Can't caim without time off new job!!!

AuntyJean

My partner has been out of work for a month and signed on, did the phone calls and had an appointment arranged for Tues. Out of the blue he was offered a job with an immediate start.

He asked me to call the local jobcentre to cancel the appointment and to ask if he could still claim. The answer was NOT unless he attends the appointment on Tues. So, he would have to jeapordise his new job just to claim for the month he was out of work! Even if he managed to get there during his lunchour they usually keep you hanging around for 2-3 hours! AND he cannot claim for the month in hand he will have to work -'part and parcel of getting a new job' I was told by the jobcentre!

So, as usual, you try to help yourself and get kicked in the teeth for doing so. What a country we live in!!

ukdickie31

If the Job does start, unfortunately, the benefit system pays in arrears so benefit is only payable up to the date before work starts.

Make sure the JCP40 book (signing card) gets returned pretty quickly as there may be odd days due.

Sometimes a Crisis Loan can be applied for,, but don't hold your breath !

jfdi

What a load of baloney!

Grrrrrrr - some of my colleagues make me SOOOOOOOOO angry! (not you UKDickie! - the person on the phone!)

Get him to fully complete anything he's been sent & sign any print-outs the Call Centre have sent, making sure he amends anything that needs amending & initials it.

He then needs to write a letter saying he wishes to claim JSA from xx/xx/xx to yy/yy/yy. (If xx/xx/xx is before the date he booked the appointment he'll either have another form (JSA5) to fill in or will be sent one.) Sign & date the letter.

Send/get someone to drop off; all that stuff + the letter + ORIGINALS OF ALL DOCUMENTATION REQUESTED, inc ID (that's why I'd call in with it!).

The JCP should then process the claim for the relevant period. If anything's missing or they have any questions they'll call him or drop him a line.

If someone can call in with it all they SHOULD photocopy & verify all the documents while you wait & return them to you - saves them getting 'lost'!!!! (filed somewhere obscure, more like - but YKWIM!)

Any probs - PM me!

HTH

A
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AuntyJean

Thank you so much for your kind advice.

The application has taken so long (they say they will ring him but don't and then when he rings them they say they want further information such as all the jobs and out of work periods for the last year, which I had on computer, etc.) that he hasn't even had an interview with them which is what they are insisiting on.

He said he had an 'interview' on Tue but the girl who was to be 'interviewing' said nothing had been booked as he had not sent back the 'contact sheet' which I told her we had not had - it turned up yesterday (Friday) at about 3.30pm!).

Can he still attempt a claim please? It is costing me a fortune and means that I have to pay the interest on his loans to avoid charges etc. It would be good if we could get something back.

Thanks

jfdi

Yes of course!

Do you have a print out yet with all (!) the info he's given on it, plus a lot of official words? It'll be upwards of 12-ish sheets of A4?

Not sure what this 'contact sheet' is. What does it say?

Sounds like it's been a bit of a muck up so far - she says mildly!

Let me know - but I think you're nearly ready to roll!

LOL!

A
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AuntyJean

jfdi wrote: »

Yes of course!

Let me know - but I think you're nearly ready to roll!

LOL!

A
xx

Have PM'd you with more info.