How to get off the WP

Elvisia

I signed off JSA at the end of January after only one session with SEETEC, my local WP as they were such a bunch of idiots I couldn't take it. I managed to get a few hours work a week after that which covered my JSA, so was pleased with that, and those hours have now grown into a business. However I am still being harassed by SEETEC. I have written to them, emailed them, phoned them, spoken to their head office and I am still getting emails, letters and phone calls - some of which are very rude - asking me where I am and I will be sanctioned. I took one of the calls when I was with a client as I thought it was another important client, but it was SEETEC head office giving me an official warning. It was extremely embarrassing telling them in front of a client that I had now signed off. I have written to my MP who has had a meeting with the JCP about the situation on my behalf and it was all sorted...then this morning I get another letter saying I have meeting with them on Friday.

Should I write again? Ignore it (if they sanction my benefits does this mean that if I had to sign on again at any point I would have a sanction on there)? Go to their offices on the date they've given me and tell them to stop hassling me? I'm having to sit on my hands to avoid writing something rude on the letter and just posting it back. Someone suggested I write a 'cease and desist' letter saying as part of Data Protection Act they have to take off all my details?

Who?_me?

The letter could have been sent before you MP sorted it all out. Look at the date on the letter?

Elvisia

He had the meeting two months ago, so it hasn't crossed. I guess I am either just stuck somewhere on their system and they've not bothered to take me off, or they are thinking they might be able to get some money out of me as I am now in employment.

MissSarah1972

Seetec are idiots - I have a friend who goes to them and seems I am going there soon in a week!!

ArtoDeeto

Outrageous - you are not claiming benefits so you can't be Sanctioned. My guess is they need you to say it was them that helped you off benefits in order to secure a pay-out.
And no they can't 'store' a Sanction for any future benefit claim.

Elvisia

If it won't affect future benefit claims I might try one more go with my MP, someone has also suggested asking the CAB although not sure they can do more than an MP. Then if they send more letters just ignore them.

My business is made up of separate clients, so there's no way I am letting SEETEC ring them up and ask if they are paying me. It would make me look so unprofessional, and for the help I got there totally ridiculous for them to get any payment. I didn't sign the payment form you get at the beginning. They sent me off to do a LearnDirect course saying I would be sanctioned if I didn't sign up (they spoke to LD on the phone while I was there, and decided on a course there and then I could do) they sent me off to sign up for it and LD said "that'll be £65 please". At that point I decide to sign off, I was paying a week's JSA to do a course in something I could already do.

I'm almost tempted to go on Friday and when they ask to see my job seeking form say I haven't looked for jobs, in fact this week I had to turn down two new clients, so I could tell them I turned down two jobs, then ask them what benefits exactly they are sanctioning!!

Daedalus

Send them a clear letter that you are no longer claiming JSA and therefore not under any jurisdiction of either SEETEC or JC. Any further contact from SEETEC to yourself from receipt of this letter will be construed as harassment and the appropriate legal redress will be sought.

maninthestreet

What is the worst they could do - stop your benefits? But then you are not claiming benefits any more.

john539

Did you sign consent form with SEETEC ?

Did you withdraw consent ?

Contact & write to head office withdrawing consent to contact you or employers any further.

Ask them to confirm this has been done in writing.

Keep phoning & writing to them until they stop.

jobseeking_help

MP's intervention should cause squeeky bums all round at SEETEC.

Ask the jobcentre to complete and send WP07b forrm to SEETEC head office. This is formal the doumentation from JCP to WP providers to inform that you are no longer on JSA.

Sounds like SEETEC HQ have not been informed and of course local office will not just act on your say so. SEETEC could have used their initiative and contacted JCP - but commonsense as rare as hen's teeth - when you pay peanuts....

Unclear of exactly how WP funding for providers works but I bet they are chasing you cos you're got work and they get shed loads of dosh

Elvisia

I was just sitting here wondering whether I accidentally signed a consent form, I did my research here before I went to SEETEC, and was all ready to refuse to sign anything. The only form I got was one the advisor said was just to say we'd attended, but I am wondering whether in fact it was a consent form. It was literally a case of having a bit of paper flashed in my face with "just sign here to say you've attended or you'll be sanctioned". I don't want them to know I am in a work, it was work I found myself after I had already left them. In fact the only reason I found the work was because once I had the freedom to sit and scout for work myself without having to work my way through their stupid list of pointless things to do.

Thanks for all your replies, I will act on what you've said. I love the comment about "squeaky bottoms all round at SEETEC!". What also amazes me is I haven't gone to SEETEC since January, yet they haven't sanctioned my JSA (not that I am claiming) or written to say they are going to sanction it. I wonder whether it's possible to stay on the system even if you don't do what they ask.