JSA Decison Makers? 30 April 2012 at 10:30PM in Benefits & tax credits 7 replies 1.4K views

Seadogs_2010

Hi All
Just a quick question.
Six weeks ago I left a job for various reason, mainly lack of PPE, Health and Safety reasons and communication issues. I wrote a three page letter explaining the reasons why I left the job and it was referred to a decision maker. Its been six weeks now and I signed on today and the job centre told me the decision makers got my letter on the 23rd March but nothing else had been put on my records.

How long does it take to get a decision as a rule?
Thanks all

CCFC_80

From previous experience it can go on for quite a while. They will need your employers version of events and are probably waiting to hear back from that. Then they might refer what they said back to you so ends up like a game of letter tennis.

I hope that you had a very good reason for leaving your job because if it ends up your word against your employers the DM's from my experience will always take the side of your employers.

Seadogs_2010

Yes I do have good reasons for leaving. I just thought they would have come back to me by now. If I do get sanctioned and I appeal the ruling, do I still keep my full JSA payments until it is all resolved?

CCFC_80

Seadogs_2010 wrote: »

Yes I do have good reasons for leaving. I just thought they would have come back to me by now. If I do get sanctioned and I appeal the ruling, do I still keep my full JSA payments until it is all resolved?

I can't answer that for certain but guess that you would. Perhaps a benefits expert or someone who works with claims at The JCP can confirm

Seadogs_2010

I just find it strange how long the process takes. It is like a cloud hanging over me all the time. I thought it would have been sorted in a few weeks. The jobcentre told me the decision makers may not do anything and just leave it.

just_trying

Yes, it can take a while for them to make a decision but if you had a genuine reason to leave then the chances are that you will get a letter saying your application for jsa started on this date and you will receive x amount.

Seadogs_2010

My reasons for leaving were...
I got no safety shoes and it was factory work. They said I would get them at my induction.
B, They had no new clean safety hats so I got a used hat to wear. (The company I left was a food company!!!)
C, Wasnt shown where safety buttons were located on machinery after asking three times to be shown.
D, I couldnt understand what I needed to do as no-one spoke English, after asking time and time again what to do I was asked to go home.

At the moment I receive JSA and looking for full time employment again.

busy_mom_2

It takes ages because as mentioned earlier they have to gather all the evidence before they make a decision. They will write to your previous employer, they then have to wait so many days for them to respond, they may not respond at all in which case they do it again and wait again. You will continue to receive JSA until they make a decision, I would allow 6 weeks. If they do sanction you then no, you won't get paid whilst you appeal. You may be eligible for hardship payments if you are sanctioned.