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JSA payment suspended
Spify23_2
Posts: 6 Forumite
(Sorry this is so long, tried to include all relevant information.)
I started claiming JSA on the 8th of June as I was dismissed from my job. I attempted to claim HB at the same time but as it normally takes 28 days to process I was unable to keep my flat as I would not have enough money to pay my rent on the 1st of July. My tenancy had expired 18 months previously so I was on a month to month tenancy. (I never resigned as I was actually looking for a better place prior to losing my job). I explained the situation to my landlord and he didn't care. Told me if I didn't have full rent by 1st of July I was out. I was scared and am new to all this benefits things so I left.
I moved in with a friend on the 1st of July and filled in the relevant change of circumstances forms with my advisor when I signed on on the 5th of July. I received my money as usual on the 10th of July.
However on my next signing on day (19/07013) my advisor noticed a suspension had been put on my payment as a letter had been returned from my previous address. (I still don't know when that letter was actually dated for). My advisor told me to go downstairs and ring Benefit Inquiries. I did this and they informed me I would need to bring in proof of address. I explained that I do not have proof of address as I am only temporarily staying with a friend so do not have any kind of tenancy agreement. They said that was fine and I would just need to fill out a form over the phone, which I did. They said it would take a few days to process. So the following week I had an advisors meeting and he said the suspension was still on my claim. Again I phoned them up and they said the information I gave them was not sufficient and I would need proof of address. Again I said I do not have proof of address and they told me that a letter from my friend I am staying with would do.
The following week (02/08/13) I handed in a letter from my friend confirming that I am staying with him on a temporary basis and sleeping on his couch, to my advisor. I was told that it would take 4 working days for them to receive and process this. So I waited.
I phoned up again the following Thursday (08/08/13) and was told that nothing had been received. I was also told that a letter from my friend would not be sufficient and I would also need to complete a Living Together Form and accompany it with a letter from myself. They said the forms would be sent out to me but will take 2 working days.
I went into my local JCP the following day with the letter and asked for a Living Together Form. I completed the form and handed it back in on the Monday morning.
On the 15th of August my friend decided that he could no longer have me stay with him as I could make no financial contributions to anything and was eating his food and asked me to leave. So I wet down to my local Neighbourhood office and was able to find temporary accommodation in a hostel the following day (Friday).
I signed on on the Monday (19/08/13) and gave my advisor a copy of my new tenancy agreement. I also phoned up BE again to find out what was going on with my claim and was informed that nothing had yet been received but they would send off and email and issue a call back later that day. I eventually received a call back at 16:20 but the signal at my new accommodation is so horrendous the woman couldn't hear a word I was saying and promptly cut me off saying "you'll have to call us back' before giving me 10 seconds to get better signal.
Now I have to go into the JCP every time I need to call them as I do not have credit on my phone and do not have the money to by credit so I cannot phone them up everyday.
I phoned back on the 21st of August and was told it would take 4 days for them to receive my tenancy agreement. I questioned about the information for my previous address that I initially sent in and was told nothing had yet been received. I was told to call back on Friday as they should have received the information by then. So I called back on Friday and was told nothing had yet been received but they would issue a call back before 16:30pm. I ensured my phone and myself was in a place I knew I had good signal and was at my friends house, but received no call back.
Monday being a bank holiday I was unable to do anything and called them again on Tuesday complaining that I never received a call back. They said a call back had been issued for 16:15pm on Friday but do not know whether it was actually made. I was told they would give me another call back that day. But I received nothing.
Just to top off my already bad luck the hostel I am staying in was broken into by some youths (second time since I have moved in) even though all the doors were locked. They managed to get into my room (door was locked) and stole my Phone and Tablet. So I now have no way for anybody to contact me. (Currently at a friends using his wifi)
I was unable to call them on Wednesday so called them again on Thursday (yesterday). I received the same generic response that they would send through an email and was told to call back again after 16:30. I called back again at 16:30 and was told that nothing has been processed yet and call back the next day.
I phoned them today at 14:45 and the gentleman I spoke to was very helpful and said he would put a 1 hour something or other on it and I should call back then. He was very helpful and hopeful that I should receive some money today. I called back at 15:50 and the woman I spoke to sounded like she just couldn't care. She said nothing had been added to my information and she would pass it over to a manager. I must call back in an hour. I requested to speak to a manager or at least somebody who was slightly more useful than a voice in a call centre, somebody who could actually do something and was told very rudely that nothing could be done and I must call back in an hour. I called back again at 16:40 and was told once again that nothing had changed and there was nothing they could do.
Now I do understand that I am only speaking to people in a call centre. They only take down information and pass on information.
I have been without a penny for almost 8 weeks now. I have no money. All I have is 12p in my bank account. I owe people money as I have been having to borrow in order to buy food and I frankly have run out of people to borrow money from now as I owe them all something. I have no family nearby that I can go to for tea and due to owing all my friends money, they aren't likely to have me round either.
I have enquired time and time again about an emergency payment but they cannot issue one as my payments are suspended so they cannot put any money into my account.
I am literally at my wits end here and really do not know what to do.
I have also contemplated signing off and then back on with my current address and information but how would that affect the back pay they owe me?
Also would swapping my claim to ESA change anything? I suffer from depression. I thought I was fine but frankly these last few weeks have been hell and I can feel myself slipping back into that hole again. When I say I am at my wits end I truly mean it. I am honestly unsure about myself with all this going on. I have been to my doc and he wants to put me back on meds but without any money I cannot pay for a prescription. I have sent off an HC1 form but until I get a result I need to pay for prescriptions. :mad:
I started claiming JSA on the 8th of June as I was dismissed from my job. I attempted to claim HB at the same time but as it normally takes 28 days to process I was unable to keep my flat as I would not have enough money to pay my rent on the 1st of July. My tenancy had expired 18 months previously so I was on a month to month tenancy. (I never resigned as I was actually looking for a better place prior to losing my job). I explained the situation to my landlord and he didn't care. Told me if I didn't have full rent by 1st of July I was out. I was scared and am new to all this benefits things so I left.
I moved in with a friend on the 1st of July and filled in the relevant change of circumstances forms with my advisor when I signed on on the 5th of July. I received my money as usual on the 10th of July.
However on my next signing on day (19/07013) my advisor noticed a suspension had been put on my payment as a letter had been returned from my previous address. (I still don't know when that letter was actually dated for). My advisor told me to go downstairs and ring Benefit Inquiries. I did this and they informed me I would need to bring in proof of address. I explained that I do not have proof of address as I am only temporarily staying with a friend so do not have any kind of tenancy agreement. They said that was fine and I would just need to fill out a form over the phone, which I did. They said it would take a few days to process. So the following week I had an advisors meeting and he said the suspension was still on my claim. Again I phoned them up and they said the information I gave them was not sufficient and I would need proof of address. Again I said I do not have proof of address and they told me that a letter from my friend I am staying with would do.
The following week (02/08/13) I handed in a letter from my friend confirming that I am staying with him on a temporary basis and sleeping on his couch, to my advisor. I was told that it would take 4 working days for them to receive and process this. So I waited.
I phoned up again the following Thursday (08/08/13) and was told that nothing had been received. I was also told that a letter from my friend would not be sufficient and I would also need to complete a Living Together Form and accompany it with a letter from myself. They said the forms would be sent out to me but will take 2 working days.
I went into my local JCP the following day with the letter and asked for a Living Together Form. I completed the form and handed it back in on the Monday morning.
On the 15th of August my friend decided that he could no longer have me stay with him as I could make no financial contributions to anything and was eating his food and asked me to leave. So I wet down to my local Neighbourhood office and was able to find temporary accommodation in a hostel the following day (Friday).
I signed on on the Monday (19/08/13) and gave my advisor a copy of my new tenancy agreement. I also phoned up BE again to find out what was going on with my claim and was informed that nothing had yet been received but they would send off and email and issue a call back later that day. I eventually received a call back at 16:20 but the signal at my new accommodation is so horrendous the woman couldn't hear a word I was saying and promptly cut me off saying "you'll have to call us back' before giving me 10 seconds to get better signal.
Now I have to go into the JCP every time I need to call them as I do not have credit on my phone and do not have the money to by credit so I cannot phone them up everyday.
I phoned back on the 21st of August and was told it would take 4 days for them to receive my tenancy agreement. I questioned about the information for my previous address that I initially sent in and was told nothing had yet been received. I was told to call back on Friday as they should have received the information by then. So I called back on Friday and was told nothing had yet been received but they would issue a call back before 16:30pm. I ensured my phone and myself was in a place I knew I had good signal and was at my friends house, but received no call back.
Monday being a bank holiday I was unable to do anything and called them again on Tuesday complaining that I never received a call back. They said a call back had been issued for 16:15pm on Friday but do not know whether it was actually made. I was told they would give me another call back that day. But I received nothing.
Just to top off my already bad luck the hostel I am staying in was broken into by some youths (second time since I have moved in) even though all the doors were locked. They managed to get into my room (door was locked) and stole my Phone and Tablet. So I now have no way for anybody to contact me. (Currently at a friends using his wifi)
I was unable to call them on Wednesday so called them again on Thursday (yesterday). I received the same generic response that they would send through an email and was told to call back again after 16:30. I called back again at 16:30 and was told that nothing has been processed yet and call back the next day.
I phoned them today at 14:45 and the gentleman I spoke to was very helpful and said he would put a 1 hour something or other on it and I should call back then. He was very helpful and hopeful that I should receive some money today. I called back at 15:50 and the woman I spoke to sounded like she just couldn't care. She said nothing had been added to my information and she would pass it over to a manager. I must call back in an hour. I requested to speak to a manager or at least somebody who was slightly more useful than a voice in a call centre, somebody who could actually do something and was told very rudely that nothing could be done and I must call back in an hour. I called back again at 16:40 and was told once again that nothing had changed and there was nothing they could do.
Now I do understand that I am only speaking to people in a call centre. They only take down information and pass on information.
I have been without a penny for almost 8 weeks now. I have no money. All I have is 12p in my bank account. I owe people money as I have been having to borrow in order to buy food and I frankly have run out of people to borrow money from now as I owe them all something. I have no family nearby that I can go to for tea and due to owing all my friends money, they aren't likely to have me round either.
I have enquired time and time again about an emergency payment but they cannot issue one as my payments are suspended so they cannot put any money into my account.
I am literally at my wits end here and really do not know what to do.
I have also contemplated signing off and then back on with my current address and information but how would that affect the back pay they owe me?
Also would swapping my claim to ESA change anything? I suffer from depression. I thought I was fine but frankly these last few weeks have been hell and I can feel myself slipping back into that hole again. When I say I am at my wits end I truly mean it. I am honestly unsure about myself with all this going on. I have been to my doc and he wants to put me back on meds but without any money I cannot pay for a prescription. I have sent off an HC1 form but until I get a result I need to pay for prescriptions. :mad:
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Comments
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Why did you make yourself homeless? All this could have been avoided if you had just stayed where you were. Anyway, you can ask the JC for a referral to a foodbank so you can at least get food. You'll just have to speak to them every day until they pay you something. I would sign off until they do.:footie:
Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. 0 -
Where's all your stuff? Couldn't you sell any of it?Trying to be a man is a waste of a woman0
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I never made myself homeless. As I never had a current tenancy agreement my landlord could tell me to go whenever he wanted. Which is what he did. If I had stayed I would have been far worse off than leaving. Also if I had stayed I would not have been able to afford the place anyway as my weekly bills (water, electric, gas and service charges) come up to just over £20 a week and I was told when claiming HB that they would not be included in any HB. BTW I am only 22 so only receiving £56.80 a week.
How will signing off and back on affect the money they already owe me?
I now have nothing worth selling. I was planning on pawning my phone but as that has been stolen the only thing of value I actually own is a silver locket given to me by my deceased grandfather that is worth only £3 for scrap and frankly it is the only thing I have left of him and is worth far more in sentimental value.0 -
I never made myself homeless. As I never had a current tenancy agreement my landlord could tell me to go whenever he wanted. Which is what he did. If I had stayed I would have been far worse off than leaving. Also if I had stayed I would not have been able to afford the place anyway as my weekly bills (water, electric, gas and service charges) come up to just over £20 a week and I was told when claiming HB that they would not be included in any HB. BTW I am only 22 so only receiving £56.80 a week.
How will signing off and back on affect the money they already owe me?
I now have nothing worth selling. I was planning on pawning my phone but as that has been stolen the only thing of value I actually own is a silver locket given to me by my deceased grandfather that is worth only £3 for scrap and frankly it is the only thing I have left of him and is worth far more in sentimental value.
No, you had a rolling tenancy which requires one month notice from you and two from your landlord. He couldn't have started eviction proceedings until you were at least 2 months in arrears with your rent.Trying to be a man is a waste of a woman0 -
I was already one months in arrears. So if I had not paid by the 1st of July I would have been 2 months in arrears. And as I stated, even if I had stayed I would not have been able to afford the additional bills so would be in a worse situation in living in a place I could not afford. The original plan was for me to move in with my friend for a few weeks and then to move down to my grandmothers once I had enough money for a ticket, but unfortunately that plan failed as I never received any money after moving in with my friend. Without any money I haven't been able to make that move so had to move into a temp hostel.
It doesn't matter what I should have done or could have done. It is done now and I have done everything I have been asked with no luck.0 -
If you have family who would put you up, that would probably be the best thing to do.0
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sorry to hear you are in this situation. I don't really have any practical advise what you can do quickly but I suggest you email what you have written above to your MP so this can be investigated. Also have you tried CAB they may be able to help. Good Luck.0
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Try Citizens Advice Bureau or Shelter for advice as soon as you can,0
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If you have family who would put you up, that would probably be the best thing to do.
The issue isn't having somewhere to stay as I do. The issue is having no money to buy food let alone pay my other mounting bills that I am also in arrears with now. I have looked into all local food banks in the area and nothing opens until Monday, and even then I am required to get a referral in which case I would need to go to the CAB.
Also my family live to far away from me to get to. My parents are in South Africa permanently and my Grandmother is still in the UK but again too far away and I would only be able to get there by train which would cost a lot and again, I don't have the money and she definitely doesn't either. And also, changing address again will just cause further issues with my claim as it currently is so realistically I can't go to my Grandmothers until I have resolved my current issue of receiving a payment0 -
Hey op,
if you don't mind me asking, why did you get dismissed from your job? to be honest, looking at your post you have bought all this on yourself. I am sorry but that is my opinion because its been stated last year that if you leave your job due to your own misconduct then you can claim JSA but you will get sanctioned for how long depends on your misconduct.0
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