Missed JSA appoinment as girlfriend in labour, benefits were sanctioned. Any advice?

john539

Daedalus wrote: »

I don't doubt that 99% of these incidences result in an appointment being rescheduled, and after proof has been provided the end of the matter. Don't any sanctions apply to a future date? Time for it all to be sorted out.

The system prevents people from abusing it, whilst allowing those with legitimate reasons to still get their benefits.

That's not what people on this thread have been told, causing worry & distress.

It's only getting worse, as if someone makes a mistake, doesn't have proof, isn't believed, the sanctions are much longer.

Emergency, life & death, good luck !

Who is regularly abusing it, phoning up that someone is dying or a child is being born ?

Get real, don't believe the rubbish & myths.

paddedjohn

Unless he has provided proof of his girlfriend giving birth then I cant see what the problem is. The job centre staff have to sanction anyone missing their appointments unless they have a good excuse and can provide evidence otherwise the system would be open to all kinds of abuse

john539

paddedjohn wrote: »

Unless he has provided proof of his girlfriend giving birth then I cant see what the problem is. The job centre staff have to sanction anyone missing their appointments unless they have a good excuse and can provide evidence otherwise the system would be open to all kinds of abuse

What kinds of abuse ?

How many times can you phone saying my girlfriend is giving birth or someone is dying ?

paddedjohn

But why should the staff just take your word that that is the reason you didnt turn up?

Fire_Fox

swayne wrote: »

My friend ...(now I know the forum trolls like to get excited when someone says that but it genuinely is my friend and not me, I have a job and not a girlfriend)...

My friend missed a JSA appointment because he was in hospital with his girlfriend who was in labour. He had his benefits sanctioned because of this.

I don't think that's right, fair, or even human. They're saying "sorry because you wanted to be there when your child was born we're punishing you."

The problem with googleing it is when you use the word labour it turns into pages about politics. Does anyone have any idea about whether or not this is a fair thing for them to do and what he should do about it?

Thanks.

Presumably he told the Jobcentre beforehand that his girlfriend was pregnant, was did they advise him to do? Did he do that and has the Jobcentre gone against what they said?
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/jsa-sanction-changes/
http://consent.me.uk/sanctions/appeals/
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/917/regulation/7/made

AP007

john539 wrote: »

What kinds of abuse ?

How many times can you phone saying my girlfriend is giving birth or someone is dying ?

Well you could have everyone in the family dying, a flood, a fire, a birth the list could go on................

john539

paddedjohn wrote: »

But why should the staff just take your word that that is the reason you didnt turn up?

Because that's life & things happen.

What happens at other places, work, college, other appointments.

If you phoned work etc & said someone is dying I have to go to hospital, would they ask you for proof ?

john539

AP007 wrote: »

Well you could have everyone in the family dying, a flood, a fire, a birth the list could go on................

Commonsense & judgement.

Jobcentres should have record to check if it happens again.

AP007

john539 wrote: »

Commonsense & judgement.

Jobcentres should have record to check if it happens again.

you can have a list as long as a leg but you still need to CALL the JC BEFORE the signing on time to tell them you are not going to make it in for whatever reason and if they do not believe you then you may be for the high jump

I have only missed signing on once as I had norvo virus and couldn't get there That call itself was hard work and then I had to go in at another set time.

paddedjohn

john539 wrote: »

Because that's life & things happen.

What happens at other places, work, college, other appointments.

If you phoned work etc & said someone is dying I have to go to hospital, would they ask you for proof ?

Some will some wont but the issue here is that the jsa staff do require some evidence. In some work places you are not allowed to book appointments in their time.