My JSA Nightmare

[DaveOMac]

The whole JSA system is completely buggered! I had been working my arse off for the last 10 years, paying tax and National Insurance into this flawed system which today has now screwed me over like never before.

Back in April I had to leave my position in an IT company due to major debt and finally loosing the house. I had no choice but to move to Norwich and after discussions with my bosses the commute alone (over 90 odd miles) would not be "financially" vaiable for me so we agreed for me to go.

After I moved, I got in contact with the Jobseekers and applied, had the appointment and when asked why I left I gave a truthful account. Of course the JSA had to check this with my ex-employer and after 5 weeks of waiting I finally got a letter through stating that my claim had been accepted! YAY! I was adwarded £74.00 per week in total for both me and my partner (absolute joke) but I was happy as better than nothing.

Today I should have been paid the JSA into my account but when checked there was no payment, I thought maybe due to it was a bank-holiday in Northern Ireland this week it may have affected the payment date but phoned just to make sure. After waiting 10 minutes on hold I was told by the lovely payments people that my payment had not been made as a new decision was made and from 4th July I should not get JSA as I left my job voluntarily!!

I called the Job Center straight away as was told that a new decision was made and I will not be able to get any JSA payments till NOVEMBER!! :-s I can appeal the decision (which I am) but for now I will recieve no payments but they still want me to go down and sign-on fortnightly - what is the ruddy point?

Best bit of it all is I was not informed of the new decision by letter yet, Also when I went to sign on on monday I was not told!! Due to this decision I can also not get a crisis loan and can't apply for a hardship allowance for another 2 weeks. When I ask why it was explained to me that this sanction is basically a way of punishing me! (Like losing a job, house and everything isn't punishment enough) and to give a cris loan etc would undermine the sanction! WTF!!!!

I have to go down the Job Centre this afternoon to see someone to fill in an appeal form and will most likely get "excorted" out of the bulding when i kick off.

The system has let me down, if I could I would ask for the percentage of my N.I and Tax that i have paid towards for this shit system.

[DaveOMac]

i thought I would put this update on, well its almost been a week and there still nothing has been done about this. I went down the jobcentre and filled in my appeal forms etc. They were faxed over that day but are still sitting on someones desk to be looked over! While I was down I was given a Hardship Allowance form to fill in and send off, which has been done. Unfortunately I will not hear a reply back from this for another 4-6 weeks!! I got in contact with the CAB and spoke to someone and the only thing they could advise was to "keep hounding them" which i have. I have also sent a letter to my local MP asking for him to look at the system, look at this case and pleading for help. I still can not apply for a crisis loan or still getting any financial aid from the government while my case is looked at. It has now come down to the point where I had to send my partner and step-son off to her parents as I can no longer afford to support them. This system needs to change pretty quick as there are a lot of honest, hard-working people out there suffering like me because of this flawed system while others get everything they want. I am even more angry and depressed than ever. Hopefully soon my luck will turn for the better and actually get a job I have applied for, then they can take there miserable JSA payment and there system and shove it where the sun don't shine. Even tho they will still be on my arse wanting my N.I. contributions.

[scrounger]

Originally Posted by DaveOMac

After I moved, I got in contact with the Jobseekers and applied, had the appointment and when asked why I left I gave a truthful account. Of course the JSA had to check this with my ex-employer and after 5 weeks of waiting I finally got a letter through stating that my claim had been accepted! YAY! I was adwarded £74.00 per week in total for both me and my partner (absolute joke) but I was happy as better than nothing.

Today I should have been paid the JSA into my account but when checked there was no payment, I thought maybe due to it was a bank-holiday in Northern Ireland this week it may have affected the payment date but phoned just to make sure. After waiting 10 minutes on hold I was told by the lovely payments people that my payment had not been made as a new decision was made and from 4th July I should not get JSA as I left my job voluntarily!!

The same thing happened to me when I quit my job. They paid me for 2 weeks and then they stopped it saying that the decision maker had decided I had quit my job and wasn't eligible.

I think they pay you until they decide whether you are eligible for it. They don't ask for the initial payments back, but it does create a false impression that you are going to be allowed the benefit long term.

In my case I did quit my job, although there were mitigating factors. I was expecting to be sanctioned for it so I wasn't too bothered.

Hint: ESA just requires a GP's note and I believe it will be paid regardless of whether you quit your previous job or not.