JSA Stopped - Benefits Integrity Centre

StormyWeather_2

Darandio wrote: »

Another development this morning, and it gets more ridiculous.

Just had a phonecall from the school informing me that the free school meals were stopped last Monday, meaning we owe for a weeks worth of school meals for two children and I was also told in no uncertain terms that the children won't receive a dinner today. Emergency packed lunch it is.

Once again, we haven't had either a letter or a phonecall about this, but considering it is the council we would be talking about here, I don't expect anything anyway. What worries me is if the housing benefit has been stopped as well, that could be the straw that broke the camels back.

Now, time to drop off the kids at school and then make some interesting phonecalls.

Contact the HB office. They could have received an automatic notification that your JSA has been stopped but not why, so they suspend the HB payments. You just need to provide them with proof of what's happened, and proof of income.

Why has it taken the school a week to contact you about this?

Darandio

StormyWeather wrote: »

Why has it taken the school a week to contact you about this?

I can only assume they found out this morning.

Given I only received a letter on Saturday, isn't it plausible that the council only received notification on Saturday as well, but then weren't in the office until this morning?

Saying that, my letter is dated from 21st January when the claim was stopped and I assume (maybe wrongly) that they all have access to some sort of database.

Darandio

Okay, just had the phone call, all questions answered to a satisfactory manner and records are to be updated and the suspension lifted. Apparently, by the time I sign on next Monday, all will be well and payment will be made on the Thursday as normal.

However, I did try to get to the bottom of the 'history' of what had led to this letter. Apparently, there was only one original letter sent, and they had dispatched that on 19th December, right on Christmas. They also apparently made one solitary phone call, around the same time. So yes, one missing letter and one phantom phone call, no further warning and your benefits are stopped. Be warned.

I have just received the expected letter from the council about the school meal entitlement, informing me that I have to provide school meals from 21st January, it's now 27th, so that letter isn't entirely helpful. I have also just contacted them, but was unable to talk to anybody immediately so am awaiting a call back from them.

sniggings

that's really bad, not sure what's worse, but the kids not getting a school meal is crazy, I'm sure they could have taken your word for this and still fed the kids, it's not like we are talking loads of money here. I doubt there is a big racket in free school meal cons for them to take this line.

Darandio

Today was more of an inconvenience than anything, but I agree, to take a phonecall at 08:30 to tell you that your kids won't be fed is a bit crazy.

I'm just waiting to see what happens about the whole of last week, when they were fed when they apparently shouldn't have been. A full week of school dinners for two is £20.50, so if they believe that they are entitled to that from me, I'm afraid they will be singing for it.

sniggings

Darandio wrote: »

Today was more of an inconvenience than anything, but I agree, to take a phonecall at 08:30 to tell you that your kids won't be fed is a bit crazy.

I'm just waiting to see what happens about the whole of last week, when they were fed when they apparently should have been. A full week of school dinners for two is £20.50, so if they believe that they are entitled to that from me, I'm afraid they will be singing for it.

I was worried then for a minute I thought you were going to say you were going to pay it :beer:

mikey_bach

Darandio wrote: »

Today was more of an inconvenience than anything, but I agree, to take a phone call at 08:30 to tell you that your kids won't be fed is a bit crazy.

I'm just waiting to see what happens about the whole of last week, when they were fed when they apparently shouldn't have been. A full week of school dinners for two is £20.50, so if they believe that they are entitled to that from me, I'm afraid they will be singing for it.

Glad you sorted it.
Usually a BIC can suspend a claim if they are doing a review and they haven't been able to get in touch with the customer. Usually its a phone call, then a letter if no response then they suspend. They gave either a month or twenty eight days for the customer to contact, if no contact then they will close the claim and there is no rights of appeal against this, you would have to claim again

With regards to the dinner money owed, you don't owe any
Your claim is continuous with no gaps or breaks and if the LA try to get the money off you just ring JSA again and get a benefit entitlement letter issued and show it to your LA, this should do the trick.

gillysilly1993

Got a call from this number today 08000232635. Didnt answer it as tend to noit answer 0800 numbers. Looking online I see its DWP about new claims but ive been on jsa since may/june last year so why would they need to contact me about a new claim. They left me a voicemail saying 'You have been called by the department of work and pensions but did not answer. We will call you back later' Getting worried now :S

Aloulou

A friend has also had this problem and I've been searching the internet for the number for him to call.... He filled in the a12 form (think that's the one) does anyone have the right number to call for the benefits integrity centre?
Thanks in advance