31 May 2015

A question about : JSA stopped due to missing appointment

I do not know if anyone can help or advise.
My son missed an appointment at the jobcentre last week but this was due to a training course he had being put on and they were aware of this. He then went to sign on today but was told he had being taken off JSA due to this missed appointment. He has not being sanctioned and in fact never has. He worked up until December last year. He has applied for jobs and attended job interviews, this course was to help him develop his skills to get a better job or be open to more jobs.
I just don't know how they can just stop someone's money and tell them they have to reapply. As yet we are waiting for something in writing. At present we cannot afford to support him as there is only one person working and due to them being just over the threshold I cannot claim anything.
I am not holding my breath they sanctioned my other son last September for missing an appointment they cancelled still waiting for there decision in writing.

Best answers:

  • so was he at the training course at the time of the appointment or did he just think he did not have to go?.If he was at the training course nobody can be in two places at once and he should appeal straight away.They do seem to be sanctioning a lot of people but at least he lives with you,even though funds are short it is much worse for people who live on their own which is why the food banks are so busy.
  • Thank you for replying.
    He was at the training course which was 30 miles away at the same time as the appointment. They knew about this. The problem is he has not being sanctioned but his benefit stopped and he has being told to reapply. So far he has not had any official letter from the jobcentre over this so do not know when it was stopped or what is actually affected.
    Fortunately he is going back to work next month but this may mean 4-6 weeks without any money.
    The annoying thing is he has complied with everything they have asked for as he wants to work.
  • I see did not realise it had just been stopped well tell him to reapply as soon as possible but if he tells them he is starting a job next month they will not give him anything maybe he could just tell them the Friday before he starts and he should be able to claim travel costs until his first payday too.
  • He needs to start the official appeal immediately.
  • Sounds like a jobsworth just wanted a easy target or as usual just thick staff.
  • He has reapplied although he will loose money as he will miss the first 7 days of his claim.
    He has wrote to the jobcentre manager and made a complaint as he still has nothing in writing he is still in the dark as to the official reason and what is happening.
    As for going back to work he has only just being asked back and would only tell them the day before he started anyway.
    I believe it is a problem at this centre and trying to make it look good as there are no full time jobs locally only seasonal and mainly part time jobs available.
    They once phoned here and left a message that someone had an interview they gave the day time location but as three people living here had applied for a job with this company we we not sure who it was for.
    As for an easy target they have picked on the wrong family I will make both kids keep complaining until something is done.
    Thanks all.
  • How about getting your MP involved?
  • They cannot legally 'take you off' JSA without formality.
    They need to go through the actual formal process of stopping it - which involves a letter, and appeal rights.
    If JSA has not been formally terminated, it may still legally be ongoing, and due payment.
  • did they not say come back at 4pm ish or close to closing time. When I was going to go on a work placement it clashed with sign on time and they said come back around 4pm to sign on then I would still do the placement and sign on. unfortunately I didn't do this work placement due to working hours constantly chnaging
  • Cuddles2012 - you're absolutely right to complain. The JCP/DWP process is JCP Manager > District Manager > COO of DWP > Independent Case Examiner (ICE) > Parliamentary Ombudsman.
    Although most get resolved at District or Chief Operating Officer level [in reality a member of the latter's Executive Team replies on his behalf].
    I did the above on behalf of a claimant and he received Ј100 special 'consolatory' payment from the DWP, as well as an apology.
    As Rogerblack correctly states, you've been given misinformation (which incidentally aids your complaint as this error is maladmininstration - as is delay and failure to notify and reply etc).
    Even if the claim has been closed in error (which occurred to the Claimant I helped); your son should not be subject to the 7 'waiting days' as the claim has not been closed for over a fortnight.
  • Thank you all for the advice.
    He has never missed any sign on day only an appointment which we believe was to see how he was getting on getting back to work. Prior to the course starting he told them he would be on in and no other appointment had being rescheduled. The course was 9-4.30 for 4 days and an hour + travel each way. He was on two weekly sign on day so went in as normal and they told him he JSA had being stopped.
    I could understand if they said he would be sanctioned for missing an appointment I still would not be happy and would obviously fight it.
    But with it being totally stopped I have never heard of this happening to anyone before. I would go to the local CAB but it is appointments and one day only - worse then going to GP.
    We still have not being given any information in writing so do not know when benefit payment actually stopped.
    Rogerblack and Mersey you are of great help. I was not aware of this info.
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