Rather Odd...

genie

Recently I was moved from Unemployment Benefit to Assistance. A Social Welfare Inspector sent me a letter saying that he wanted to come to my home to see me about this. The letter arrived in the late afternoon (I live in the middle of nowhere) and he was to have come that morning. I was out that morning. I thought it would be polite to ring the SW Office and explained about the rubbish postal service in my area, so I did, and the SW Inspector said that he would get in contact with me again in a couple of weeks.

A few weeks later he rang (while I was out) to see if I was in and rang again a little while later and with held his number. Despite misgivings (I hardly ever answer with held numbers) I answered it. Anyway, when he did come to my home, he questioned me and means tested me i.e. looked at a bank statement from the end of December 2007 because it was the most recent one I had to hand. He said that everything would be ok.

Last week I noticed that my Allowance had been cut by €34, even though I live alone and have no savings. I had received no notification about this. Is this normal?

A few questions (before I go to my local sw office and possibly make an a**e of myself if it is standard practice!):

1. Nobody I've asked has ever heard of a SW Inspector coming to a person's home before. Is this normal?
2. With holding his number when ringing me to see if I was in. I was genuinely out when he rang the first time. Not on IMO.
3. Not informing the recipiant that their Allowance is going to be cut. Is this normal? Surely not.

It seems to me that he clearly doesn't believe a word I say to him and thinks that I am being deliberately obstructive. I am not.

Any views appreciated.

Many thanks.

tomred1

1. Social welfare inspectors visit homes all the time
2.withheld his number because he doesn't want clients ringing him at all hours.
3.You should have been informed of a change, maybe it got lost in the post.
I would go to my local office and ask about the reduction.The inspector does not make the decision to reduce your claim, it would have been the deciding officer.

genie

tomred1 wrote: »

1. Social welfare inspectors visit homes all the time. I see.
2.withheld his number because he doesn't want clients ringing him at all hours. He didn't with hold it the first time he rang. It was because he thought I was avoiding him. :rolleyes:
3.You should have been informed of a change, maybe it got lost in the post. It wouldn't surprise me!
I would go to my local office and ask about the reduction.The inspector does not make the decision to reduce your claim, it would have been the deciding officer. I'll do that.

Many thanks!

UrbanFox

Some thoughts.

Could you make a Freedom of Information request to the department for copies of the papers relative to this decision ? It might give you insight in to how they reasoned their decision and how they did their sums.

You could also write demanding a written explanation of their decision and how they justify the figure that they have "inflicted" on you.

Even though the decision has been made you must surely be entitled to make representations about it. You are the party affected by their decision and they are obliged to hear your views or, more properly stated, you are entitled to be heard ("audit alterem partem" is the relevant principle ! ).

Finally, do not be fobbed too easily as some of these people - NOT ALL - can be a touch autocratic and you need to push back on occassions.

SarahMc

I hardly think it is necessary to make a FOI request at this stage. Ask why your allowance was cut, and if the reasons are untrue, simply appeal the decision.

Kristopherus

You should not have been removed from U.B. to Jobseekers Allowance without an explanation. If you have enough contributions you are entitled to U.B. and that entitlement cannot be denied to you as you have already paid for the benefit. You should check with your nearest Social Welfare office and ask them to clarify the whole matter for you. If you have to write/appeal to the regional office, e.g. Longford or Sligo, you could be waiting weeks for a reply

tomred1

Kristopherus wrote: »

You should not have been removed from U.B. to Jobseekers Allowance without an explanation. If you have enough contributions you are entitled to U.B. and that entitlement cannot be denied to you as you have already paid for the benefit. You should check with your nearest Social Welfare office and ask them to clarify the whole matter for you. If you have to write/appeal to the regional office, e.g. Longford or Sligo, you could be waiting weeks for a reply

Joseekers benefit only last for 15months! You are told this when you get the claim. He was obiviosly changed over to J.A as J.B must have ran out. You can be denied J.B for plenty of reasons no matter if you have the credits.

Mrs. MacGyver

I agree with tom above. You should contact your local social welfare office for an explanation as to why means have been assessed against your claim. You would have been notified by post of the original decision.

dresden8

You never have to make a freedom of information request to see any information that was used to make a decision on your claim. You're entitled to see everything in the interests of natural justice.

People get worked up about their revenue or social welfare files, but really, the secrets of the Kennedy assassination aren't in there, mostly forms you have filled in yourself or standard forms used to make and inform you of decisions.