Job Seeking Allowance- HELL!!!!

fantaice

Can anyone help me on this board- for none of the minions employed by the labour government can or is helping. Sorry if I sound angry but I need help! I never applied or received any sort of benefit in my life- and I am glad I don't normally need too- as the procress is an absolute nightmare.......

I left University in 2003 and went straight into a good job- I spent almost 2 full years work there before leaving and relocating to a new part of the country. This was at the beginning of April.

I have since been offered another good job commencing in Mid June- but in the interim I applied for Contribution JSA.

After the going through the whole process I got a nice letter stating that as I had not paid enough Class 1 National Insurance Contributions. How could this be? I was working for two years previous......TURNS OUT I was paying another person's national insurance for her.....as my previous employer got a digit wrong in my national insurance number.....SO

I contacted the Job centre first in person- and without a word spoke to me was handed an income based benefit application form. I outlined the problem and then was given a number to phone......The number rang out for two days.....when I finally got through and explained the situation......she said there was little she could do and that I should contact the inland revenue to sort out the problem.....which I did. They (inland revenue) said that even though my previous employer was using someone's else number....they (inland revenue) were able to see that I had paid my contributions!!!! I told this to the Jobcentre on the phone- they said no....contact the Inland Revenue.........

I paid a visit in person to the Job centre today. I explained my situation and the guy told me to telephone the number which I had been phoning before......I SAID NO and I wasn't leaving until I got to speak to someone......He walked off and chatted to his 3 collegues- one who was eating a bar of chocolate the other reading a paper and the other laying on the desk chatting to both of them.....

He came back and I was given a form to fill out MF47???? and told to come back to the Job Centre tomorrow........AM I BEING MESSED AROUND???


I realise that it would help if I had a P60 but I don't.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? ANYONE HAVE ANY VIEWS ON THIS?

mrcow

Obviously I don't know what number you've been given to call, but have you tried the NI Contributions Office?

National Insurance Contributions Office
Benton Park View
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE98 1NG

Tel 0845 915 5996

Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
Sat 8am-4pm

I had a problem earlier this year with my NI and they were really helpful.....

....it may be worth a go?

Edit: Sorry should have added that you obviously need to get this sorted out ASAP, as it will have affected your contributions towards your state pension too.

CIS

Jobcenter wont help until NICO changes your NI record to properly record the contributions. The jobcenter have no access to NIRS (National Insurance Recording System) to do that (not that you could trust them to)

When I worked for DWP I saw a few cases where records had been credited wrongly , these where usually changed quite quickly by NICO without problems.

Also try IR Longbenton switchboard 0191 2135000

Ted_Hutchinson

It also helps sometimes to contact your MP as they will intervene when "natural justice" situation demand a more humanitarian interpretation of procedures. faxyourmp

clazza_3

If you have your P60's for the two tax years you worked, take them with you to the Jobcentre. This can speed the process up.

Savvy_Sue

You may not have a P60 for the tax year that's just ended, but presumably you have a P45 from your last job? That would serve the same function, would it not?

Fran

If you don't get anywhere with the above, your Citizens Advice Bureau can negotiate on your behalf, it may be quicker than MP whose office might be busy and take a while to get back to you or get anything done.

Paul_Varjak

I think you will have to go with the Income-based JSA until the problem is sorted out. Being Income-Related, this will mean you don't pay Council Tax, dental fees, prescriptions etc. - so make best use of it!

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago and it took months to sort out. In fact, I was told (categorically) not to write a letter for several months about the problem as they can only 'fix' these problems at certain times of year, and that if I did write the letter early it would just get thrown away!

Fran

Paul_Varjak wrote:

I think you will have to go with the Income-based JSA until the problem is sorted out. Being Income-Related, this will mean you don't pay Council Tax, dental fees, prescriptions etc. - so make best use of it!

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago and it took months to sort out. In fact, I was told (categorically) not to write a letter for several months about the problem as they can only 'fix' these problems at certain times of year, and that if I did write the letter early it would just get thrown away!

I would definitely get advice from C.A.B. either by phone or call in, because though it might be ok claiming Income-based JSA (and it's the same amount) with the "perks", once they sort it out they might say that you owe something back because in fact you were entitled to contribution-based (this is only speculation).

Paul that's terrible that it took months to sort out. There are time limits in which they should make decisions, so anyone in this position should check what they are and get support (C.A.B./M.P for instance). Also you should use the DWP complaints procedure to complain to the highest level when treated like this.

fantaice

Guys and Girls thanks very much for your views opinions.....

As regards the P60 I am unable to get my hands on it....

I payed another Visit to my Jobcentre Yesterday determined to speak to someone and not be fobbed off with another telephone number....

Suprisingly today there was no problems in speaking to some one....Was this something to do with the fact that a MP was there.....with her minions and several photographers laughing and snapping away.......

Anyway- the advisor showed me the screen of my details and although she tried to hide it from me- I saw at the bottom something like "DO NOT PAY ANY CLAIM UNTIL OFFICAL CONFIRMINATION IS RECEIVED FROM THE INLAND REVENUE RE NATIONAL INSURANCE- REGARDLESS OF WHAT CLAIMANT SAYS"

The advisor then asked me to fill out an Income Based Application....she said by the time the various departments sort out the Contribution one it would be the end of June.....

So I filled out the form.....I have to ring them on Monday....she assures me a cheque will be sent out next week.......

I'll give it one last chance- if I don't get any further...then the CAB will get a visit......

Savvy_Sue

fantaice wrote:

As regards the P60 I am unable to get my hands on it....

Unless you were employed at the end of the tax year, your ex-employer isn't obliged to give you one. If you were working at the end of tax year, I believe they are. I'm sure Inland Revenue website (whatever it's called now) will confirm that.

However, whenever you stopped working you should have been given a P45. And that should have your NI number on it, as used by your employer. And it should show what your gross pay was in the tax year when you finished working, what tax you'd paid, what NI conts you had paid and what NI conts your employer had paid.

You say you stopped working in that job at the beginning of April, the crucial question is the date of your last pay date. If before the end of the tax year, no P60. If after the end of the tax year, P60. Either way, P45.

Does that make sense?

PS these are legal requirements I'm talking about, not options if the employer feels like it!