JSA Unfair sanction

joeblack066

sammyjammy wrote: »

I personally think the problem with these sanctions are they are being aimed at the wrong people. The people that are not searching for work are the long long term unemployed, too good at playing the game, its virtually impossible to challenge them (I'm obviously generalising but we all know the type).

Staff on the frontline in the Jobcentre are poorly trained, if at all in some cases and therefore the people that cop it are the newly unemployed doing what they can to find work and not fully realising the implications of not doing something (for what is probably a valid reason).

My biggest problem is that people don't seem to be being told that the doubt has arisen at the time and are having to be told this by benefit staff when they ring to find out why their money hasn't arrived. This is so wrong and is probably related to the lack of training in dealing with difficult situations. In my day we were required to inform a claimant of a doubt on their claim whilst they sat in front of you but then things were very different in my Jobcentre days 15 years ago.

Can you give some back up to some of these points pls? As I have never seen untrained staff, nor have I seen anyone not be told that their claim is being sent to a DM. FYI, the Adviser does not sanction at all. If they see that the Customer has not adhered to the terms of their JSAg, they have to refer it to the DM. That's it.

deebee33

I just appealed my sanction and had it reversed, apparently most appeals are being successful.

Mersey_2

deebee33 wrote: »

I just appealed my sanction and had it reversed, apparently most appeals are being successful.

Glad to hear it.

To answer your and Others previous Q re a sanction, yes:

JCP have to notify the Claimant of the Decision Maker's [DM] decision 'in time' otherwise the decision may not remain effective (DM 01119);

JCP have to provide the Claimant with a written statement within 14 days, in accordance with DM 01130;

whether the Claimant provided the information in a telephone call at all,

JCP should have sought further evidence - indeed whether the DM didas much as possible to see that all necessary evidence was brought to light- in accordance with DM01342, before imposing a sanction.