JSA Letter I don't understand?! Help!

123helpme123

Hi guys

I've recently (last Monday in fact) been dismissed from a role I was in for 3 1/2 years.

I applied for JSA online on the 22nd and attended a registration meeting on Wednesday 25th. The JSA advisor told me I would be entitled to the benefit as I didn't leave work due to my own accord. I even asked about being dismissed as it was my fault, she said it didn't matter as long as I hadn't resigned.

I've received a letter today dated 23rd, which states this:

'We cannot pay you Job Seekers Allowance from 22nd April 2013

We recently told you that a decision would be made about a doubt:

If you are looking for work, and you intended to dispute or appeal against this decision, or to apply for hardship payments, you should continue to provide signed declarations as instructed in your ES40.

We cannot award National Insurance contribution credits for this period.

We cannot pay Jobseekers Allowance for the first 3 days of your claim.'

It then goes on to talk about other benefits I could apply for (but given my circumstances I'm not entitled too)



I'm unsure, if they are stating they will pay JSA from 3 days after I have made the claim (I.e 25th onwards) or what.
There not open today, so any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

epitome

Looks like it is disallowed for some reason -possibly being sacked- I don't think the lady in the JC knows what she is talking about. You should continue to sign, ask for a statement of reasons, appeal and claim hardship allowance. You may not get hardship.

123helpme123

But surely it would say they are sanctioning me, which it doesn't. It just says won't pay JSA for the first 3 days?

123helpme123

What's confusing me is the

' we cannot pay you job seekers allowance from 22 April 2013' and then 4 sentences down 'we cannot pay job seekers allowance for the first 3 days of your claim'

So which is it!

pmlindyloo

123helpme123 wrote: »

What's confusing me is the

' we cannot pay you job seekers allowance from 22 April 2013' and then 4 sentences down 'we cannot pay job seekers allowance for the first 3 days of your claim'


So which is it!

Most of these letters are formatted and they just insert dates etc. Sometimes they forget to delete a sentence - all very confusing

I have to agree that this sounds like you will not be paid JSA but I agree that they should have told you how long your sanction is for.

Might just have to wait until Monday, I'm afraid.

If it helps - a claim for JSA can be santioned if you resign from a job without a good reason or if you have been dismissed because of misconduct.

Often they contact your ex employer to verify the circumstances.

123helpme123

Oh that's ridiculous! Why have they insisted I go a flippin' registration appointment if they had no intention of paying me anything?!

And now I have to worry about it until Monday!

Dovah_diva

I read the letter as meaning that they can't pay JSA for the first three days - but I am an optimist!

pmlindyloo

I do feel for you. We get lots of posters saying that letters arrive on Saturday which leaves them feeling worried all through the weekend. Seems to be s*ds law.

The good news is that by registering you will still receive your NI credits (not that you're 'bovvered'!)

pmlindyloo

Have just found this:

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/working_or_looking_for_work/jobseekers_allowance/jsa_sanctions_-_turn2us.aspx

and it seems that if you are sanctioned then it should only be for 13 weeks.

Not great, but not total doom and gloom.

Of course it may be that you won't be sanctioned at all and even better, you might find a new job.

123helpme123

Obviously the first priority is finding a new job! I've never claimed any benefits before and certainly don't intend on staying on them for too long. I was sacked last Monday, I've had one interview yesterday and hopefully another couple next week if they all come through as planned. But, I'm conscious that a reference may put an employer off, especially if the company decide to be vindictive. I therefore have no choice than to claim.

Yep, I saw the 13 week thing. That works out at 3 months with no money for any bills, food, electric, heating, toiletries. How they expect me to try and secure a job with no clean clothes, illness due to not having heating and no money to buy wash stuff I'll never know.

NI Credits? I never realised I would be entitled to these?

It's just such a misleading letter

Torry_Quine

123helpme123 wrote: »

Obviously the first priority is finding a new job! I've never claimed any benefits before and certainly don't intend on staying on them for too long. I was sacked last Monday, I've had one interview yesterday and hopefully another couple next week if they all come through as planned. But, I'm conscious that a reference may put an employer off, especially if the company decide to be vindictive. I therefore have no choice than to claim.

Yep, I saw the 13 week thing. That works out at 3 months with no money for any bills, food, electric, heating, toiletries. How they expect me to try and secure a job with no clean clothes, illness due to not having heating and no money to buy wash stuff I'll never know.

NI Credits? I never realised I would be entitled to these?

It's just such a misleading letter

I doubt very much that a decision re a possible sanction has been made yet. they have to contact the employer and if there is any descrepancy from your account then get in touch with you again. It then has to go to a decision maker for the final decision on a sanction.

It seems to me from the letter that they are just saying that the first three days are not days when JSA and NI credits are payable.

If sanctioned then you won't get NI credits then either.