Backdated JSA advice

TerryandGaby

Hi, I wonder if you can help me with this.

I was out of work from the 17th of March 2008. Wrongly of me, I felt very ashamed - it was the first time I had been out of work, and therefore the first time I was unable to provide for the household. I tried endlessly to follow up old leads and contacts to get myself a job, but failed. Come the beginning of April, I finally reisgned myself to looking to claim JSA. I had always been brought up to not claim benefits and work for every penny you have, but I literally had none.

So I began my claim, a claim recieved by the Jobcentre Plus on 9th April. At the jobcentre, completing the second portion of my claim, I was told I could backdate my claim from when I was first out of work. I did not know this was possible.

I have since recieved my letter of confirmation, today. Though they have given me NI contribution credits for the backdated period, they believe I have not show good cause for the delay, and so will not recieve any JSA for that period. Having spoken to them on the phone, she wondered aloud why I wouldn't make a claim earlier.

The honest answer is I feel ashamed as it is to claim, and it took a week or two for that stigma to wear off in my mind. I have made conscious efforts to find work, and feel I have been punished for holding off putting a claim in, which I do not understand.

I am going to write a letter asking them to reconsider this decision - has anyone any advice as to what I can say?

healy

To be honest as you knew you could have claimed before and did not I dont think you can really say anything that will make them change their decision. The rules on backdating are quite strict.

sammyjammy

You really are wasting your time, your feelings (genuine as I'm sure they are) don't count as good cause, as Healy says the rules are very strict, save your time and energy for your job hunting, good luck

Sam