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Benefits stopped because I didn't take a job.


Georgec
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Hello, I need some advice.

 

I'm currently on JSA and some time ago at the Job Centre I found (but not applied for) a job from one of the job points and decided to take it to the desks for more information; it must have been when I went to sign-on.

 

This morning I got a letter from the job centre telling me that becaise I didn't apply for a job they will not pay me JSA for a whole month.

 

I'm confused.

 

They told me that they sent me a letter asking me why I didn't take this job. I got no letter.

 

They asked me a while back, however, what happened to a certain job I applied for. I told them I had lost the job details and the matter was not brought-up. Another time was when the employer was only accepting CV applications over the internet. I had accidentally deleted my elctronic CV from my email inbox and so couldn't apply. I told the Job centre this and the matter was not brought-up.

 

So this morning I got this letter. They named the job in question but I can't remember applying for it. Usually, I find a job, take it to the desk for further details and then it gets put on record as a job I want to take.

 

This is not true for me. I won't take a job unless I've weighed up the pros and cons (i.e. whether it is suitable for me to do, whether it is in my capability).

 

So they've stopped my benefits because I didn't apply for this job.

 

What advice can I get?

 

Thanks.

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I'm quite angry about this actually because I am always looking for work and the Job centre are still not satisfied with that. There are some people who don't look for work at all; at least I'm looking.

 

Now they're stopping my benefits. Are they doing this on purpose?

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I'm quite angry about this actually because I am always looking for work and the Job centre are still not satisfied with that. There are some people who don't look for work at all; at least I'm looking.

 

Now they're stopping my benefits. Are they doing this on purpose?

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will need to pick up a fuss, ask them to confirm that the job in question was suitable and in the mean time you will need to live on something so what will you be getting in the meantime and you have every right to be angry. Give em grief..

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You will need to pick up a fuss, ask them to confirm that the job in question was suitable and in the mean time you will need to live on something so what will you be getting in the meantime and you have every right to be angry. Give em grief..

 

I shall ask them that. I'm going to the CAB on Monday anyway.

 

I'll have to live off my monthly rent. I've got no other option in the meantime. My landlady isn't going to be very happy about that. :Cry:

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Another thing. I can't remember applying for this job, and it could have been one of the vacancies which I was informed by the employer that it had aleady been taken. The job centre has a habit of not updating to their vacancies, or employers often don't tell the job centre that the job is no longer available. It could have been that. But I can't prove any of this.

 

I wondering if I've actually got a good case or not.

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Another thing. I can't remember applying for this job, and it could have been one of the vacancies which I was informed by the employer that it had aleady been taken. The job centre has a habit of not updating to their vacancies, or employers often don't tell the job centre that the job is no longer available. It could have been that. But I can't prove any of this.

 

I wondering if I've actually got a good case or not.

If your Jobseeker's Allowance is stopped, it has a knock on effect of stopping your Housing Benefit. Hours of unproductive time then has to be spent sorting out the mess that is not of your making. More costs to the taxpayer.

 

If benefit stops, always appeal to a Tribunal.

 

Favourite grounds for stopping money, is 'not actively seeking work', at least in 'their' opinion.

 

You are probably fully compliant with the law, so check, or seek legal advice.

 

The relevant legislation is The Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996 (Statutory Instrument 1996 No 207)

 

extlink.gifThe Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996

 

and in particular Section 18 - Steps to be taken by persons actively seeking employment

 

extlink.gifThe Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996

 

You are required in any one week to take more than one step (ie two) and the steps to be seen to be taking are laid down in law.

 

(1) For the purposes of section 7(1) (actively seeking employment) a person shall be expected to have to take more than one step on one occasion in any week unless taking one step on one occasion is all that it is reasonable for that person to do in that week.

 

(2) Steps which it is reasonable for a person to be expected to have to take in any week include —

(a) oral or written applications (or both) for employment made to persons-

(i) who have advertised the availability of employment; or

(ii) who appear to be in a position to offer employment;

(b) seeking information on the availability of employment from-

(i) advertisements;

(ii) persons who have placed advertisements which indicate the availability of employment;

(iii) employment agencies and employment businesses;

(iv) employers;

© registration with an employment agency or employment business;

(d) appointment of a third party to assist the person in question in finding employment;

(e) seeking specialist advice, following referral by an employment officer, on how to improve the prospects of securing employment having regard to that person's needs and in particular in relation to any mental or physical limitations of that person;

(f) drawing up a curriculum vitae;

(g) seeking a reference or testimonial from a previous employer;

(h) drawing up a list of employers who may be able to offer employment to him with a view to seeking information from them on the availability of employment;

(i) seeking information about employers who may be able to offer employment to him;

(j) seeking information on an occupation with a view to securing employment in that occupation.

 

If you have checked out a job advertisement in the local paper, inquired about a job at an employment agency, spoken with an employer, fiddled around with your CV, then you have more than met the requirement that week to be seen as actively seeking work.

 

A booklet available from Job Centres, also downloadable off the net, entitled While claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, tells you in non-legal terms, what you have to do to be actively seeking work. [Ref No. WCJSAA5JP version 1/06 ISBN: 1-84388-709-6]

 

'You will normally be expected to take at least three steps each week while you are getting Jobseeker's Allowance. This could include drawing up a CV – a short description of you and your work experience, skills and qualifications. It could also include more direct jobseeking activities like contacting employers.'

 

The booklet is incorrect when it says you have to take at least three steps. You are compliant with the law if you take more than one step, and the steps are defined, in any one week. But apart from this one glaring error, it gives a general idea of what you have to do to be seen as 'actively seeking work'.

 

Hope this helps, best regards,

Paul.

I'm not a qualified welfare rights adviser, but I'm planning on becoming one. I'm no substitute for more competent advice from trained CAB and welfare rights workers - [URL="http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/benefits-tax-credits-minimum/127741-benefits-advice.html"]see this post[/URL] by Joa, great advice and links! I've been running a Crisis Loan campaign and help since Jan 2007 . See my annotations c/o "theyworkforyou". I'm also currently interested by the recent DWP Medical Services reform and the effect this is having on valid claims, seriously - someone needs to be keeping a suicide count.

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If your Jobseeker's Allowance is stopped, it has a knock on effect of stopping your Housing Benefit. Hours of unproductive time then has to be spent sorting out the mess that is not of your making. More costs to the taxpayer.

 

Right. More hassle.

 

I'm taking all the steps to ensure I'm looking for work. I'm even doing voluntary work to show amongst other things that I'm doing something to find work. I write down everythign I do so I don't think that they think that I'm not doing enough to look for work.

 

They just believe that I didn't take the job vacancy sometime ago and that I didn't have sufficient grounds for not taking it. They haven't told me what these "grounds" were. My guess is that I either lost the vacancy or the vacancy had already been taken, or the job was not suitable after further inquiries, or that they were only accepting on-line applications.

 

It could have been any number of reasons. It seems that they have the upperhand in this because they can just say "he had no good reason".

 

My reasons for not applying for this job - whatever the job was I cannot now remember - are genuine. I genuinely had a reason for not applying for it. :Cry:

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Does anyone know about "Hardship Allowance"?

 

This allows a person to claim it if in the case of sanctions being applied on their JSA allowance. But you have to fall into a certain category to get it.

 

Any suggestions?

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Hello Georgec and welcome to CAG.

 

I don't know the exact answer to your question/s, but have you tried the DWP website or Citizens Advice's? They both have a lot of information on benefits while you're waiting for replies.

 

HB

Illegitimi non carborundum

 

 

 

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Hello Georgec and welcome to CAG.

 

I don't know the exact answer to your question/s, but have you tried the DWP website or Citizens Advice's? They both have a lot of information on benefits while you're waiting for replies.

 

HB

 

Hello Honeybee13

 

I'll be seeing the CAB on Monday about this matter. JSA is a lifeline for me; without it I could lose my home, my dog including my motivation to find work. The letter I got from them stated that they would not pay me any benefits from June and from July. I assume it implies I will need to make a fresh JSA claim after July.

 

You do your best to look for work and then they go and do something like this. :evil:

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Hello Honeybee13

 

I'll be seeing the CAB on Monday about this matter. JSA is a lifeline for me; without it I could lose my home, my dog including my motivation to find work. The letter I got from them stated that they would not pay me any benefits from June and from July. I assume it implies I will need to make a fresh JSA claim after July.

 

You do your best to look for work and then they go and do something like this. :evil:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If its affecting your health because you have no money you might consider going to the doctors..

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If its affecting your health because you have no money you might consider going to the doctors..

 

I have aspergers but I'm not diagnosed apart from "maladjusted" by my previous doctor.

 

My stepdad considered going to the doctors; he's on that as well because the DWP are taking him to court over the "fact" that he had large sums of money whilst claiming JSA over a period of three years. Actually, the St Helens council have pledged that my stepdad didn't have that money - there's no evidence - whilst claiming JSA and now the DWP are reviewing the case but still going ahead with the tribunal stuff. It's just crazy.

 

The DWP have lost their marbles! They're going to lose 10s of thousands of pounds if they lose the case, which according to my stepdad's solicitor they will do.

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This is astounding! I can fully understand that people have to take steps to show they are seeking work, also that if you don't you get your benefit sanctioned but how on earth can they take every penny away from you???

 

No money = no food surely that cannot be allowed in 2010?

:)IF YOU ARE BORED WITH LITTLE TO DO:)

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SKY TV and the penalty charge - how far will it go?

 

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IF I CAN HELP, I WILL, IF I DO, THEN PLEASE CLICK ON THE SCALES ON THE LEFT

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This is astounding! I can fully understand that people have to take steps to show they are seeking work, also that if you don't you get your benefit sanctioned but how on earth can they take every penny away from you???

 

No money = no food surely that cannot be allowed in 2010?

 

Actually, it all depends upon their contract. When I signed up for JSA the contract stipulated that I should show actively that I am looking for work. My sister however lost her job in January and when she signed up for JSA she was not given the contract, and so consequently she doesn't have to prove she's looking for work. I enquired about this anomalie some time ago and apparently you don't have to have a contract; it all depends upon the person you sign-up with on the day.

 

If my JSA is pulled I will just go on the sick, but I will still look for work.

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Hi George. We have an aspergers expert, I'll send him a PM and see if he has any comments.

 

HB

 

If you don't mind, Honeybee13. That would be great! ;)

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Its a crazy system..

 

I'm starting to realise that now. I've had problems with the DWP in the past and over the years I have heard some crazy stories about people's dealings with the DWP. It appears to be getting worse.

 

Apparently, all the departments get a memo from Whitehall telling them to make cuts wherever they can find them, even if it means cutting people's benefits for stupid stuff like this. I'm well aware of people abusing the benefits system (i.e. people who get their dole and then squander it on drugs and alcohol and so forth) but for some of us it is a lifeline; we need that money to pay for our rent, for food and even to pay for things which help us find work and apply for jobs.

 

It was only a month ago that I was attending a course on how to improve my CV and this week I'll be starting voluntary work helping disabled people get fit and eat more healthily.

 

It is a crazy badly thought-out system.

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My son was mugged last Friday after drawing out his JSA. He reported it to the Police and went back to Job Seekers plus to apply for a crisis loan as he had no money for food or electric. They refused him any help. I got a phone call Monday from him asking if he can come to mine for something to eat as he had not ate since Thursday. The system stinks sometimes. How is he suppose to last for two weeks without food, electric and hot water?

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My son was mugged last Friday after drawing out his JSA. He reported it to the Police and went back to Job Seekers plus to apply for a crisis loan as he had no money for food or electric. They refused him any help. I got a phone call Monday from him asking if he can come to mine for something to eat as he had not ate since Thursday. The system stinks sometimes. How is he suppose to last for two weeks without food, electric and hot water?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In cases like this prison seems an good option, as least you get fed there..

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Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee13 viewpost.gif

Hi George. We have an aspergers expert, I'll send him a PM and see if he has any comments.

 

HB

 

If you don't mind, Honeybee13. That would be great! ;)
Hi George, I don't presume to be any kind of an expert or the person referred to by HB, however I thought that you may be interested to try a good on-line test for AS.

 

I had long suspected (about 10 years or so) that I had Asperger Syndrome. When I heard of Lord Freud's plans for welfare reform (in 2007) when he was advisor to the Government I became really scared of losing my benefits if I didn't get a proper diagnosis to prove to the DWP that I wasn't a "malade imaginaire" faking depression. I took this test and got a high score, which motivated me to ask my G.P. for a psychiatric referral to have an examination for AS. This turned out well for me because when my last IB renewal came up, the DWP decided to sign me off without having to take the dreaded Atosh medical.

Take The AQ Test

Psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen and his colleagues at Cambridge's Autism Research Centre have created the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, or AQ, as a measure of the extent of autistic traits in adults. In the first major trial using the test, the average score in the control group was 16.4. Eighty percent of those diagnosed with autism or a related disorder scored 32 or higher. The test is not a means for making a diagnosis, however, and many who score above 32 and even meet the diagnostic criteria for mild autism or Asperger's report no difficulty functioning in their everyday lives.

Wired 9.12: Take The AQ Test

 

Kindest regards and good luck,

 

Paul.

I'm not a qualified welfare rights adviser, but I'm planning on becoming one. I'm no substitute for more competent advice from trained CAB and welfare rights workers - [URL="http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/benefits-tax-credits-minimum/127741-benefits-advice.html"]see this post[/URL] by Joa, great advice and links! I've been running a Crisis Loan campaign and help since Jan 2007 . See my annotations c/o "theyworkforyou". I'm also currently interested by the recent DWP Medical Services reform and the effect this is having on valid claims, seriously - someone needs to be keeping a suicide count.

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My son was mugged last Friday after drawing out his JSA. He reported it to the Police and went back to Job Seekers plus to apply for a crisis loan as he had no money for food or electric. They refused him any help. I got a phone call Monday from him asking if he can come to mine for something to eat as he had not ate since Thursday. The system stinks sometimes. How is he suppose to last for two weeks without food, electric and hot water?
Unless there was some other (undisclosed in your post) reason for the refusal of a CL, then they have acted unlawfully because this fits the "emergency or a disaster" criteria perfectly.

 

Could there have possibly been some other reason, e.g. he's already had 3 "CLs for living expenses" (not including alignments to benefits or first wages) within a 12 month rolling period, or, he has exceeded the maximum amount of permitted Social Fund debt i.e. £1500.? Ask what reason they gave him. He should have another try but asking for the name of the person on the phone, they're supposed to send their reasons for refusal by post within 2-3 days - this is crucial evidence to use in a JCP reconsideration or Independent Inspector's Review.

(Incidentally, the claimant doesn't even have to report the incident to the police to obtain a crime number, this is one of the many myths surrounding Crisis Loans - just thought I'd mention this in case).

 

The guidelines and regulations for Decision Makers and Independent Inspectors can be found here.

 

Kindest regards,

Paul.

I'm not a qualified welfare rights adviser, but I'm planning on becoming one. I'm no substitute for more competent advice from trained CAB and welfare rights workers - [URL="http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/benefits-tax-credits-minimum/127741-benefits-advice.html"]see this post[/URL] by Joa, great advice and links! I've been running a Crisis Loan campaign and help since Jan 2007 . See my annotations c/o "theyworkforyou". I'm also currently interested by the recent DWP Medical Services reform and the effect this is having on valid claims, seriously - someone needs to be keeping a suicide count.

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