Livid

[Browneyes]

I need to moan. I am sorry if anyone is annoyed because it's nothing to do with family history...apart from the fact that it's possible I might not be able to access the internet soon and visit this forum.

My husband and myself are both out of work. I was unexpectedly laid off before Christmas and my husband works for himself - people are simply not spending money on their drains at the moment. Feedback from one interview in administration I had told me that 60 people had applied for that job. I was informed that a dog walking position had received 400 applications. We are not resting on our laurels and are actively trying to secure work.

In January/February I was offered and took up part time temporary work. A total of less than 100 hours work. We were told to sign off and sign on again which we did. We have done everything the Jobcentre asked us to do. We have received no payment for four weeks. I presumed this was to balance out the income received from my temporary work despite the fact it was part time.

The Jobcentre lost some of our details back in December, typed the wrong National Insurance number in for my husband, repeatedly asked for the same information and insisted my husband applied for a driving job even though he is still waiting to hear from the DVLA if his HGVII has been renewed after a medical. Employers do not take people on if they cannot show their driving licence.

Today I have received two letters from Jobseekers. Once simply says they cannot pay us an allowance...This is because the law says we cannot pay you". The joint claim has been ended.

The second letter says we are not entitled to the allowance because we have more money coming in - social security benefits (WRONG!), earnings (WRONG!), savings over £6000 (WRONG!), other money coming in (WRONG!)than the law says we need to live on.

How many more times do I have to tell them...WE HAVE NO MONEY COMING IN!

Suggestions please on how to live on air.

|soapbox|

[Dorset Girl]

Browneyes,
Your Jobcentre/Jobseekers experiences sound exactly the same as our Centrelink this end. I have become completely convinced they have a hidden agenda - by continually making errors, losing paperwork, losing appointments, putting wrong information in a file - they are convinced you will eventually give it all away as a bad job and go and live on the streets or move in with relatives!!
The only way to combat them, as far as I can see, is to keep on to them, and when you get nowhere with one of them - ask for a Supervisor, or a Team Leader - and keep badgering. Sorry - you just have to keep on - and on - don't let them win - make sure you get someone more than a front desk girl!
Keep on here as long as you can - there are enough of us here to give lots of ears and large shoulders......|hug|
Marion

[Jane Gee]

I am sorry about your situation Browneyes nothing I can say will help I doubt now that there is a family in the land that hasnt had someone in recent years who has lost their job its happened to many of us where I work.
However I can only ride to the defence of the jobcentre because I work there I can assure we do not have any hidden agenda we are trying to do our best and yes mistakes do happen.
I would suggest anyone who feels that they have a raw deal can do the following make an official written complaint,write to your MP or go to the CAB. Not a solution in the short term but the first 2 will get replies and the CAB are also an independant organisation that do a very good job helping people. If people dont complain nothing will change.

[MythicalMarian]

Browneyes, you state that the Jobcentre typed in the wrong NI for your hubbie. Do you think they have you and/or him mixed up with another couple here? It wouldn't be the first time they've made such mistakes.

All this signing off and signing back on business is a pain - I know because my daughter has just been through it. She got a four night shift of bar work at our local amateur dramatic theatre, for a grand total of £80 cash in hand and like a good honest girl she told the Jobcentre what she had been offered. They made her sign off for the week, then sign back on the week after. She then got another offer of a two night shift at the same theatre and again honestly declared this when she went to sign on. They said she was entitled to work 16 hours in a fortnight without penalty, so she was pleased about that, but then they stopped £40 out of her benefit, and made her go through all the signing off again.

Honestly, they hardly help youngsters to find work by constantly putting this bureaucracy in their paths. And when she goes to the Centre actively looking for jobs every fortnight, they constantly tell her 'There's nothing going jobwise, love - you're better just signing on.'

You can't seem to win with these people.

[Browneyes]

Thank you and I apologise for my ranting.

In December we had to phone one of their offices in Scotland. 300 miles from here and an hour's worth of phone call. She tried to sort everything out for us. She officially complained to the supervisor having spoken to one young lady (the same one that typed in the wrong NI number) in our local office. Having stressed to the young lady the mistakes and difficulties we were encountering, that young lady simply said to the woman in Scotland "So? That's not my problem."

I would stress that we have seen many other wonderfully patient people in there who tried their very best to help us...wrote copious notes on our records and spent considerable time and effort helping us. Their notes have been ignored at a higher level.

The waiting chairs in the jobcentre were removed and signs put up that no-one must lean on anything. One senior person came up to me as I was waiting where I had been directed to wait. She pointed across the room and simply said "Get over there! Get on that module and look at the jobs!" then walked away.

I understand that jobseekers are under pressure at the moment. I understand they have a job to do. I am always pleasant to them and tell them clearly what they want to know. I have been on the receiving end of customers who were stressed and know what it's like and I always bear that in mind.

Thank you for the advice. It is appreciated.

[Jane Gee]

Hi Browneyes
Quite frankly I am appalled that someone spoke that way to you its a wonder you didnt say something, some people could have started a row

I hope that some of the staff you have met have been friendly and helpful, I know that most of us are and strive to do our best for our customers.
Best Wishes
Jane

[BeeE586]

I can relate to yout problem, Browneyes. My son and a friend work as roofers and are prepared for a lean spell over Christmas and early January. This year the lean spell was followed by frost and snow and some heavy rain - an even leaner spell. As you so rightly say, when you work for yourself no work means no money. Even now, urgent repairs are being done but very little else; if they work two or three days a week that is all, even after estimates have been pared to the bone.

As for finding a different job - he is 51, who will employ someone of that age at anything ?
He can do almost anything on a building site,, but there is very little building being done.

It is very little consolation to know that many tens of thousands are in the same predicament, and the unhelpful attitude shown by some of the officials who are supposed to be there to help is appalling. I must agree about reference to the CAB - I have always found them extremely helpful and willing to help which is a great thing.

I hope your problems resolve themselves very soon.

Eileen

[Marie C..]

Browneyes,
I am sorry to hear of your problems. Is there not an Ombudsman or someone one can go to.
My mother always said "If you have a complaint go to the top." So a faulty cooker means a letter to the Chairman of the company who make it. Believe me it gets results.
I don't know who is "the top" in your case... an Mp or Minister I guess... in which case take the matter up with your local MP and then a complaints board or whoever.
Dealing with your local jobcentre seems to bring nothing but aggro... take it higher and further until you get satisfaction. M

[sueannbowen]

What a disgrace. I reckon this signing on and off business allows HMG to fudge the statistics but that doesn't help you at all. You must complain to your MP they seem to be the only ones who can do anything. Keep on and on complaining, the more noise you make the more they will want you off their phone. They also have to keep stats on the number of complaints they get so - turn up the heat. I feel for you. |hug|Hang in there. I wonder whether Watchdog would take them on - I bet they would if enough people complained.
Sue

[joette]

My niece is going through a period of ill-health which meant sometimes she is fit to work & other times not.
I have lost count of the number of times she has been left with no money.The number of times her parents or I have had to bail her out.She is lucky in that she has her Granny living nearby who is able to offer her meals.hot water & heating & the occasional tenner.
She has always been honest in saying "Yes I am fit enough to work" but who is going to give me a job with my health record?
She is now on DLA & working one day a week-six hours.The rudeness,incivility, & sheer "couldn't care less" attitude she has recieved from the Job Center etc has been unbelievable.
It has affected her health & caused stress to a difficult situation.
I appreciate that not all are less than professional but going on the sample we have dealt with not a good advert for them.

[Browneyes]

Update.

Hubby went in the local branch today. They were apologetic but said their office couldn't help us and pointed him to a phone by the door. Eventually he got through to someone and eventually that someone said "A giro is being sent to you today". (He didn't know why the money couldn't be transferred into the bank :rolleyes: I hope they haven't lost our details again - that would be the 4th time) Then he added "It was a clerical error." Well, we'll see what happens next won't we - I'll believe it when it comes. My file is getting fatter by the minute.

If I had made serious clerical errors like that I would expect to be disciplined. In the rush and pressure of dealing with claimants it seems a few of the employees are being careless. Hopefully the helpful professional ones, and there are lots of them, will become role models for those that are letting things slip.

Meanwhile I am working on a website, have cleared out a cupboard and found a lost old group photo of my Dad's school (I'm trying to decide which one is him at the moment) and I've come across some old family bits and pieces. So it's not all bad. :)


(Joette...|hug| for your neice)

[v.wells]

Browneyes |hug| I am saddened by what you have had to go through. You will still be able to access the internetty thru the library, but to put up with so much BS is not acceptable and I would be down to my MP's office like a shot.

My son is on unemployment benefits but has yet to receive money as he did work a couple of days and they extended the benefit period. Fortunately we are not too worried about money - we have a better economy than most countries but that could change any second. I know you're not supposed to ask family for help but can you?

Just remember that when things can't get any worse they do get better! I know it's the between time that's a pain. |hug|

[v.wells]

What a disgrace. I reckon this signing on and off business allows HMG to fudge the statistics but that doesn't help you at all. You must complain to your MP they seem to be the only ones who can do anything. Keep on and on complaining, the more noise you make the more they will want you off their phone. They also have to keep stats on the number of complaints they get so - turn up the heat. I feel for you. |hug|Hang in there. I wonder whether Watchdog would take them on - I bet they would if enough people complained.
Sue

I couldn't agree more! Complain away and do it now!