12+ weeks and still waiting for first JSA payment

CherryBurton

Hello,

I was made redundant in October and went to sign on at the beginning of December. Apparently I was given the wrong forms at the time so the correct forms weren’t submitted until the end of December, but I’m assured that when I finally get paid it will be backdated.

On Monday it will be 13 weeks and I’ve not received a penny. Every fortnight I ask how long it will be and I’m given the same answer every time: no idea. Apparently it was escalated 2 weeks ago but still nothing.

Is there ANYTHING I can do? Can it really take 3 months to be paid? I’m running into hard times now and feel absolutely powerless over the whole situation

[Deleted User]

It shouldn't take that long for JSA I assume you are entitled to JSA ?

poppy12345

CherryBurton wrote: »

Hello,

I was made redundant in October and went to sign on at the beginning of December. Apparently I was given the wrong forms at the time so the correct forms weren’t submitted until the end of December, but I’m assured that when I finally get paid it will be backdated.

On Monday it will be 13 weeks and I’ve not received a penny. Every fortnight I ask how long it will be and I’m given the same answer every time: no idea. Apparently it was escalated 2 weeks ago but still nothing.

Is there ANYTHING I can do? Can it really take 3 months to be paid? I’m running into hard times now and feel absolutely powerless over the whole situation

Not usually no. The only thing you can do is ring DWP and ask to speak to a manager to find out exactly what's going on. Have you recieved any letters? Have you signed on at all yet?

CherryBurton

I!!!8217;m told I!!!8217;m entitled to contribution based JSA, I!!!8217;ve filled in all the forms, I!!!8217;ve signed on every fortnight for 3 months and I!!!8217;m starting to feel fobbed off. I wouldn!!!8217;t mind but the job centre is FAR from where I live and it costs me around £7 every time I have to go and sign on...

CherryBurton

Sorry, no idea what happened to the formatting there!

CherryBurton

Sorry- should have said:

I’m told I’m entitled to contribution based JSA, I’ve filled in all the forms, I’ve signed on every fortnight for 3 months and I’m starting to feel fobbed off. I wouldn’t mind but the job centre is FAR from where I live and it costs me around £7 every time I have to go and sign on...

Alice_Holt

Possibilities:
A). Raise a complaint - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

. Contact your MP and see if S/he can intervene with the DWP

C). Get help from your local CAB / advice agency.

CherryBurton

Thank you for the link- I’ll file a complaint now and take it from there. I don’t know anything about how this all works so great to know I have some recourse.

[Deleted User]

I'd go with Alice's MP idea surprising how they can get the DWP to get a move on.

CherryBurton

I’ll give him a go but to be honest he’s an absolute joke...