just been sanctioned, not my fault

dktreesea

The more I read about people's experiences claiming any kind of benefit, including JSA, the more I think the best option is to earn one's own income, however that has to be achieved, because the benefits system is so unreliable. Not because of the regulations per se, but rather the completely chaotic/slap dash/discretionary way in which they are applied.

If an employer behaved the way the benefits staff do, i.e. cutting off someone's income just like that, with no notice/redundancy. Not even the benefits that are due up to the date it is all cut off, at least the employee has some remedies. Ones potentially expensive for the employer.

SaveMeDo

The more I read about people's experiences claiming any kind of benefit, including JSA, the more I think the best option is to earn one's own income, however that has to be achieved, because the benefits system is so unreliable. Not because of the regulations per se, but rather the completely chaotic/slap dash/discretionary way in which they are applied.

If an employer behaved the way the benefits staff do, i.e. cutting off someone's income just like that, with no notice/redundancy. Not even the benefits that are due up to the date it is all cut off, at least the employee has some remedies. Ones potentially expensive for the employer.

The staff at each jobcenter must sanction 25 people a week, or the manager will be put on a PIP (discipline) That is why that are throwing sanctions and stopping claims like their lives depended on it.

I will dig the link to the government report that confirms that, if anyone wants it.

Just don't call them "TARGETS"

james_smitha

I'd be interested to see your proof that there are targets saying that xx people must be santioned per week, I am one of the 25

seven-day-weekend

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

What if they slap a notified vacancy on your profile on your signing day and you can't apply for it because it has expired by the time you get home?

If I have understood the OP correctly this appears to have been what has happened to them.

OP: when you received notification of the sanction was there any opportunity for you to appeal their decision?

Shouldn't you contact the Jobcentre the following day and explain why you could not apply and ask them if there is any way you could still do so? At least then you are being pro-active and not just leaving things, and also will have evidence that you have at least shown interest in trying to apply.

SaveMeDo

I'd be interested to see your proof that there are targets saying that xx people must be santioned per week, I am one of the 25

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conditionality-and-sanctions-a-report-to-the-secretary-of-state-for-work-and-pensions

SaveMeDo

In case the link doesn't work, here is the leaked letter, the report found that the word "target" was used incorrectly!

Sent:
06 February 2013 16:13

Subject:
DMA - SBR


Dear All,

SBR raises its ugly head again!

I attach the latest SBR figures. As y
ou can see, Walthamstow are 95th in the
league table - out of only 109.

Obviously our District Manager is not pl
eased; James Corbett is not pleased
and neither is John. Because John is under pressure to improve our (Office)
output and move up the league he has to
apply some pressure downwards -
that's us ATM's.

So, the bottom line...I have until the 15th Feb - along with the other ATM's to
show an improvement. Then it’s a PIP fo
r me. Obviously if I am on a PIP to
improve my Team's SBR referral rate I will not have a choice but to consider
implementing PIPs for thos
e individuals who are cl
early not delivering SBR
within the Team.
The fact we are delivering in other ar
eas will not stand up as an excuse for not
delivering in this area of work as SBR
is a separate measure of achievement
from Off Flow for the Office.
I refer you back to my e-mail from
last week about the process for
implementing a PIP and remind you that in
itially a PIP is not a formal action
but a plan to highlight where improv
ements can be made and what action
needs to be taken to support those.

John is looking for about 25 referrals per week.

We made 6 last week and so far this w
eek have made 4. There is a shortfall
here!

We talked about this yesterday and I really don't want to do this to death
but......it is the only area we need to make
a significant improvement in as a
Team and as an Office. You should consider every doubt - if you are unsure
then please conference with me.

ASE - do not accept the same jobsearch every week
do not a
ccept "I dropped off my CV" to shops like ASDA or Sainsbury's
- they need to download! Ask for proof
of registration to websites and
agencies. Ask customers to show you what
websites they use and bring them
up on screen.
do not a
ccept the same old excuses from people who we have worked
with or given FSF to help remove barriers.

14
what ar
e speakers of other languages doing to find work within their
community - who is helping them, are we
asking them to bring in an
interpreter or using the big word?

Avail and Restricted Avail - listen for tell-ta
le phrases - "I pick up the kids", "I
look after my neighbours children/my grandc
hildren" or just "I am busy" all of
which suggest that the customer may
not be fully available for work. Even
cases where a parent shares custody can
be considered if the arrangement is
informal - not that I am suggesting
you go there but you need to consider
each case individually.
Is the customer placing restrictions on
their availability - w
ants retail but can't
work on Saturday or cant consider work
ing in the west end or travelling to
Stratford to work at Westfield? Are they
studying and not willing to give up the
course? Are they available for every
day of the week - "I can't work on
Monday's as I like to do my shopping and visit my Mum".
If someone FTA's you must consider their
availability as well as the FTA. They
are always late - is there an availability issue? Are they working as well...FRF
action may also be required. For example,
"I was late because I had to take
the dog to the vet"; “I didn't come in yesterday because my husband was ill"; "I
can't come in on Saturday because my girlfriend is visiting me" - these are all
availability doubts and should be raised. If someone is going away from home
but is not willing to return to take up em
ployment - availability; not willing to
leave details of how they can be contacted should a job become available -
availability; not looking for work whilst
away - possible availability or ASE or
both!!!!

RE - "I don't want to work in Stratford so I am not applying fo
r that job"; “I don't
want to work in that Garage, I don't
like the people there"! These are cases of
RE. As are cases where the customer
is trained and qualified for a particular
job but refuses to consider or apply for a
job in that field bec
ause of where the
job is; the journey; the pay etc.

An easy win is a JSD. Set one, if the customer does not comply then action
the direction!

Guys, we really need to up the game here. The 5% target is one thing, the
fact we are seeing over 300 people a w
eek and only submitting 6 of them for
possible doubts is simply not quite credible.

Happy to discuss.

matskiuk

ok the latest

sorry been some time

i got a reply from the appeal

all it said was "we cannot pay you jobseekers from 9/4/13 until 9/7/13"

it never said the reason why my appeal was turned down, so it was another useless letter from DWP

I have since found out that the advisor that applied for the sanction was the SAME advisor that put the useless unapplyable link on my UJS, he applied for the sanction on 16/4/13 it was granted 3 days later, ive seen the screen and his name when another "advisor" showed me the screen when I asked

ive got an appointment with that advisor 1.30 pm this afternoon, lets hope i dont get angry at him, to give him a reason to stitch me up more

SaveMeDo

This is why some of us are saying that allowing the DWP access to the UJM is unwise.

Go to the CAB with all the letters, dates, and any other info you have. You may still be able to send in another "reconsideration" appeal or do the full GL24 thing.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gl24-if-you-think-our-decision-is-wrong

You should also contact you MP, and explain that an injustice has been done, that is what they are for.

matskiuk

oh and to the advisors, please re read my original post

an advisor posted a job on the same day it EXPIRED , when i got home, i COULD NOT APPLY as the red apply button was gone and a message saying it expired, THATS what ive been sanctioned for, it WASNT and ISNT my fault, here are screen grabs

imageshack.us/a/img526/5815/saved1.jpg

imageshack.us/a/img29/170/expiredr.jpg

you tell me where it was my fault, i have done everthing that was asked of me every week

SaveMeDo

BTW

Even after all the appeals with the DWP are exhausted, you still have the independent appeals process, the CAB will help you with that.

The thing to remember here is that these sanctions are cumulative, and the next one will be a lot longer, if you don't get this over turned, so it is worth going all the way with this.