Thanks Jobcentre Plus.....not!!

reefoid

reefoid

reefoid

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Southend-on-Sea
I'm so ******angry. Unfortunately my business went under in early November, so for only the second time in my 22 year working life I had to put in a claim for benefits. I'm a single dad with an autistic son and could do with some much needed help.

Put my claim in for JSA and carer's allowance four weeks ago, for the last two weeks I have been phoning them up every other day to chase up, just to be told that both claims are still with a decision maker. They don't seem to have any process for escalating claims and I'm now at the point where the little money I had is almost gone. I've got enough money for the next two days and then I'll be skint. Fortunately my housing and council tax benefit has been approved so at least I know I can pay next month's rent.

Still waiting to hear on my tax credits as well so basically I have my son's DLA and £20 a week child benefit to live on which is just impossible. I've now got a stack of unpaid bills to boot.

The irony is, I can't pay Virgin at the moment, so I suspect they will cut off my phone and internet within the next 24-48 hours. So the people who should be helping me back into work are now going to be hindering my efforts to search for work.

It makes me so angry. They've told me to apply for a crisis loan to see me through, which I guess I'll have to do, but that will be more time spent on the phone and I suspect a trip to a benefits office when my time could be much better spent looking for work.

Unfortunately my family aren't in a position to help me out financially, and its limited as to what my friends can do. I'm applying for any job that seems even mildly suitable, but no joy so far.

Anyway, rant over. Just wanted to get it off my chest.
 
From what I know, when you do finally get paid you'll be paid from the day you claimed. So even though it's a tough patch right now, when the money does come through there will be a fair bit of backpay.
They do seem to make it very difficult for people in genuine need (ie: not work dodgers) though. :(
 
redeye_uk said:
I feel for you - especially with it being so close to Christmas. I hope you they get this sorted asap for you.
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Yeah, Christmas will be very tight, fortunately some friends have invited my son and I round their house for Christmas day, so don't need to worry about a turkey this year!!

Simi said:
From what I know, when you do finally get paid you'll be paid from the day you claimed.
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And that's the one saving grace, I should be able to clear everything when it finally comes through. Just hope its soon.
 
the biggest problem with JCP is that unless your a scummer who has learnt the art of getting benefits from an early age then you dont stand a chance of knowing what exactly you are entitled too and what you can and cant claim. the previous mentioned scummers have it mastered. many turn up to the job centre on there 18th birthdays demanding the very maximum that they know they can receive. they know exactly what to say and exactly how to manipulate everything to get it. its mad


you should definetly ring them up and ask about a crisis loan or grant. they basically can lend or give you money until your benefits start coming through (which you can either pay off with the backpayment they will give you or pay off so much a week) .

definetly the easiest loan you will ever get. can only take a phonecall most the time
 
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This only shows how the benefit system is broken in UK. I know 1 person that lives on his own in a flat in Clapham and he hasn't worked in like 20 years. He even went on holiday to Japan recently. Yes JAPAN - he could afford this even though he lives on benefits alone.

I have had countless letters I had to reply before my JSA was approved last time I was made redundant as they wanted to check everything they could possibly check as I am from one of the EU countries working and living here.
 
You have my deep sympathy over this matter but unfortunately that does not help you much. :confused:

Get down to Job centre today, don't phone or email but go down, tell them the situation and they should help you to fill the forms out there and then for a crises loan and pay you immediately with a giro. Also ask for a none repayable grant if anything urgent is needed and a non-interest repayable loan that is stopped from your benefit at a few pounds per week until repaid. Best of luck for you and your child.

I used to help people many years back with these type of claims and it was always a joy to help the genuine cases but god did it hurt having to help the full time scroungers.
 
Whilst I know it is far from ideal, it might be worth asking to apply for a crisis loan and may at least keep the wolves at bay.

This is an excellent site for advice on claiming disability related benefits and paragraph 2.3 of this factsheet holds information on crisis loans.

http://www.disabilityalliance.org/f41.htm

Good luck and consider getting welfare rights involved if things drag on too much.
 
Someone my dad knows went to CAB to get them to help with filling in all the JSA forms etc.. and he came out with quite a lot in benefits!

When my mum & dad needed help it took ages to sort out and they got bugger all compared to some in easier conditions it appears.

They are still having problems now even though my dad has been back at work for months, the whole system is just such a state.
 
apatia77 said:
This only shows how the benefit system is broken in UK. I know 1 person that lives on his own in a flat in Clapham and he hasn't worked in like 20 years. He even went on holiday to Japan recently. Yes JAPAN - he could afford this even though he lives on benefits alone.
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so what? Are people not allowed holidays now? Flights to japan can be reasonably cheap, as can hotels. Infact i bet you could find more expensive holidays in the uk.
 
Mate tell me about it.

No one will take control of this. It really really bothers me, when you have a query or something you need to chase up, NO ONE can help you with it apart from descision makers.... These people seem not to be a part of reality because they cannot be contacted or talked to. Everyone shrugs you off to them and because they dont seem to exist, your stuck.

I feel really bad for you man, but honestly, the best thing to do is call your local jobcentre, ask who deals with benefits in your area, and call them and insist your a priority, keep insisting.
 
Morba said:
so what? Are people not allowed holidays now? Flights to japan can be reasonably cheap, as can hotels. Infact i bet you could find more expensive holidays in the uk.
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Theres no way to be honest, the flight you'll be hard pressed to find for much less than 800 at the least.
 
ronson49 said:
Mate tell me about it.

No one will take control of this.
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Yeah, that's one of the really annoying things, no-one will take ownership. Spoke to my local JC this morning, all she said was all "we" (meaning the local JC) had to do was get your claim details and pass it to "them" (meaning the claims department). I did point out to her that they are all meant to be part of the same organisation but she didn't seem to be too impressed.

Thanks for your kind words guys, I've calmed down a bit now so feel a bit calmer.
 
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