Income Support Problems!

andrina_2

My ex-partner is claiming Income Support and doesn't seem to be getting anywhere with receiving payments...

He spends most days at the social office chasing it up but is constantly being told that the payment should be in his account within the next 1-2 days and to keep checking it. This has been going on for nearly 3 months now.

The excuse that he is being given for the delay is that he has moved address recently and so has his Social office but the length of time this claim is taking is getting ridiculous. He has been refused Crisis loans several times and he is at a loss now of how he will cope without money. Luckily we are on excellent terms so (seeing as we share a child and I am working) I have been helping him out with finances which is causing a real drain on me too.

Does anyone have any advise of how we can lean on the social to get this payment up and running??

christabell

Sorry to hear about this. The DWP can really give one the run around. A visit to your Ex's MP will soon get the ball rolling.......

Oldernotwiser

I apologise if I'm being overly cynical but are you absolutely sure he's telling you the truth? He seems to be onto a good deal with not working and you subbing him; could he possibly be getting benefits and lying about it to you?

Masses of apologies if this couldn't be the case but people do some dodgy things nowadays!

mikegall_2

If the case is as you described, then I would suggest that he goes into the office that he deals with and submit a written complaint, there are strict timescales for these to be actioned. As I have the misfortune to work for the Dept of Work and Pensions, I can understand that there would be a delay because he has changed address but for this to take 3 months to resolve does not sound likely but, if it is the case then he needs to make a complaint to get it resolved. He can also enquire about a Special Payment for the manner in which his case has been dealt with.

Bogof_Babe

Why is he claiming Income Support? Can he not work due to illness? I'd have thought JSA would be more appropriate, or if he can't work then DLA.

Sorry, just puzzled as to the background here.

zappster1966

As a (thankfully) ex- job centre person I can only assume that crisis loans have been refused on the grounds that Income Support benefit is due ... but a delay of 3 months is simply ridiculous. Has there been confusion about his address ? Possibly a piece of DWP mail returned to his last office saying he'd moved away ?

In any event the staff could've recalled the bank payment and given him a counter payment instead ... they can recall a payment up to midday the day before the payment is due to be paid.

I'd tell him to phone the office where his benefits are processed (not the Job Centre), establish the exact date the payment is due to be paid and if they have the time still left to recall the payment he can ask for a counter payment at the Job Centre instead.