JSA Stopped - Appeal Made - Appeal Succesful But Result Not Disclosed

[forge]

Sorry Typo in Title (Should Read Not Disclosed)

Please could someone advise me on a JSA matter.

The situation arose after I was fired from my job. I was able to claim job seekers allowance for many months before they looked into the reasons behind my employment and stopped my benefits.

I launched an appeal with the help of my local CAB. The appeal caused the authorities to write to my former employer for more information. My former employer replied in terms that favoured my argument (Stating 'No' to the question which related to the reason my benefits were stopped').

The length of time my JSA was initially suspended was for 6 months, and running low on money I stopped pursuing my case.

When I called in at the Job Centre just before the 6 months was up, I sat down with an advisor who said they would backdate my claim by a couple of days. Being honest, I informed the advisor that it couldn't be backdated because of my 6 month ban and was told that the initial ban had been reduced by a significant amount.

I had received no notification of the reduced length of my JSA ban and could have been claiming benefits for quite a few months.

Finally - what I would like to know ...

* Are they able to come to a decision on the appeal and not notify me?
* Is there any chance I could claim any of the lost benefits?

Any help or advice would be gratefully received.

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[emmaf01]

What did your CAB advisor say?

[chaplinsbabe]

i know that back in 2006 when i had to claim JSA, you could back date a claim by 3 months but i dont know if this still applies. however if they made a decision on your claim and didnt inform you then i would certainly ask about doing so on these grounds

[forgottenone]

I was able to claim job seekers allowance for many months before they looked into the reasons behind my employment and stopped my benefits

.

So, in other words you never disclosed at the time of making your claim why you left your last job?

and running low on money I stopped pursuing my case.

Far as I know it costs nothing to lodge an appeal.

You see, the problem you are really facing here is because you appear not to have told them at the JC when you applied why you left your last job.

Because, in which case, the DWP is doing everything correctly. As you failed to disclose critical information - it is on a JSA application form, been on them for yonks whether on the old or new system - I think it may be difficult arguing with them on these grounds. That's just my opinion, however. Not to be taken as red. But ... your situation is pretty unusual but not uncommon I'd imagine.

[emmaf01]

The problem generally in this sort of situation is, while you are waiting for your appeal to be decided, the DWP puts you on a reduced level of benefit. And the appeal may not be decided for perhaps six months.

I have been in this situation and trying to survive for six months on in my case approximately £25 per week is incredibly difficult if not impossible.

So the DWP don't rush to get your appeal sorted, and all of a sudden the appeal gets abandoned because it is better to find ANY job so you can eat.

May be the OP didn't fully disclose to the DWP circumstances, or maybe they gave their version and someone later disagreed with that. But making people suffer until they cave in is a pity poor state of affairs for a government agency. But that's many people's experience of the DWP.