JSA stopped even though I filled out holiday form?

cash_warrior

Hi everyone,

Hopefully someone can help.

I've had a pretty 'woe is me' year and I've been struggling to find work since I was laid off in February. I signed on in Feb and have done everything asked of me since then with regards to appointments etc.

Anywho, I was due to sign on lat Tuesday. It was the 19th November. I previously signed on two weeks prior on 5th Nov.

On Monday 18th November my parents asked me if I wanted a few days in Wales and I figured I couldn't because I had to sign on. It was a spur of the minute decision and we were due to leave on Monday evening (got back Fri/yesterday).

After a quick 'googling' I popped off to the job centre on Monday 18th and filled out a ES674 (going on hols in Great Britain form). I was assured that even though it was late notice it would be fine and I would receive a letter when I got back telling me that I would have to attend the following week to sign. The DWP site themselves state that handing in the
ES674 is fine 'ANY TIME' before the claimant leaves. I left telephone numbers for contact and confirmed that I would be using Universal JobMatch every day (which I did!)

I knew I wouldn't get paid until I had sigend but this morning I have received three letters from my job centre. They're all dated 19th November which was my 'signing' date.

One letter is a P45. One letter is letter stating that I am not being paid an allowance from 6th November onwards because I am either working more than 16 hours or I did not attend to sign my declaration. The third letter is informing me that my jobseekers is a taxable income.

I'm having panic kittens now because I rely on JobSeekers as part of my Housing Benefit Claim and I also receive a discretionary payment. Why would this happen when I was assured it was fine?

Any help at all would stop me jumping from my roof at the minute. As it's a Saturday I can't even go in and tell them that I handed the form in on Monday (prior to their letter the next day!).

Thanks guys,

M

Shiloe

It could have happened depending on the answers you gave on the form

cash_warrior

I don't see that. I said I would be actively looking for work and I have been (which they can check on the website). I gave the 'correct' answers because it was important to do so...

gay_guy

Jobcentre is getting crazy everyday and sorry this has happend to your op but due to Jobcentre, you should never miss any appointments.

I never miss or be late at Jobcentre signings on as I can't afford to loose my JSA as I need that for my Housing Benefit like you.

You can appeal the decision and tell them what's happend and then the decision maker will look at it and to see if its a good reason for not stopping your Jobseekers.

cash_warrior

I haven't been late or missed any appointment since signing on in February.

Often I have been the only person sat in a lecture theatre when there are twelve on the list. I wouldn't risk anything.

It's frustrating that there is a very specific form to fill out that allows a holiday and that I was told by a job centre staff member that 'it would be fine'.

Shiloe

cash_warrior wrote: »

I gave the 'correct' answers because it was important to do so...

I get the impression you gave the job centre the answers that you thought would continue your benefit regardless if those answers were accurate to your 'holiday'

Neelienew

Do a rapid reclaim now.
If they have sent a P45 they have ended your claim.

cash_warrior

I get the impression you gave the job centre the answers that you thought would continue your benefit regardless if those answers were accurate to your 'holiday'

Then you get the wrong impression --- I gave the correct answers and they incidentally coincided with the truth. e.g. I was available for work, I would have come home immediately if a vacancy became available, I would and did search for jobs every day I was away, I was contactable whilst away and I did have a contact here who could be contacted in my absence.

cash_warrior

Neelienew wrote: »

Do a rapid reclaim now.
If they have sent a P45 they have ended your claim.

Thanks, but someone suggested appealing?! Which is quicker? Xmas is looming and I don't want to have things back-dated.

mojos.revenge

Some times I think that the Job Centre staff are so pressurised that they skim through forms without actually reading then. Either that or they are just bloody minded and like to make people beg for their money.

Neelienew

cash_warrior wrote: »

Thanks, but someone suggested appealing?! Which is quicker? Xmas is looming and I don't want to have things back-dated.

I would do a rapid reclaim and you can explain what has happened.
As I said they have ended your claim and you need to get it restarted ASAP. I'm pretty sure an appeal would take too long.