Ingeus

[louise2012]

I recently started with people plus and so far I'm not finding it helpful at all at the moment.

[Tj rodgers]

Yes they are our local provider - we also have a small ingeus office in a side room at an internet cafe - they mainly have people who were in the esa support group long term and have been moved to wrag group so i doubt they will be closing - i was with standguide which changed to A4e then Avanta an since i finished it has changed to people plus

[Kxo]

I think I posted her a few weeks ago saying that my payment wasn't in my bank account because the jobcentre "misplaced" my fit note, so I had to go back to my GP, get a replacement, hand it into the jobcentre and wait a few days to be paid.

 

This morning, I checked my account, expecting to see my payment, but it's not there. I get a letter in saying I won't be paid from the 11th of March until the 5/6th of April because I "failed to comply" even though I filled out the JSA28 form and have been handing in fit notes for the past two months. I'm guessing this all leads back to Ingeus and my adviser constantly reporting me for missing appointments that I didn't need to attend. I have written several letters to the DWP, explaining my situation, and also have phoned them a few times to clear up the confusion - they were apologetic on the phone and cleared the red flag/complaint from my file and that was it, supposedly. But, I tried to phone them again just now and I can't because it's a bank holiday weekend

 

I'm not one for name calling, but I'm getting really fed up with this b**** at Ingeus throwing tantrums and reporting me every week.

[sillygirl1]

Report her to the manager, copy in the local job centre manager too and the local MP. That is the only way to get things done with these organisations. The more you phone the less they seem to do anything.

 

Write to the DWP too, copying in the local job centre, Ingenus manager and your local MP.

[Kxo]

Do you know how I'd go about doing that?

[jason2723637]

it looks like your caught in a quagmire not your fault but DWPs is why I don't understand how they can be that incompetent I dunno how you get your MP involved (maybe email?) but defo do it and the rest of what sillygirl said about writing to DWP and phone them to and tell them the whole scenario and if you could speak to the line manager time to escalate it....... you have to get paid all will happen they will back pay if its been delayed

[Kxo]

it looks like your caught in a quagmire not your fault but DWPs is why I don't understand how they can be that incompetent I dunno how you get your MP involved (maybe email?) but defo do it and the rest of what sillygirl said about writing to DWP and phone them to and tell them the whole scenario and if you could speak to the line manager time to escalate it....... you have to get paid all will happen they will back pay if its been delayed

 

I think they employ [removed] over at the DWP. I've been reported several times by my Ingeus adviser (through no fault of my own) and have written back to the DWP and also phoned them. When I explained over the phone that I was currently unwell and handing in fit notes, the woman looked up my file and confirmed this was true. Weird that they didn't bother to check this before sanctioning me.

 

I will try and find an email and get something done about this. Most annoying thing is that I can't phone until Tuesday because of the bank holiday

Edited March 27, 2016 by honeybee13
Pejorative term removed.

[jason2723637]

so howd it go Kxo plz keep us posted if possible

[Kxo]

so howd it go Kxo plz keep us posted if possible

 

Hi, sorry, I completely forgot to update!

 

Basically what happened is, I phoned the DWP on the Tuesday and whoever I spoke to couldn't personally lift the sanction, so he put in a request for a reconsideration and someone phoned me back later that day. She lifted the sanction, but said it happened in the first place because I didn't reply to a letter... except, last time they sent me letters (3 in one week) I replied in writing to all 3 and also phoned them and they said I didn't have to keep responding. So, that was confusing.

 

I'm nearing the end of my extended period of sickness, but lucky for me, I got another letter in last week saying that I had completed my time with Ingeus so I no longer need to go back. Thank god!

[jason2723637]

whew thas good no more Ingeus

[Kxo]

whew thas good no more Ingeus

 

For now

[jason2723637]

lol up late as well

 

Edited to add - also once you end with Ingeus that's it right that's how the work programme works after 2 yrs you don't ever do it again

[Kxo]

lol up late as well

 

Edited to add - also once you end with Ingeus that's it right that's how the work programme works after 2 yrs you don't ever do it again

 

Always, haha!

 

I didn't know that. What happens if you temporarily move to a different benefit or sign off and sign back on again at a later date?

[jason2723637]

if it said in your letter its completed that's it id think ...the work programme as I understand lasts certain amount of time so if you sign off and back on then you may have to go back (other then that the time elapsed maybe significant like if it has been more then 13 weeks since you signed off then back on) but don't quote me as im not an expert someone else may know more... im off now hopefully to sleep soon waves

[ripples]

Once you have completed your two year term you are referred back to the jobcentre. Although this is over your adviser can send you on other courses, routes to work or make you jump through whatever hoops they deem necessary for you to get your jsa and this could include igneous if they offer the courses your adviser wants you to go on.

Edited April 11, 2016 by ripples
Typo

[ButtersScotch]

Hi all , since my last post I have gone on to college and ( touches wood ) i'll pass this course and assuming another college doesn't balls up the application I'll progress to a higher level. on another note whilst i still haven't got a job at the moment I've had 20 interviews in the year since I started college compared to the 5 i had with Ingeus ( two of these were at the same place ) although due to comparative lack of experience compared to other applicants and the fact i'm 24 means the chances of getting a job are near nil , and if that's not bad enough when I turn 25 next month I'll get the "national living wage" ( No Laughing Now ) which means the there will be a £1.90 per hour difference between me and someone who is 18-20. If it were up to me there a minimum wage which would be the living wage.

 

Anyway enough of the update/rant.

 

I have a few questions

 

Is it possible for a student who is between courses to claim JSA/UC?

 

How long is the gap between putting in a claim and receiving money ?

 

I am currently still "with the work programme" so would that mean that once I started claiming till say the last week before I start college?

 

I'm asking as i'm considering not claiming as its not worth the hassle of the buffons at Ingeus and reports sayings there's a five week delay means that i'm seriously considering staying away from the Job Centre ,I'm looking for work but in my opinion Ingeus have been more of a hindrance than a "help

[Mr.P]

You should be able to claim JSA/UC whilst between courses, although how long it would take before receiving any benefits payments would depend on which one you get. UC is (I believe) around seven weeks, whilst JSA shouldn't be more than a couple.

 

If your referral to Ingeus was within the last two years, if you signed on again, they may well invite you back for one of their pointless sessions. How long it takes would depend on when they notice you are back on benefits.

[LazyToucan]

Received a 'Good Reason Letter' from the Jobcentre regarding an Ingeus appointment which according to them I was notified about by post. I never received the appointment letter in question.

 

Anyone recommend a good way to approach this. Obviously there is nothing I can produce in terms of evidence which would prove that I didn't receive the appointment letter.

As far as I can see, all I can do is state in writing that I did't receive the letter, and maybe draw attention to my previous good attendance record.

[Mr.P]

Anyone recommend a good way to approach this. Obviously there is nothing I can produce in terms of evidence which would prove that I didn't receive the appointment letter.

As far as I can see, all I can do is state in writing that I did't receive the letter, and maybe draw attention to my previous good attendance record.

 

If you have had history of good attendance in response to all previous appointment letters from both Ingeus and the DWP, then emphasising that point is probably the best response. You could also put Ingeus to task and insist that they provide documentary evidence of posting (with the correct address) and not simply a record of the appointment being logged on a computer.

 

If your Mandatory Reconsideration fails, please don't be afraid to ask for further help. We can find some references to previous appeals in the Decision Maker's Manual that went in the appellants favour in similar cases should you need them.

[G G GEE]

If you have £5 -10 spare you could also pop to a solicitors and make a Statutory Declaration that you did not receive the mandate letter from Ingeus. Send a certified copy of the Statutory Declaration to the DWP when you reply to the good reason letter.

[LazyToucan]

If you have had history of good attendance in response to all previous appointment letters from both Ingeus and the DWP, then emphasising that point is probably the best response. You could also put Ingeus to task and insist that they provide documentary evidence of posting (with the correct address) and not simply a record of the appointment being logged on a computer.

 

If your Mandatory Reconsideration fails, please don't be afraid to ask for further help. We can find some references to previous appeals in the Decision Maker's Manual that went in the appellants favour in similar cases should you need them.

 

Thanks Mr.P. Am I right in thinking that they will make a decision one way or the other, on the basis of my "Good Reason". If the decision is not in my favour, then I would be at the Mandatory Reconsideration stage?

 

The letter states the following:

"...You should note that unless you can provide a good reason for not undertaking this activity, your benefit may be affected.

 

We will decide if your benefit will be affected, and will let you know what effect the decision has on your Jobseekers allowance.."

[LazyToucan]

If you have £5 -10 spare you could also pop to a solicitors and make a Statutory Declaration that you did not receive the mandate letter from Ingeus. Send a certified copy of the Statutory Declaration to the DWP when you reply to the good reason letter.

 

I'm loathed to have to fork out any cash on this to be honest, but thanks for your reply and the idea.

[Nystagmite]

Do you usually have issues with not receiving mail?

[LazyToucan]

Do you usually have issues with not receiving mail?

No, appointment letters have always arrived in the past. And mail in general is fine.

[Mr.P]

No, appointment letters have always arrived in the past. And mail in general is fine.

 

Royal Mail delivered some 14 billion items in the 2014/15 year (1). In the same period, they received around 260,000 compensation claims and a further 230,000 complaints about lost mail. However, if one looks at the tabloids (the most recent one I can find is dated 2012), mail losses were running at around 0.07% (2). In other words, the likelihood of a letter failing to reach its destination is fairly low.

 

Asking Ingeus to provide proof of posting (i.e. Post Office receipt) should be enough to kill any claim that they sent the letter.

 

1) http://www.royalmailgroup.com/sites/default/files/annual%20complaints%20report%20for%202014%2015.pdf

2) http://www.standard.co.uk/news/fewer-letters-lost-more-parcels-pinched-6958454.html