JSA Declined - Worth appealing?

Cariad9

I have been claiming contribution based JSA for the last 6 weeks and have just received a letter informing me that it will be stopped as of yesterday (the day I was in the Job Centre to sign on. Why can't it be discussed face to face? but thats a different issue :mad:) as I left my job voluntarily.

It true that I left voluntarily however the reason for leaving was because my husband is in the military and his posting changed from a base 50 miles away to 210 miles away. Obviously this is not commutable for me! I took advice before moving and was advised that this was likely to be seen as "special circumstances" and so wouldn't be a problem, although they gave me no guarantee. As my husband had absolutely no choice as to where he was posted, I don't see what else we could do?

Has anyone had a similar situation? Is it worth me appealing?

dookar

Your reason in itself is not sufficient to show Just Cause. They would also consider the date on which you left your job, the date on which you moved and what you did to find work in the new area

pmlindyloo

You can read all about what is considered 'Just Cause' here:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch34.pdf (34344 to 34347)

As Dookar says it is not enough to say that you had to move because your husband's posting was changed to 210 mlies away.

They need to see the timings of everything. eg. When did you find out? When did you hand in your notice? What efforts did you make to find new employment?

So, for instance, if you had very short notice and this did not give you time to organise the move, apply for jobs, attend interviews (because of the distance and timing) then this may be deemed as good cause.

Basically they are trying to determine whether you tried to find new employment or didn't worry because you thought that you could claim JSA.

Who did you take advice from about this? If it was a recognised 'body' then this may help. However, you said they didn't guarantee it so maybe not so hlepful.

You can appeal if you think that you meet the 'good cause' as outlined in the link. It is based on individual circumstances so you may be successful.

Good luck!

missapril75

Perhaps you gave insufficient information when you applied, either thinking it was "obvious" or that they had details from your original contact.

Cariad9

I filled in the initial forms giving a full account of the reason. We only had 3 weeks notice before the posting (this is actually quite a lot of notice for the military!), my husband moved down a week or so before me as I had to work my notice and wait for our married quarters to be confirmed. Before I moved I applied for 2 jobs and registered with a few agencies, all of this I did disclose on my JSA application and also in my JSA interview.

I've never claimed JSA before and finding the whole process extremely frustrating.

I'm going to appeal and re-state my case but my heart sinks at yet more forms! Fingers crossed I'm not going to need it for much longer

pmlindyloo

It seems to be that you have 'good cause' so go ahead with the appeal.

Cariad9

Have just been reading the leaflet - thanks Pmlindlyloo. Looks like I might have a claim under a few areas:
- There is actually an example of if your partner is in the RAF and moves abroad this is considered Just Cause. We didn't move abroad but did move to the other side of the Country so I think the reasoning is similar.
- Also under the moving home section 3 'they have lost there accommodation'.

Will give it a go, it's annoying that after all these years of contributing the first time I make a claim there seems to be all sorts of barriers. It's contribution based so the maximum I can claim is 6 months anyway. But suppose they do have to check...