Switching to Income based JSA via JS3 problems :/

[Techsture]

I got a letter 3 weeks ago saying that i had now had 182days on contribution based JSA and now it was being stopped and that I could contact their office to apply for Income based.

I rang the Nottingham Jobcentreplus the guy was very helpful explained it was a simple procedure and a formality and they sent me a JS3 form out the next day. so far so good.....

I filled in and returned the JS3 the next day, After about a week i had a letter from the County council saying I was no longer in receipt of JSA and my housing benefit and council tax benefit had been stopped.

This paniced me so i rang Nottingham again, The guy on the other end put me on hold whilst he checked for my form, He said he couldnt find it but that didnt mean it wasn't there as they had a large "backlog", he said I would be called back on my house phone that day. This was a Friday and no call was received so I had to wait till Moday to ring them again.

I rang again on Monday and the guy awnsering this time said that it still hadn't been processed but that they would write to me in the next day or so to confirm everything was ok. He also promised a callback from a manager to confirm. The callback didnt happen again.

Wednesday that week was my normal signing day, I signed on as normal and asked the staff there if they could check if my claim had gone through ok. They said no it hadn't and advised me to ring Nottingham right there and then as it looked like it could delay my payment. I rang Nottingham and again was promised a callback I mentioned the last two times i had been promised one it hadn't happened. The guy on the other end was very rude and abrupt saying "It wasn't his problem"

I got a letter On the Friday stating the same as my letter i had recieved 3 weeks ago, that I had 182 days contribution based and it had run out etc, I rang Nottingham and was told "Someone will ring you back in 2 hours i promise" It didnt happen.

So here we are on Monday, Today is the day my benefit should have been paid it is not in my bank, I have just had a new council tax bill and my cheque to pay my rent arived today but only covers up to 2nd July with my landlord coming today to pick it up :/

I rang them again and spoke to Nottingham first thing this morning, I stressed how upset i was at not being rang back as promised and the guy was downright rude I asked who I could complain to, and he said the manager would be ringing me today I could complain to him, I said i doubted it would happen as per the last 4 times and asked for a name to send a written complaint, again he was rude and said "talk to the manager when he rings you"

So as it stands i'm stuck, I can't get Nottingham to ring me back as they constantly promise, I have no idea what the hold up is, or if they even have my completed form. And they popint blank refuse to give me a name to complain to I have two pounds left of Electric left before i go into darkness, im running out of food, my landlord coming round for rent that isn't there, a large council tax bill and everything is turning to s***

What can i do? If i go to the independent case examiner service it could take weeks, surely there must be a standard of service agreement somewhere where they must honor their promise of ringing you back?? I just want to know whats goin on and what i can do my end to sort it out.

Im at my wits end.

[emmaf01]

I really hope you are able to get on the net still.

I would say to go into your local jobcentre tomorrow. Ask for a crisis loan because you have no electricity or food. Explain how many times you have rung Nottingham, your housing benefit stopping. They obviously have a record of you taking the JSA3 into them?

This is their mistake- ask to see the supervisor/manager at your local jobcentre. Take in all your letters. Ask them to ring Nottingham and you will sit in the jobcentre and wait all day if you have to.

This can get sorted out. Ring or visit your council, explain and reapply for housing/council tax benefit if necessary.

[The Plough]

When you ring them next advise them at the start of the call that you are recording it, ( even if you are not) ask them for their name ( this will be fake or an ID number) and which department or building they work in. tell them this is so you can keep track of who you are discussing your case with. If they do mind then hang up and try again until you get someone who doesn't mind that will usually be the person who does their job well and has nothing to hide from.

You may even get a full run down of the true status of your benefits.