Problem with Job Seekers Allowance

mikechallis · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:19

I know there have been threads regarding this in the past but wasn't sure about the rules on reopening them. Anyway.... I was just wondering if anyone else is having problems with their application for job seekers allowance? I first phoned to apply about 8 weeks ago (after I finally swallowed my pride) and still have had no money. I have called several times since to enquire about my claim but are told the same thing every time (they don't know when it will be complete). I may just be being impatient, however, I have now found a job so will be closing my claim. Im hoping I am owed at least a small amount of money!

baked188 · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:20

They should cough up for the 8 weeks, this happened to me but was over 11 weeks! completly pathetic i think. they made the payment 2 weeks after i started work.

V4NT0M · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:24

As long as your application is successful they will backpay the money. Seems like some councils may be slower than others. You could always go in to your local job centre and speak to someone in person, it's much easier to motivate someone to give a dam if you're face to face.

mikechallis · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:29

I've tried that but was told that they have nothing to do with the application process. It is all done in one place! It just seems a bit stupid to me that a service is offered to aid people who are looking for work that takes longer to process than it takes someone to find a job!

GAC · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:43

wait till you ask them in the jobcenter about the £5.2 billion of training the gov keeps harping on about. the only training they do is basic form filling and cv writting.

as for actualy re-training you have to find that yourself, and dont ask about careers advice as they will look at you like your speaking jibberish.

marc2003 · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:51

something's not right there???

normally you ring up and they do your claim over the phone. then they arrange an appointment at your local job centre (usually within a week) and you go in with your p45 and some id and you go through a bit more paperwork. you then get a time/date to sign on in the office every 2 weeks. you shouldn't be kept hanging around like you have..... :confused:

mikechallis · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:54

marc2003 said:
something's not right there???

normally you ring up and they do your claim over the phone. then they arrange an appointment at your local job centre (usually within a week) and you go in with your p45 and some id and you go through a bit more paperwork. you then get a time/date to sign on in the office every 2 weeks. you shouldn't be kept hanging around like you have.....

Sorry, forgot to mention that i've been signing on for about 7 weeks.

apatia77 · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:55

You just have to chill, it takes time for the application to be processed(especially since lately they have more people trying to claim JSA). Even though you found a new job you are still entitled and will be paid for the 8weeks that you did not work.

Deleted member 651465 · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:56

GAC said:
wait till you ask them in the jobcenter about the £5.2 billion of training the gov keeps harping on about. the only training they do is basic form filling and cv writting.

as for actualy re-training you have to find that yourself, and dont ask about careers advice as they will look at you like your speaking jibberish.

I have to back this up.

I too had to claim for a month or so when I got made redundant a few years ago. Anyway, I asked about career advice and was told to apply for as many places as possible. Frankly I felt like they were wasting my time..

Finally, when asked who I could apply to (besides those I'd already tried) they just looked at me blankly and after an awkward 10 minutes they came up with "are you interested in retail? Wilkinsons is taking on.."

Good on you for getting a job.

bledd · 17 Aug 2009 at 11:57

JSA & the councils are a complete joke, none of the information is shared between any of the agencies, and many of them use completetly different references, even in the same companies. you think it would all be accessable just through your NI number.

oh no, that would make things too simple.

the whole system is a complete mess.

also, to get the dole, IMO, you should have to pass a drugs test. if you show up positive, then you don't get a dime

muzzler · 17 Aug 2009 at 12:35

Yep it's all a bit of a farcical experience,
I'm also waiting for my jsa calim to come back- going from ni based jsa to income based.
I also volunteered for their steps to work self employment program which has been a complete joke.

V4NT0M · 17 Aug 2009 at 12:59

To be honest the application process is only the beginning of a terrible farce, I assume you've gone to sign and spent just a minute or so at your appointment? They just get you to sign a piece of paper and send you on your way, what's the point in even going there?

If you somehow manage to miss a signing on appointment or a review they send off your case to a "decision maker" and they decide whether you should have to re-apply for JSA, so you have to fill out all the forms again, they have to process all that. But the worst part is that all that achieves is that you miss 1 day of JSA I'm sure the government just spent about that much to make a decision and process the new application, really what is the frigging point.

dirtydog · 17 Aug 2009 at 13:18

Skyfall said:
As long as your application is successful they will backpay the money. Seems like some councils may be slower than others. You could always go in to your local job centre and speak to someone in person, it's much easier to motivate someone to give a dam if you're face to face.

JSA isn't paid by the council, it's paid through the DWP.

Problem with Job Seekers Allowance

Deleted member 651465

Deleted member 651465