Social Welfare Problem - Please Help

Morzadec

Hey I've posted here before about my problems attaining partial JSA. Just back from the dole office now and turns out my case has been closed (completely unfairly in my opinion). Just wondering if anyone could give me any advice on how to appeal, or whether it would be a futile endeavor. I feel I have been unfairly treated.

Some background (latest development is in bold down below but I feel I should tell the whole story):

Worked part-time during my college years for 4 years. Applied for partial JSA in June 09 when finished college, as I earn only roughly 450 euro a month from my job. From then untill now (yes 8 months!) I've been sending away slips signed by my manager detailing what days I have worked.

I had an interview in October 09 in which I was asked to submit some documents (bank statements, details of parents income etc...). I submitted these in the interview but she wanted a couple of other things so I posted them out. Now seemingly these documents got lost in the post (or more likely misplaced by the staff at the office), because I got a letter in November 09 saying that my claim had been disallowed because of failure to submit the documents. However if I could get them in by a certain date it would be opened again.

So this time I made doubly sure and handed them in by hand myself personally. I was told I would be waiting on a means test. I kept going back for the slips and was continually told I was still waiting on a means test. Last time I went down before today was December 09, and I queried if there was any problem, but was told no - still waiting on a means test, keep sending your slips in.

So February 2010 and still no word. I went down to query again today and to get more slips and this is what I was told.

My claim was closed in January 2010 for failure to supply up to date information regarding my father's income. A letter was sent out to me asking for an up to date tax statement of my father's income and as this was never received, my claim has been closed. There is no appeal on this, and my only option is to start a new claim. Whether this new claim will be back dated to June 09 is for the welfare officer to decide (got the impression it may well not).

Now I'm pretty angry about this. Partially because I've been waiting around for this for so long, living on half the amount those on the dole get, but mainly because I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER! I tried explaining this to the woman but she kept saying one had been sent out. But I never received it. Getting a more up-to-date record of my Dad's income is no problem, and he's earned far less in 09 than he did in other years anyway due to the recession. Why would I not submit this and allow my claim to be disallowed if I was in the know?!

What can I do now? I really feel my case being closed is unfair and to be honest I'm just fed up with the whole thing. Been living on peanuts for the last 9 months, and I was really hoping the back-dated money would be a start on my ticket out of this country.

Is there anything I can do now? Is there anyway I can prove I never received a letter? What are my chances of successfully appealing? It seems like everything down there takes an age to do, and they will probably lose whatever I send them unless I drop it right into the deciding officers pocket!

Thanks in advance if you have any advice...

Balagan

Morzadec wrote: »

Hey I've posted here before about my problems attaining partial JSA. Just back from the dole office now and turns out my case has been closed (completely unfairly in my opinion). Just wondering if anyone could give me any advice on how to appeal, or whether it would be a futile endeavor. I feel I have been unfairly treated.

Some background (latest development is in bold down below but I feel I should tell the whole story):

Worked part-time during my college years for 4 years. Applied for partial JSA in June 09 when finished college, as I earn only roughly 450 euro a month from my job. From then untill now (yes 8 months!) I've been sending away slips signed by my manager detailing what days I have worked.

I had an interview in October 09 in which I was asked to submit some documents (bank statements, details of parents income etc...). I submitted these in the interview but she wanted a couple of other things so I posted them out. Now seemingly these documents got lost in the post (or more likely misplaced by the staff at the office), because I got a letter in November 09 saying that my claim had been disallowed because of failure to submit the documents. However if I could get them in by a certain date it would be opened again.

So this time I made doubly sure and handed them in by hand myself personally. I was told I would be waiting on a means test. I kept going back for the slips and was continually told I was still waiting on a means test. Last time I went down before today was December 09, and I queried if there was any problem, but was told no - still waiting on a means test, keep sending your slips in.

So February 2010 and still no word. I went down to query again today and to get more slips and this is what I was told.

My claim was closed in January 2010 for failure to supply up to date information regarding my father's income. A letter was sent out to me asking for an up to date tax statement of my father's income and as this was never received, my claim has been closed. There is no appeal on this, and my only option is to start a new claim. Whether this new claim will be back dated to June 09 is for the welfare officer to decide (got the impression it may well not).

Now I'm pretty angry about this. Partially because I've been waiting around for this for so long, living on half the amount those on the dole get, but mainly because I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER! I tried explaining this to the woman but she kept saying one had been sent out. But I never received it. Getting a more up-to-date record of my Dad's income is no problem, and he's earned far less in 09 than he did in other years anyway due to the recession. Why would I not submit this and allow my claim to be disallowed if I was in the know?!

What can I do now? I really feel my case being closed is unfair and to be honest I'm just fed up with the whole thing. Been living on peanuts for the last 9 months, and I was really hoping the back-dated money would be a start on my ticket out of this country.

Is there anything I can do now? Is there anyway I can prove I never received a letter? What are my chances of successfully appealing? It seems like everything down there takes an age to do, and they will probably lose whatever I send them unless I drop it right into the deciding officers pocket!

Thanks in advance if you have any advice...

Would suggest getting your father's tax statement asap, put a letter with it to SW saying that the first time you were informed that it was required was today's date when you went to the office, tell them you are appealing decision to close your claim &, in a polite and business like way, recap the saga with as many relevant dates as you can put in. Request a meeting with a supervisor to discuss the claim. Then send it all by registered post.

bambino

The Social Welfare offices are overworked these days that I don't understand why they would schedule you another means test when there is at least a 3 month waiting list for them. Surely it would cut down on time and money resources by using the original means test for you and others in a similar situation. Like everything it all depends on who you end up dealing with on the day, some people will be more willing to help you than others. I know people that had both good and bad luck when it came to submitting necessary forms for their claims. For instance one kept ringing their local welfare office to say a document wouldnt be in on time and it all worked out. Then when another had her case closed for failure to submit a document which was out of her control she contacted a local politician and it worked out or at least I think so from what I can remember. Go back in and see if they will push your case along and failing that go speak to somebody in the know such as your local politician or the Citizens Advice Bureau. The HSE have clinics where they loan you money until your actual money comes through, just go in and see if they can help.

Morzadec

Thanks, I've just written a letter and have the relevant documents as well so will send them off today. I've pretty much given up hope at this stage but I feel I should still persue it.