Problem with income based jsa

[Logan99]

New to this but hoped someone could help me. I lost my job in August and went on contribution based jsa which ended in February, since then I have had no payments at all for various reasons none of which are my fault. Firstly I had the letter saying it was coming to an end, I told my advisor and asked what I should do ...he said don't worry you will automatically switch over to income based...I didn't! I was then told I needed to fill out a form...I did...then they said because I have a mortgage and received payment protection I needed to fill out another form...I did...no word or money from them for 3 weeks ...I phoned jc+ was told they were waiting for the mi12 form back from my insurance company...I phoned insurance company...they never got it...phoned js+ back was told different story altogether! I should have had this mi12 form and filled part out and send rest to my lender (not insurer) I went to jc and asked for the form only to realise that it is an application form for mortgage interest direct scheme where government pay your interest! I don't need this as I have insurance...I just want income based jsa! I phoned js+ back and explained this and the fact I have had no money for 5 weeks now...was told someone from mortgage department would call back in 3 hours...they didn't but I got a text 4 hours later saying we cannot process your claim until we have the mi12 form!, Does anyone know why they need an application form for something I'm not applying for before they can pay me jsa...it makes no sense and I have no money to live on...I had to go to a food bank today as I haven't eaten in 4 days. And from what I have read it looks like I'm still months away from this been sorted. I just feel like ending it all.

[Beatrice Bee]

Someone up here said she got post office coupons from the council to convert it to cash to buy food and pay the bills because there were delays in the processing of her benefits.

 

Ask them what evidence they need to be able to help. Up to date bank statement shows last JSA payment dates. Plus some JSA letters.

 

From what I saw on the internet, food bank can only be used 3 times in a year so you need to get other help started as well. Benefit advance you can apply for when there is a delay in the processing of the claim: ask for the form and for info about it.

 

Adviser Discretionary Payment: your JCP adviser can grant it. With JCP you can ask for an on-the-day payment, rather than the normal three working day clearing process. You call your BDC from the free phone at the JCP and say why it is urgent.

 

Like when you sign on on Fridays, the money appears in your bank account the next Wednesday. With an on the day payment it was in my account within a few hours of calling Stratford [London BDC for my area]. It was outstanding after a suspension so they were willing to speed up the payment.

 

The council will want to see that you have exhausted all other options before they are willing / able to help you. So put in a claim for the above DWP wonders and keep a copy to show the council if they want evidence.

 

Check what the Adviser Discretionary Fund is for before you say what you need it for. Eg say you need it to buy new clothes for job interview if it is given for that reason. It won't be for buying food.

 

Please tell us how you get on with the above so that forum readers will know available options.

[antone]

 

Check what the Adviser Discretionary Fund is for before you say what you need it for. Eg say you need it to buy new clothes for job interview if it is given for that reason. It won't be for buying food.

 

 

Under no circumstances whatsoever should anyone abuse or defraud the ADF. It's not available for general living costs and you are advising the poster to commit benefit fraud. Don't do this.

[Logan99]

I need a more permanent solution than that anyway. I just want to know why they would want me to fill out a form for something I don't want or need before they will pay me jsa. They have all the details they need regarding my income and mortgage ...I just feel like they have made a mistake but I can never get to speak to anyone about it

[antone]

If you aren't getting callbacks, ask for the matter to be escalated to a supervisor. He or she should ensure that you get one as a matter of urgency.

 

I suspect the problem is that mortgage protection might be seen as income, even if you're not claiming MI payments. There's a specialist team at the DWP which deals with mortgage issues, and that's who you need to speak to.

[Beatrice Bee]

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/social_fund/short_term_benefit_advances.aspx

[antone]

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/social_fund/short_term_benefit_advances.aspx

 

That is potentially useful, though depends on expected future entitlement. At least it's legal.

[Beatrice Bee]

Flexible Support Fund and Adviser Discretionary Fund does not give cash anyway. They have a list of contractors they have to contact to supply what the customer needs. Eg Argos, Primark will supply the item to the value listed: smart suit for £120, shirt for £20, tie for £10. And then we have to show the receipt to JCP. Customer won't have to pay upfront but given a voucher or similar. It is for removing barriers to work so my implementation was no food is a barrier to work. Then googled ADF / FSF and it shows you will get a bicycle / laptop / childcare / travel costs but no living expenses.

 

The above link seems to be the solution.

[Beatrice Bee]

Interpretation, not implementation.

 

Shame on those who muck about so much that customer has to go to food banks.

[antone]

Flexible Support Fund and Adviser Discretionary Fund does not give cash anyway. They have a list of contractors they have to contact to supply what the customer needs. Eg Argos, Primark will supply the item to the value listed: smart suit for £120, shirt for £20, tie for £10. And then we have to show the receipt to JCP. Customer won't have to pay upfront but given a voucher or similar. It is for removing barriers to work so my implementation was no food is a barrier to work. Then googled ADF / FSF and it shows you will get a bicycle / laptop / childcare / travel costs but no living expenses.

 

The above link seems to be the solution.

 

I know what the ADF/FSF is, thanks. It's just totally irrelevant to the OP's situation. There is absolutely no legitimate way the OP could use the ADF to help with his or her particular issue.