No response to a request for a "Statement of Reasons"

[abonae]

Hi

 

I was refused a backdating claim for JSA and I asked for a statement of reasons. This was about 8 weeks ago and, despite a follow-up letter, I have received no response from the Jobcentre.

 

What routes do I have to force the matter?

 

Thanks

 

Abo

[ErikaPNP]

The jobcentre don't make decisions on JSA backdating, though they ought to have forwarded your letter to the correct place. Have you made any enquiries to see if the Benefit Delivery Centre have received your letter? (the address and phone number will be on the letter you received advising you of their decision not to backdate).

 

I'd advise to write a further letter to the Benefit Delivery Centre asking for a statement of reasons. Explain that you have sent two letters previously via the Jobcentre and have had no response to date therefore you would like them to treat this letter as both a further request for the information and a complaint. Highlight that in accordance with regulation 28 of the Social Security and Child Support (Decision and Appeals) regulations 1999, they have 14 days to provide the statement of reasons from the date of receipt of the request for it.

 

Take the letter to the jobcentre and ask them to forward it by internal mail to the benefit delivery centre. Ask for a receipt. Also ask them to sign and date a photocopy of your letter and mark it "original received" along with the jobcentre stamp. You will then have verification that an "appropriate office" has received your letter, should they still not respond to you and you wish to take your complaint further.

[abonae]

Erika

 

I did indeed write to the BDC, not the Jobcentre. I have checked that the letters were received - the Jobcebtre people can access some the the BDC systems - and the systems showed that they were both received ok.

 

I telephoned yesterday and was called back with the promise that I would receive the reasons from them by post within 2-3 days.

 

If no response, I will complain and refer to the legislation you mentioned above.

 

Thanks

Abo