad name for herself by making frivolous complaints?

could it be that if the dwp was held more responsible for its mistakes then it might make a few less of them?

rogerblack

tomjonesrules wrote: »

Don't be so ridiculous. By being polite and patient the OP has remedied the problem, why would she want to create a bad name for herself by making frivolous complaints?

They have not.
They have gotten paid for this week. It's only resolved when the decision has been made not to sanction them.

If the sanction does happen, then any future JSA claim maybe affected, even if they are lucky enough not to need to claim shortly.