Claim Stopped...

[Davey B]

A few weeks back I noticed my JSA benefit payment had not gone into my account. I phoned my local office and they told me they had not received my postal signing-on form for that period even though I had sent it off. I requested a duplicate form along with some spares as there is a history of this local office losing paperwork (mainly due to all paperwork being sent off to another town to be opened before being sent back to the local Jobcentre+ office). I also asked that all of the above be marked on my file to prevent my claim being closed.

My duplicate form arrived a few days later (post to and from the far north of Scotland can be subject to delays) and were duly signed and sent off. I got a call from the local office yesterday saying that they had got my form but that my claim had been stopped by the central office. There was no mention of this when I requested the duplicate forms a week ago.

I was told to make a rapid re-claim which I did that day but the local office can't see me until 24th July, so more delay will be incurred leaving me in a further vulnerable position.

This mess was not my fault yet I'm the one suffering as a result. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding who I can take this further with and if there's any real point in complaining?

Thanks

[emmaf01]

First apply for a crisis loan and reapply for benefit if necessary. Make sure you have money for food/fuel.

Put in a written complaint with times and dates of letters and phonecalls. List times when paperwork has been lost before and appeal any decision to stop benefit.

But first make sure you have money to survive.

[Flagg913]

My girlfriend has had roughly the same problem and now despite it being their fault they won't backdate her..... Something has to be done about them...