Am I eligible for backpay?

perryade

Hey there humans, so apparently I missed a Work Focused Interview in Jan this year. The thing is, I didn't receive the letter because the person I'm a carer for threw it out (She's out of control. She does it with bills too.)

I found out during a "Customer Compliance Interview" that because I didn't attend that there is a sanction on my money and so went about correcting it. I spoke to two nice gentlemen who said that they'd be able to reverse the sanction due to my (quite frantic) circumstances and one of them said I would be eligible for back pay - again due to my circumstances, I didn't miss the WFI on purpose.

Today I spoke to a woman who has rescheduled a WFI. She sounded VERY angry that two people had said my sanction would be lifted without attending another interview. In short her manner was disgustingly repulsive, she started saying that the sanction wouldn't be removed and that there's no way I can get back pay. In the rudest, most humiliating way she could muster. She's got skills.

Now, I know they lie. They've lied to me, relative and friends of mine in the past. They lie for the sake of it (maybe it's just the area I live in, they need to feel control somewhere) I don't know how they employ people at the Job Centre but around 75% of them seem to actively do the opposite of their job when it comes to helping people or say they'll help you then ignore you.

So, now for my long winded question is: am I eligible for backpay? Who was telling the truth? The nice guy or the horrid woman? Missing the interview was obviously a mistake that I'm willing to make up for. I've lost around £200 due to the sanction that I really need for the charges I get from my caree's bill destroying sessions.

Apologies for the long post. I'd just like to know where I stand for when I have to face her. I can't stand conflict when it comes to things that should be straight forward. I also can't stand those who abuse their power for the sake of it.

Thanks!

Lioness_Twinkletoes

I was going to offer some advice, but your post is so horrible I'm not going to bother. I'm fed up with people who slag off DWP staff - I would wager your own attitude could have used a little improvment.

Good luck!

perryade

The woman called me and started talking to me in a disgusting manner. I have done nothing wrong. They treat people like criminals in there.

If lots of people "slag off DWP staff" then surely there's something wrong? I've met maybe 3 nice people in there that I really got on with. They were friendly. I don't even ask for friendly, I just want someone who isn't actively hostile. You see, I just said that I had a nice conversation with two men. Then I was verbally humiliated by a third person on the phone. How is that anything to do with my attitude?

Have I done something wrong here? I'm just talking about my experience. You kind of come across as someone who would blame a victim. You work for DWP?

tomtontom

Your payments will not restart until your attend a WFI. You can appeal the original decision but it sounds like you are out of time to do so.

Given that you know your mail is being thrown away, you need to take control of the situation and stop it happening. I would not accept that as a good reason for not attending the appt - a lockable letterbox would have solved the problem.

perryade

That's a good idea. She's like a child in a woman's body and sometimes she'll run to the post man when I'm off cleaning the house so I have no idea that it happened. It's very hard to explain her condition. She stopped doing it for a very long time and then started again. Her illness fluctuates wildly.

I don't really understand the not accepting it (so if I had a better "excuse" I'd be eligible for back pay?) but alright, as long as the sanction is removed I guess. I'm kind of stuck in this situation and have been for a long time. I don't want to be a carer if I'm honest. It's terrible money and I'm basically the only family member who can help. There's no other option though.

I just get the feeling that the DWP feel like you're trying to get away with something. As if working for the equivalent of £1.60 an hour is really worth it. I'm not saying this about ALL of them by the way in case I've insulted someone.

Anyway I sound like a self pitying dolt and can understand that these posts probably make me seem like an !!!!!!. I was just shocked at what just happened on the phone.

Thank you for the advice, I'll just attend the interview then.

edit: actually maybe I could ask them to get in touch via phone from now on. That would solve everything.

Morglin

perryade wrote: »

Hey there humans, so apparently I missed a Work Focused Interview in Jan this year. The thing is, I didn't receive the letter because the person I'm a carer for threw it out (She's out of control. She does it with bills too.)

I found out during a "Customer Compliance Interview" that because I didn't attend that there is a sanction on my money and so went about correcting it. I spoke to two nice gentlemen who said that they'd be able to reverse the sanction due to my (quite frantic) circumstances and one of them said I would be eligible for back pay - again due to my circumstances, I didn't miss the WFI on purpose.

Today I spoke to a woman who has rescheduled a WFI. She sounded VERY angry that two people had said my sanction would be lifted without attending another interview. In short her manner was disgustingly repulsive, she started saying that the sanction wouldn't be removed and that there's no way I can get back pay. In the rudest, most humiliating way she could muster. She's got skills.

Now, I know they lie. They've lied to me, relative and friends of mine in the past. They lie for the sake of it (maybe it's just the area I live in, they need to feel control somewhere) I don't know how they employ people at the Job Centre but around 75% of them seem to actively do the opposite of their job when it comes to helping people or say they'll help you then ignore you.

So, now for my long winded question is: am I eligible for backpay? Who was telling the truth? The nice guy or the horrid woman? Missing the interview was obviously a mistake that I'm willing to make up for. I've lost around £200 due to the sanction that I really need for the charges I get from my caree's bill destroying sessions.

Apologies for the long post. I'd just like to know where I stand for when I have to face her. I can't stand conflict when it comes to things that should be straight forward. I also can't stand those who abuse their power for the sake of it.

Thanks!

Well, I come at it from two perspectives, as I used to work for them, but now, due to disability, I am one of their customers.

To be honest, DWP staff are like staff from anywhere - some are good, some are bad and some are indifferent. The same applies to claimants.

At the moment we have a perfect storm for a war of attrition between staff and claimants, as the staff are fed up with changing rules, chaotic management from their own office and government and being slung onto the front line to try and implement things that both they and the claimant know will neither help nor achieve anything.

Targets are the order if the day for managers of offices, so they, as most managers do, tend to shovel the sh*t downwards onto the lower tiers, such as advisors.

The claimants are fed up trying to run in circles whilst feeling they are in the middle of a system that doesn't help them or the taxpayer, and the sanctions system seems to defy logic and common sense.

So, no, most staff don't work at the DWP to get their jollies, by bullying, they attend the job to bring home the bacon and pay their bills. Most have no personal hostility about claimants, but neither do most care what a claimant's problems might be.

In answer to your question, you should have asked for mandatory reconsideration of the sanction, followed by appeal, and to have claimed Hardship Allowance, in the meantime, but what I would suggest you go now is phone, ask for an escalated call to a manager and do plain it to them. But, it is YOUR responsibility to take measures ho ensure your post is safe, so I don't know how far you will get.

You need to attend a WFI for the benefit yo be reinstated.

Lin

perryade

Morglin wrote: »

Well, I come at it from two perspectives, as I used to work for them, but now, due to disability, I am one of their customers.

To be honest, DWP staff are like staff from anywhere - some are good, some are bad and some are indifferent. The same applies to claimants.

At the moment we have a perfect storm for a war of attrition between staff and claimants, as the staff are fed up with changing rules, chaotic management from their own office and government and being slung onto the front line to try and implement things that both they and the claimant know will neither help nor achieve anything.

Targets are the order if the day for managers of offices, so they, as most managers do, tend to shovel the sh*t downwards onto the lower tiers, such as advisors.

The claimants are fed up trying to run in circles whilst feeling they are in the middle of a system that doesn't help them or the taxpayer, and the sanctions system seems to defy logic and common sense.

So, no, most staff don't work at the DWP to get their jollies, by bullying, they attend the job to bring home the bacon and pay their bills. Most have no personal hostility about claimants, but neither do most care what a claimant's problems might be.

In answer to your question, you should have asked for mandatory reconsideration of the sanction, followed by appeal, and to have claimed Hardship Allowance, in the meantime, but what I would suggest you go now is phone, ask for an escalated call to a manager and do plain it to them. But, it is YOUR responsibility to take measures ho ensure your post is safe, so I don't know how far you will get.

You need to attend a WFI for the benefit yo be reinstated.

Lin

Thank you so much for the kind reply I feel so trapped right now and I'm claustrophobic so you can imagine the panic. I've been really overwhelmed the past year, a family member had cancer and the other has Alzheimers. These are the two people who USED to do the caring and now I'm kind of caring for both of them AND the person I live with. It's easy to miss a letter here and there, especially when you're chasing a hyper 50 year old woman around. :mad:

I understand that it's my responsibility (here comes the but) but this is a one off incident, I've made every other interview I've been asked to go to. Then again as you said the DWP staff have problems of their own.

I took your advice about the appeal. The said I'll have to wait for the interview to take place first before they can do anything for me.

Thanks so much for the help Lin

patman99

OP, if you have a mobile phone, why not ask for a note to be put on the system asking for future WFI appointments to be sent via text.

Also, make sure to inform the Post Office that on no account is the Post person to give the post to this person that you care for, but is to place it in the mailbox provided.

Btw, next time you miss a WFI because the letter got thrown-out, do not admit this to the DWP. Instead, tell them you never received the letter. As they send letters un-recorded, they have no record of whether or not it gets to its destination.

tomtontom

patman99 wrote: »

OP, if you have a mobile phone, why not ask for a note to be put on the system asking for future WFI appointments to be sent via text.

Also, make sure to inform the Post Office that on no account is the Post person to give the post to this person that you care for, but is to place it in the mailbox provided.

Btw, next time you miss a WFI because the letter got thrown-out, do not admit this to the DWP. Instead, tell them you never received the letter. As they send letters un-recorded, they have no record of whether or not it gets to its destination.

As bizarre as it seems official letters are deemed to have been received when sent, irrespective of proof of postage. Many people have been sanctioned for this reason.