Benefit payment gone in early & incorrectly

lkinz

Hi,
Ive checked my bank account this morning and am extremely concerned and worried that The DWP have yet again made a massive mistake with my benefits, having done this before and causing me to have a complete breakdown. And of course it would be a Saturday when you cant speak to anyone!
I claim ESA in the support group, my partner is on my esa claim as he can no longer work due to being my carer, he also claims carers allowance. Usually my ESA is paid on a Monday and has a description ESA followed by a ref. no. However, it was paid yesterday, friday - same amount as normal, but had the description national insurance no. Followed by JSA! I have no idea why, Ive had NO correspondence from The DWP to say that they've moved me to JSA and I can see no reason why they would, my condition has not changed and I've had no forms from ATOS since January. Im so unbelievably worried i cannot settle i cannot contact anyone until monday, im close to tears again and i can see another breakdown on its way. I just need some advice! Help!

HappyMJ

At least you've been paid..That's not something to get worried about it's when you don't get paid when you should be asking questions. Sometimes payments go in early. The description on your bank statement might not match the name of the benefit you are getting...again that's nothing to worry about. Anyway, JSA payments are released when you sign on and pass the activity test for the previous fortnight which you wouldn't have done so I really wouldn't worry that they've done anything to your benefit without telling you. So just wait until Monday give them a ring sometime during the day and they'll clarify things.

lkinz

Hi
Many Thanks for your reply and putting my mind at ease I will phone them on monday. Fingers crossed all is ok. I can relax a bit for our birthday weekend!
Cheers

epitome

You don't have to phone them. This is perfectly normal.

ESA and JSA share the same platform at DWP. When a faster payment is made then DWP have to code the payment as JSA.

Your payment did not go out on its normal release date, the DWP noticed this and fixed whatever had stopped it and then released it early as a faster payment so that you can have your money on time.

I have told people this before on this board, usually they don't believe me and they waste their time and money by calling DWP only to be told exactly this.

See the last one here
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4995952

harveybobbles

ESA payments sometimes show as JSA. Perfectly normal, but annoying.

Nothing to worry about.

banana

You cannot get moved to another benefit without your knowledge .It just isnt possible without copious form filling and signatures.
So why on earth would you assume you had been moved from ESA support group to JSA on the strength of a bank statement?

The explanation given by Epitome is correct and should be a sticky . The method used by DWP to prevent your payment being late is called JSA for short . Its an unfortunate coincidence but its just an indicator, thats all.

Horseunderwater

Epitome is 100% correct OP.