How can they get away with stuff like this?

midlandsmissus

How are the dole office so unspeakably incompetent?

My story: my jobseekers allowance claim was approved 3 weeks ago and I got my first two weeks money no problem.

Then, I went into the post office last Friday and there was no money for me, no warning of this happening, nothing.

I went into the office and after them blaming me for half an hour and saying I must have done something wrong, it eventually transpired that it was their fault.
They had left a post it note on my file from my last claim 3 yrs ago, saying that I had moved to N.Ireland to work. Some-one thought it was a recent note and they had immediately cut me off. Even though it said 2006 clearly on the sticker.

So after blaming me for ages, the woman eventually admitted it was their fault, assured me I would be put back on the system, and that I would get my two weeks worth of money this week.

I went down to the post office today, and guess what? No money again.

I actually cried.They are just so unbelievably incompetent.I feel sick with anger and frustration. Imagine telling me she woukd correct it last week, and then still do nothing about it, when it was their VERY lax mistake, cutting somebody off completly because they left a wrong sticker on a file.

I rang the local office, they never ever answer the phone.
I rang the headquarters, they said they cant do anything and I have to talk to the local office.

If I go in again today what if they say yeah they'll sort it and then next Friday comes and they haven't bothered to do anything again, I have no leg to stand on. What can I do?

Will I ever get my money?
Who can I talk to about this? Can I complain to anyone?
If this was a business they would be fired, but because we're the unemployed and they think we're the lowest of the low, they get away with being as incompetent as they like.

My community officer is only open on a Wednesday so I'll have no money till then, all because of their mistake and refusal to correct it.

I just want to scream!

Xiney

That's a really crappy situation

If you need money for food asap, is there a st. vincent de paul society near you?

Balagan

If you can get yourself together to do so write a letter to the Social and Family Affairs Dept marked URGENT and outline there what you have outlined here and drop it into the office on Monday with By Hand written on it. If you have it at all, include the name of the staff member who admitted to you that the error was theirs. It's best to have a notebook with you whenever you go in there and say something like, oh I have a bad memory and just want to make sure I don't forget what you say, and then record the info plus the names of people who deal with you - even if they won't give you a name you can always note which number hatch they were working at as well as the time and the date and a brief description. It may get their backs up a little but it means that you have records and can use them when problems occur and you'd be surprised at how that measure seems to change the whole tone of the exchange. Good luck with everything.

jenzz

I second Balagan. With my drama over the whole medical card thingy - I did that.I pretended to be a total thick, sorry your name please,Oh im so forgetful. Yes I got their backs up alright, it was delivered by hand & within 48 hours I had a letter in the door with 3 medical card numbers on it.