Could I get a faster payment (JSA)?

DanH84_2

Hi, I have a new claim for JSA at the moment. The date I went in to complete my application was 8th of May and I provided all details then. My first signing was last Thursday and I was told that they have 14 days to process my claim so to give them a call on Friday to see where it was.

I gave them a call on Friday but they advised me to call back Monday, so I called back earlier today and was advised that the claim was being looked at and the funds from my signing should be released today. I called back at 5:45 to confirm the amount and just to make sure that it had been sent and I got someone who I wasn't sure what they were talking about. They said my claim has been with them for 9 working days and they had 14 (I saw the screen when I signed on and it showed 8th May which is more than 9 working days I'm sure) and that my claim was with a decision maker which was standard practice. I was a bit confused tbh so I let the guy go.

Now I've got more questions and I'm going to give them a call in the morning but I wanted to confirm a few things first.

1. Obviously no one can know for sure but is it likely that I've gone to a DM as I put down I have a housemate and they want to ensure we're not 'living together as husband and wife'? I'm a UK national and left my job due to the end of a fixed term contract + have no savings so I'd guess that's the reason?

2. I work it out that the 14 days have now passed so if I call tomorrow can I ask them to send a handoff to the BDC to hurry things along.

3. My rent is due on Thurs, I will have a HB payment by then but there will still be a shortfall which I need to make up with JSA. As I signed over 3 working days ago and I think they have now gone over the time to process the claim could I ask them for a faster payment?

Many thanks

Whiteknight

DanH84 wrote: »

Hi, I have a new claim for JSA at the moment. The date I went in to complete my application was 8th of May and I provided all details then. My first signing was last Thursday and I was told that they have 14 days to process my claim so to give them a call on Friday to see where it was.

I gave them a call on Friday but they advised me to call back Monday, so I called back earlier today and was advised that the claim was being looked at and the funds from my signing should be released today. I called back at 5:45 to confirm the amount and just to make sure that it had been sent and I got someone who I wasn't sure what they were talking about. They said my claim has been with them for 9 working days and they had 14 (I saw the screen when I signed on and it showed 8th May which is more than 9 working days I'm sure) and that my claim was with a decision maker which was standard practice. I was a bit confused tbh so I let the guy go.

Now I've got more questions and I'm going to give them a call in the morning but I wanted to confirm a few things first.

1. Obviously no one can know for sure but is it likely that I've gone to a DM as I put down I have a housemate and they want to ensure we're not 'living together as husband and wife'? I'm a UK national and left my job due to the end of a fixed term contract + have no savings so I'd guess that's the reason?

2. I work it out that the 14 days have now passed so if I call tomorrow can I ask them to send a handoff to the BDC to hurry things along.

3. My rent is due on Thurs, I will have a HB payment by then but there will still be a shortfall which I need to make up with JSA. As I signed over 3 working days ago and I think they have now gone over the time to process the claim could I ask them for a faster payment?

Many thanks

You were lucky to get someone to answer the phone at 5:45, when ever I have called at that time the phone is never answered, in fact think they have left for the day.

My advice would be to give them a call in the morning and get an update on what is happening with your claim and how much longer it is likely to take. Could your housemate loan you the money to cover your rent shortfall?

DanH84_2

I could borrow it off family if absolutely necessary but it would cause my mother short term hardship. I'd much rather see if I can push the issue a little bit if possible. I don't know if the 14 days is a hard and fast rule but it's been mentioned by everyone I've spoken to either over the phone or in the jobcentre so hopefully I will be able to get a definite response tomorrow even if they need extra info

baza52

my son claimed from April 2nd and had his first payment allmost 2 weeks ago.
He was ringing them every day.

epitome

it's 14 working days to process JSA, from the day of WFI, if that was May 8th then you have until Friday 25th May. So the claim should be open today.

You should call tomorrow and expect a hand off for a 3 hour callback from the DM to tell you what the delay is.

DanH84_2

thanks for the advice all. Will give them a ring.

missapril75

DanH84 wrote: »

1. Obviously no one can know for sure but is it likely that I've gone to a DM as I put down I have a housemate and they want to ensure we're not 'living together as husband and wife'? I'm a UK national and left my job due to the end of a fixed term contract + have no savings so I'd guess that's the reason?

That's entirely possible. Not sure if they still do it but there was a time when they might insist on a home visit to satisfy themselves you're not living together. And it could be no payment until then.

If that's the case can you convince them without coming to see you at home?

3. My rent is due on Thurs, I will have a HB payment by then but there will still be a shortfall which I need to make up with JSA.

That might be optimistic. In my experience HB offices will usually wait to get confirmation of the JSA award before processing HB.

DanH84_2

missapril75 wrote: »

That's entirely possible. Not sure if they still do it but there was a time when they might insist on a home visit to satisfy themselves you're not living together. And it could be no payment until then.

If that's the case can you convince them without coming to see you at home?




That might be optimistic. In my experience HB offices will usually wait to get confirmation of the JSA award before processing HB.

Hey, thanks for the advice but I spoke to my council today and apparently even though I haven't received the letter yet a payment was issued to me on Friday so should be with me tomorrow/weds.

missapril75

DanH84 wrote: »

Hey, thanks for the advice but I spoke to my council today and apparently even though I haven't received the letter yet a payment was issued to me on Friday so should be with me tomorrow/weds.

Hmmmmm.....

Maybe this HB office behaves a little differently then. And it is a few years since I had any dealings with this sort of thing.

But if I'd heard this up to about 4 years ago I'd put money on your claim having been processed, including the notice going off to the HB office (which they've acted upon) and then a random check resulting in a decision to check on the living together and it's now showing unresolved again.

You were, after all, told it was all okay. It may have looked it at the time and then the last person wasn't sure.

Hopefully you'll get somewhere with your next call and you can post an outcome.

airliner

If you have a shortfall in your housing benefit and rent liability entitlement you should make a claim for discretionary housing payments.(DHPs)
You'll be able to get an application form from your local authority.

DanH84_2

Brief update, The BDC haven't received my living together form (this was completed at my WFI on 8th May at Jobcentre because I had to do a clerical version of my claim as they noticed a problem.)

I have an appointment booked at 9:30 to find out what's going on. I presume I can ask that they fax this form over and phone ahead to ensure it is looked at today?

Will update later