Confused by JSA!?

klmcl1827

Hello,
So I'm abit confused by all this jsa stuff, I have never signed on before and don't want to be too rash when contacting them.
I found myself out of work after five years in the same job, and needed a little help, I applied for jsa online on the 31st may, the day I left work, and they said I would receive an appointment via text, I didn't receive one, but because I'd never done this before I did not expect to receive one straight away. 2 weeks after applying, I received a letter saying I was entitled to contribution based jsa of £71 per week, it would be paid every two weeks into my account, it did not stated I needed to go to an appointment, I tried contacting them but couldn't get through and after two hours on hold, gave up, I waited two weeks to see if any money went into my account, obviously it didn't, on the 4th July, I received a letter saying I cannot claim because I did not han in a completed form, again I called them, couldn't get through, so decided to take the trip and visit the job centre myself, I told the lady behind the desk everything I've said on here, and she said I shoul of received an appointment within two days of applying, she told me to again ring the same
Number I'd already tried twice, after thirty mins I got through, told the lady over the phone, to which she replied, 'so how can I help you then?' I was shocked by her rudeness and said well that's why I'm calling you, she replied she cannot book anoher appointment for me and I should speak to someone at the jc, which I already had! I put the phone down and saw another jc assistant, he again told me to call the same number! I told him about the lady on the phone and he said hell try and sort it, he called somebody and got me another appointment for 11th July. Finally! I went on the 11th, filled a form out, and also filled a backdated form out for from the 31st may, writing pretty much everything I have in this post as my reason for the backdate, luckily I had my job diary with me and could give numerous examples of where and when I have actively looked for work since 31st, I also gave in a housing benefit form. The lady I handed the forms into told me I should get a letter from the jsa in a week, and she wasn't sure about the housing benefits. My first signing in date is the 23rd July, a Monday and then it is every two weeks after that. It has been 9 days since my interview with them and I still have not received a letter, I don't want to call straight away and as seen as my appointment is on Monday will wait to ask then, if I haven't received it. I h e heard a lot of horror stories and i am eorried i will be waiting a long time for my payment. Have any of you guys had a problem with not getting the first interview? When am I likely to receive any money? Will I have any problems with the backdate payment? Will I have to sign on a few times before I receive any money? Any help would be appreciated. Obviously besides not receiving the interview and the letter being late I haven't had any other problems but I am worried my first payment won't be for a while! If this has happened to you, how long do it take to receive your letter and how long I'd it take to receive a payment?
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

jobbingmusician

Hello,
So I'm abit confused by all this jsa stuff, I have never signed on before and don't want to be too rash when contacting them.

I found myself out of work after five years in the same job, and needed a little help, I applied for jsa online on the 31st may, the day I left work, and they said I would receive an appointment via text, I didn't receive one, but because I'd never done this before I did not expect to receive one straight away.

2 weeks after applying, I received a letter saying I was entitled to contribution based jsa of £71 per week, it would be paid every two weeks into my account, it did not stated I needed to go to an appointment, I tried contacting them but couldn't get through and after two hours on hold, gave up, I waited two weeks to see if any money went into my account, obviously it didn't, on the 4th July, I received a letter saying I cannot claim because I did not han in a completed form, again I called them, couldn't get through, so decided to take the trip and visit the job centre myself,

I told the lady behind the desk everything I've said on here, and she said I shoul of received an appointment within two days of applying, she told me to again ring the same Number I'd already tried twice, after thirty mins I got through, told the lady over the phone, to which she replied, 'so how can I help you then?' I was shocked by her rudeness and said well that's why I'm calling you, she replied she cannot book anoher appointment for me and I should speak to someone at the jc, which I already had!

I put the phone down and saw another jc assistant, he again told me to call the same number! I told him about the lady on the phone and he said hell try and sort it, he called somebody and got me another appointment for 11th July. Finally!

I went on the 11th, filled a form out, and also filled a backdated form out for from the 31st may, writing pretty much everything I have in this post as my reason for the backdate, luckily I had my job diary with me and could give numerous examples of where and when I have actively looked for work since 31st, I also gave in a housing benefit form. The lady I handed the forms into told me I should get a letter from the jsa in a week, and she wasn't sure about the housing benefits.

My first signing in date is the 23rd July, a Monday and then it is every two weeks after that. It has been 9 days since my interview with them and I still have not received a letter, I don't want to call straight away and as seen as my appointment is on Monday will wait to ask then, if I haven't received it. I h e heard a lot of horror stories and i am eorried i will be waiting a long time for my payment.

Have any of you guys had a problem with not getting the first interview? When am I likely to receive any money? Will I have any problems with the backdate payment? Will I have to sign on a few times before I receive any money? Any help would be appreciated.

Obviously besides not receiving the interview and the letter being late I haven't had any other problems but I am worried my first payment won't be for a while! If this has happened to you, how long do it take to receive your letter and how long I'd it take to receive a payment?
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

There - isn't that easier to read, folks! Please, please use paragraphs, kmcl!

It sounds as if this is on the way to being sorted, but if it isn't sorted out to your satisfaction on Monday, I suggest to write to your MP - you can more or less copy and paste what you've written above (with paragraph breaks )

klmcl1827

erm thanks
I am using my phone, hence the lack of paragraph spaces and poor spelling. iPhone auto correct does not care for paragraphs.

westv

klmcl1827 wrote: »

erm thanks
I am using my phone, hence the lack of paragraph spaces and poor spelling. iPhone auto correct does not care for paragraphs.

Don't worry. JM likes to crack the whip at us on the GIOL forum but we all love her really. :D

jobbingmusician

klmcl1827 wrote: »

erm thanks
I am using my phone, hence the lack of paragraph spaces and poor spelling. iPhone auto correct does not care for paragraphs.

Apologies, I have the same problem with my phone (And I didn't comment on spelling, but DYAC is one of my favourite sites Seriously, I was interested in your predicament and put the paras in to make it easier for me to read - I thought it might encourage more responses if I pasted it.

Thanks for the comment, westv

klmcl1827

No, it's no problem, I know you didn't mention spelling, but I hate bad spelling and it annoyed me when i re-read my post later! Haha!
It is easier to read in paragraphs!

elaine12022

Hi Strangely enough, it sounds like you should get some money very soon. If they were going to turn you down you might have heard already. In fact keep checking your bank account - you may find money going in before you get an official notification!

klmcl1827

elaine12022 wrote: »

Hi Strangely enough, it sounds like you should get some money very soon. If they were going to turn you down you might have heard already. In fact keep checking your bank account - you may find money going in before you get an official notification!

Hopefully! I have just been reading alot of these sites recently and have seen alot of stories of people who've had to wait months before they receive any payment, obviously I haven't had my first appointment yet, so not expecting anything until after that, but not sure whether I'll receive payment a few days after that or until after my second appointment, like many others i've read about!
Thanks though

ultimatedingbat

I wouldnt worry too much. I've been on JSA for nearly 4 weeks and still not had a letter. You're first payment will be between 3 and 4 weeks of your first appointment

klmcl1827

ultimatedingbat wrote: »

I wouldnt worry too much. I've been on JSA for nearly 4 weeks and still not had a letter. You're first payment will be between 3 and 4 weeks of your first appointment

When you say first appointment, are you referring to my interview with them or my first sign on date? My first sign in date was today.

klmcl1827

Signed on for the first time on Monday, still no payment and no letter!