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The DWP should be ashamed of themselves
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[Deleted User]
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I have been looking for work for a while now, had the odd agency job, but that was only temp. Anyway, I was warned about this sanction system getting tougher by my adviser. I wasn't dodging work so had nothing to worry about...
Then they started having me in more often to see my adviser, to show that I had actively been looking for work. No problem, as I was. Then the beginning of this year I started having serious problems at home. I won't go into that on here. Not long after the problems at home, my missus started getting ill. The Doctors didn't seem to know what was up. In the end we put it down to the stress we were under at home.
During all this, I had to keep my head on top of looking for work, and making sure I didn't miss any appointments at the JC. One time I went to sign on, and the Woman, seemed to have a chip on her shoulder, marching me into a small room to sign in to my email account, to prove I'd been sending my CV out. She didn't look best pleased when there was about 30 odd sent that week. Think she was hoping to catch me out. Anyway back to the desk we go, I sign and she says "see you next time".
Anyway a fortnight later I go to sign again, and my adviser tells me I should have been there last week. Seems the nice woman before, forget to point out she's moved my next appointment to the following week... Ok I should have checked the date, but had been signing fortnightly for quite a while and had a lot on my mind.
Anyway, I got a sanction and lost just short of 6 weeks money for me and my partner.
Recently my partner has been diagnosed with cancer, seems the doctors failed to look for it because she is young.
I sent a letter to the DWP sanction department or whatever they call it, explaining what was happening at the time and that we are having financial difficulties. And could it be overturned. 8 week later, a phone call "no you cant, because you got your dates wrong on the appeal form"...
Luckily we have sorted our money issues out in the 8 weeks it took them to tell us no. And I can't be bothered wasting anymore energy with them and can do without the stress.
Sorry for the rant, and not really looking for any advise, just wanted to let people know how ruthless these people are.
Then they started having me in more often to see my adviser, to show that I had actively been looking for work. No problem, as I was. Then the beginning of this year I started having serious problems at home. I won't go into that on here. Not long after the problems at home, my missus started getting ill. The Doctors didn't seem to know what was up. In the end we put it down to the stress we were under at home.
During all this, I had to keep my head on top of looking for work, and making sure I didn't miss any appointments at the JC. One time I went to sign on, and the Woman, seemed to have a chip on her shoulder, marching me into a small room to sign in to my email account, to prove I'd been sending my CV out. She didn't look best pleased when there was about 30 odd sent that week. Think she was hoping to catch me out. Anyway back to the desk we go, I sign and she says "see you next time".
Anyway a fortnight later I go to sign again, and my adviser tells me I should have been there last week. Seems the nice woman before, forget to point out she's moved my next appointment to the following week... Ok I should have checked the date, but had been signing fortnightly for quite a while and had a lot on my mind.
Anyway, I got a sanction and lost just short of 6 weeks money for me and my partner.
Recently my partner has been diagnosed with cancer, seems the doctors failed to look for it because she is young.
I sent a letter to the DWP sanction department or whatever they call it, explaining what was happening at the time and that we are having financial difficulties. And could it be overturned. 8 week later, a phone call "no you cant, because you got your dates wrong on the appeal form"...
Luckily we have sorted our money issues out in the 8 weeks it took them to tell us no. And I can't be bothered wasting anymore energy with them and can do without the stress.
Sorry for the rant, and not really looking for any advise, just wanted to let people know how ruthless these people are.
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The UNEMPLOYMENT figures are not going down, just the claimants of JSA, due to (petty & deliberately misleading) sanctions.
There's still shit loads of unemployed, but they don't show up in the figures because they can't claim due to petty hitlerites on a power trip behind the desk.
This is how Mr Duncan-Sly-Smith and Mr David Cameroon & Nick Dregg and the Conservadems are manipulating the jobless figures.
Gotta make sure we tar all benefit claimants with the same brush now....even though the biggest draw on the benefit pot are pensions.
/rant
Well wrote. Come next election again the tories will not win. They have not won one since 1992:)
If the tories do get elected in 2015 without the help of that dead party the LIB Dems.
Then they will stop free health care, stop help for ill people. They will also STOP workers from going on strike. Stop housing support for people under 25 but will not stop the abuse of the tax system for there rich friends.
So its up to you and everyone here who has the vote.
Use IT even, if you want to vote tory
Regardless of any issues, there your problem
Thanks, I'm more mad that the reason for declining my appeal is down to me getting the dates wrong. They have everything on their system, and can clearly see I have a lot on my mind recently. They could have simply adjusted it. It's like they've got out of it on a technicality.. When they told me the reason, I just hung up. No more energy will be wasted on them, they can can keep it. We have more important things to focus on.
Just glad there are organizations like Mcmillan out there, who have been amazing, people who actually care about their fellow beings. Total opposite to the DWP.
I'm another of the missing statistics. I have just left university and although I have a job waiting I cant start until I am registered (the degree was for a registered profession). I cant face signing on so am stringing out a meager pot of savings supplemented by selling academic text books and some craft items I make on ebay. I have no doubt I will be well into the red before I start work though.
I take it you work?
You don't think 6 weeks without money is a little harsh for missing an apointment?
Or would you be happy if that was the policy at your work, Turn up late or miss a meeting, regardless of reasons. 6 weeks without wages?
Bang on.
Get the working class angry about and on the backs of the unlucky ones without a job.
They'll be too busy getting mad at them to notice what we're up to.
It all depends on where you live...
If you are in somewhere within an hour of London - there is no trouble findng work (as long as you are presentable and speak English).
I'm not on JSA but ESA and they reduced then suspended it for months because the decision maker couldn't make a decision due to not having enough paperwork despite sending them everything they asked for. They also lie and try to confuse you with arguing about dates etc and say they will call back in three hours when they don't and seems if you take paperwork in to get it sent off you have to demand a receipt because surprise surprise it gets lost.
Hope you and your partner are okay
Sorry to hear of this. I can only suggest being seen to comply with all of their requirements (no matter how petty/stupid/etc.) so they've got no excuse to apply any sanctions but, if it does ever happen again, then by all means go to the nearest Citizens Advice Bureau office to get help to overturn the sanction - http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm. I hope that things get better for you and your family.
Thanks for the kind words.
I implore you to approach citizensadvice as suggested by the previous poster
Aside from the fact you are out of pocket through the sanction, the other reason you should contend their decision is should you end up sanctioned down the road, it would be significantly longer than the first (they go up to 3 years), so you really want to get that over turned
CAB will also advise you of relevent services which might alleviate some of the pressure you are under.. don't allow DWP to fob you off like that
Good luck with resolving this, and I hope your OH makes a recovery
Just wondered in you've tried to claim ESA and PIP for your wife?
If your wife does get PIP, then you might be able to claim Carers Allowance and then sod Job Center Plus.
Try the yourable.com forum for advice
Not entirely accurate (the grammar too) when the people who are supposed to be there to help you put obstacles in the way and deliberately omit certain information in order to set you up to fail.
The 'problem' here isn't that the OP has had personal problems, as the OP continued to attend his regular appointment AND continue his job search considering the immense pressure, the 'problem' is that the JCP moved the goal posts and deliberately or incompetently failed to advise him of the change.
I would go higher and send an email to either your local mp or Ian (IBS) Duncan Smith himself. When I am having problems, I try the bottom and they I go right to the top.
Good luck
In my opinon the middle classes are worse. Most people who are working class are fully aware of how the dwp work and understand that they are only a few steps away from the dole themselves. The Middle-classes however generally do not understand or know much about the dole and most buy into what lies the government are selling them.
When the working classes get annoyed with people on the dole it is usually because they are working 40+ hours a week and not getting much more moeny than those on the dole (when you include rent, ctax and free prescriptions etc) but this is the fault of the government for not insisting on a working wage rather than a minimum wage.
Are you claiming DLA? Your ESA will be changed automatically if you get a full award of both componants of DLA. It is worth filling in the form.
Edit I think it is pips or something now? Not DLA.
All comments have been fair , kind & helpful other than one.
So rare you see it these days. - Also people talking actual sense for once about it all.
Iain duncan douche as i call him , don't get me started on my feeling for him. Pure evil >:(
In one thread i have seen actual deaths threats yet DS have take zero action on these people. Avoid the tv programme thread for the channel 5's life on the dole. The read is very upsetting.
One comment was even sterilise unemployed men & give unemployed women forced abortions - coming from a woman also.
Yes i see why they get annoyed growing up i hated those that got free school meals wile my dad worked every day.
But now i am on the other side & know how tough it is.
Nasty comments are uncalled for.
You can't support the dwp & their policies when they don't actually help people into work. No more jobs are being created. They are just sanctioning people instead.
Employers are the ones messing around people yet don't get any stick. Thousands applying for several jobs. Sending dozens of emails a day & getting no response.
Though benefits does cover the basics it is hardly a life of luxury.
Yes we don't go out to work but that is the only good thing & even that can get some people down eventually.
Anyway OP , not much advice i can give.
My fiancé has been in & out of warehouse agency work because that is literally all he can get. It is no life at all , no stability. Can be let go at any moment.
One of your posts says you are now her carer so surely you should be on esa etc. That kind of thing.
Contacting citizens advice might be good. Make sure you are on the right benefits. Apologizes if this is already sorted , can't quite gauge that from the posts.
No one should be left to rot with no money especially someone who is ill. Your partner needs help & support at the moment.
I am sorry to hear of her diagnosis , and i wish you both well.
Screw the DWP
I hope that the situation that you and your wife find yourself in ends up with a good outcome. Can I suggest that you visit the website that I will post at the end of this, as I am sure that you both will be able to gain some help and support and financial help and advice from here, because this is a Charity that has the specialist type of knowledge that the likes of Citizen's Advice just doesn't have or know about.
Good Luck and my Best Wishes to you both.
https://www.maggiescentres.org/our-centres/maggies-online-centre/