Appealing a Sanction

SJ32116

Just got a letter to say I've been sanctioned from January 1st to January 28th for not attending the work programme and not having a good reason. I was ill that day and when I rang up they said it'd be fine if I explained it in the good reason letter the Job Centre send out, clearly not.

I'm obviously going to appeal but what's my chance of actually winning it without any new evidence to offer them?

I've no way of proving that I was ill as it was just a case of the flu which the doctor can do nothing for anyway and even if they could it takes over a week to get an appointment. This is also the first appointment I've ever missed through illness.

On the other side of the argument they can't prove I wasn't ill either so how the hell can they just dish out a sanction with no evidence yet they expect me to have evidence of everything. Absolute joke of a system.

red_devil

Fight the scum. They are doing everything they can to cut ppls money.

ask your mp to get involved. You should be able to email.

jacques_chirac

How many days were you off for? If only one it would not be flu, maybe 'man flu'? Have you had any absences in the past year?

stix62

Was this attendance mandatory and were you notified in writing with the correct wording?

SJ32116

jacques_chirac wrote: »

How many days were you off for? If only one it would not be flu, maybe 'man flu'? Have you had any absences in the past year?

I was ill for quite a few days but only had one work programme appointment during the time I was ill. I might have had another absence in the past year, I honestly can't remember. I guess I'll have to check with their records.

It's hard to remember because I was on the work programme and got an appointment letter for my induction but never ended up going as I got a job before I went to the appointment which was all explained to the work programme and job centre at the time. I got let go from that job at the end of the contract in September and got automatically put back on the work programme and this is definitely my first absence since then.

stix62 wrote: »

Was this attendance mandatory and were you notified in writing with the correct wording?

It was mandatory. Every time I get a letter off the work programme provider it tells me that basically anything they give me is mandatory.

red_devil

You must appeal, the more that appeal their sanctions the better.

SJ32116

I've checked with my work programme provider bloke and indeed I did take another absence in March 2013. I've gone back through last years diary and it seems I cancelled the induction date as it was the same date as an already booked dentist appointment to have a tooth removed.

So can you not have 2 absences in an almost one year period? That's ridiculous.

Indie_Kid

Did you fill in a form from the job centre saying you were ill?

SJ32116

sh1305 wrote: »

Did you fill in a form from the job centre saying you were ill?

All I filled in was the letter they send out asking you to explain why you were not at the appointment. I asked my work programme provider for the procedure about an illness and was told that it's to ring them, ring the job centre and fill in the good reason letter. All of which I did.

jobseeking_help

SJ

Please do as SH suggests. Go into the Jobcentre and complete a JSA28. This is the form to note absence due to sickness. Make sure the period is less than 14 days or your claim will be closed - you are allowed up to 14 days absence due to sickness on JSA. Any more than that and you will have to claim ESA.

You are allowed 2 periods of sickness within any rolling 12 mths so if you've already completed 2 other JSA28 forms within the last 12 mths that will also close your claim.

Then complete a DR7 to appeal the sanction. Ensure that a copy of the JSA28 is attached to the DR7.

I guarantee this will make the sanction go away.

All the best

sniggings

it's good this, having no food is not a condition to get hardship payments if sanctioned and being ill is not a good reason why you can't make an appointment :eek:

I thought you have 2 weeks sick on JSA? how can they possibly say being ill is not a good enough reason.

Appeal and also email your MP, this is getting crazy. consider chaining yourself to your MPs home.