The work program messed me up!!!

TMProject

Not sure if anyone else had the same or similar story, but I don’t know what to do… This is my story… (It's a long one)

I was on the Work Program and coming to an end before I had to come of their books and sign on full-time. My advisor at the Work Program advised me of this option, but when giving me the option, the manner in which she advised me on which option to take (bearing in mind my vulnerability like everyone else who wants to come off ‘the system’) was telling me that if I continued to sign on full-time with the jobcentre, I would be forced to go into employment with any job they give me and I will be at the jobcentre all day, every day.

About me: I have been working on a high-end project to start my own business-to-business company and have slogged my guts of with the measly change I got from JSA after deductions of my outgoings. I am almost ready to launch my business, but have now hit a brick wall, to which I will get to later…

So anyway, when my advisor gave me the other option of claiming Working Tax Credit (WTC), she was positive with selling me this idea as she explained that I would receive £50 a week (this after she calculated with regards to my circumstances/lifestyle etc) and explained that it would be short-term aid whilst I continue to setup my company.

After some thought, I had opted for the latter as topping up the odd £20, shouldn’t be an issue as my outgoings will be catered for with a few minor changes to my living.

As she was going on holiday, she arranged for her manager help me complete the WTC form, to which he did and I sent off my application to HMRC.

After a few weeks, I was chasing HMRC for an update and meanwhile I was using the old ‘beg, steal & borrow’ method to cover my outgoings and my business as I assured that HMRC would backdate any monies from the time they received my application or from the date of my last signing on.

A month and a half later, I finally received a letter for further information from HMRC asking me for evidence such as business bank account statements, company accounts, earnings etc etc etc. When I called them to repeat what I was advised, they rightly explained that they can only help people who are earning and they top-up, which is a fair enough method!!! Did the Work Program explain this to me??? NOPE!!!

As they all work under the same umbrella ie The Government, they should have advised this to me.

Anyway, back to my story – When I left a message with my advisor about this (she was not at her desk!), she returned my call and left a voicemail saying that ‘…I had told her that I had Clients…’ Seriously??? Is that the card she is going to play???

Hearing those words enraged me as I realised that I should record EVERY conversation I have with ANYONE!!!

So, as I knew that this is now a battle of ‘her word against mine’ I now know I have been royally screwed. Why??? Since September 22nd 2013, I have had NO source of income. My business??? Well, now with the added stress of creditors hassling me, the DWP chasing my budgeting loan I got f whilst signing-on and everything else, I am now at a brick wall with my business.

Coming to near launch of my business, signing on full-time is not an option as I was advised by my advisor at the Work Program that I will be looking for work NOT working on my start-up!!! So, spending full-time hours away, would mean delaying my project and IF I was to be forced into work I would probably have to abandon my project which I have slogged my butt for. Basically, either is NOT an option, unless I get a job which I can have my laptop with me and able to work on project and make and receive calls with regards to my business. As I am close to launch, I have given up looking at the clock or knowing what date it is, so I do not see how I can go into work.

Maybe, they want me to stay in the system – NEVER!!!

I had a meeting with the manager (the one I mentioned earlier) and he declined having the meeting recorded, which is fair enough to which he took notes. He said that he will send me the ‘minutes’ to which he didn’t but he responded basically saying that when he formally spoke to my advisor, I did tell her that I had Clients and that she did not pressure me into any options yadda yadda yadda and that I signed the declaration which stated " I am confident that I will be able to sustain myself
as a self employed worker and that my self employment is sustainable on a
continuous basis." - I have not yet responded to this email!!!

All I know is that I have been royally screwed and having NO money whatsoever because of the Work Program has put me in a MESS!!!

I do not have time to check my spiel for spelling or grammatical errors as I have to go back to my project and talking about this, disgusts and angers me and I don’t want this energy to disrupt my project. All I want to is start trading and start employing people and at least do my part for the economy!!!

Can anyone give me any ideas on what I should do.

I am not looking for a loan or funding as what I need for my business is fairly low, but I also have my personal expenses too… (sigh)

theoretica

TMProject wrote: »

I am not looking for a loan or funding as what I need for my business is fairly low, but I also have my personal expenses too… (sigh)

Your business has one big expense - it needs to pay you a living wage while you work to set it up. If your business plan is sound enough a loan or funding for this seems the only way to go.

dancingfairy

Can you not go back on to JSA? search for work and in your spare time set up your business? If your job starts paying you then great, if not then hopefully you'll get a job or the benefits will tide you over? Also I'd put in a complaint to the jobcentre.
df