Backdating JSA after being paid by CWO

stinkle

Hi again, I'm full of questions today

just phoned SW office as letter arrived today re:my JSA finally being aproved after 14 weeks. Unfortunately it's not backdated yet, because in the interim I had to go to the Community Welfare Officer. I've been in receipt of supplementary allowance since May 24th. How long does it usually take to sort this out? Apparently it wont be backdated until they find out how much I've received and they pay that back to the Health Board. The person I spoke to basically implied that I shouldn't hold my breath

Anyone know if this is something that takes a week/month/longer? I can't face another month of sponging off my loved ones. The CWO was very helpful and efficient at the time, might it be worth getting in touch with him to make sure the SW office do their bit asap?

Techno_Toaster

Hello:) Me again too lol. I was in the exact same position as you. It shouldn't take too long or at least it didn't for me. I received my back payment about a month after I started claiming JSA. It could vary depending on the area you live in and all that but I received mine in the post office one week.

EDIT: you will get your weekly rate of JSA while waiting for the back-dated payment. So you won't be left out of pocket.

stinkle

thanks so much for the reply - did you have to do anything about it in particular? or did you just go in one day and instead of the €188 it was €188 + whatever was backdated?

It's 14 weeks since I first applied, and have only gotten SWA for 4 of those, it's a lot of money to have tied up I know I'll still have the weekly JSA going in, but I've been given the run-around so much by my local SW office that I'm incredibly weary of their antics, and I don't want to have to wait a second longer if I don't have to. Already got delayed 5 weeks cos my file went AWOL, then only got the authorisation for JSA yesterday cos I rang them - 19 days after the interview

Techno_Toaster

Nope I did nothing. I went in to the post office every week and got my 188 and then one week I went in I got 500 and something euro. I didn't know when I was gonna get it like you. I would chase them up though if it goes longer than a month. I'm a very outspoken person and like yourself was borrowing every week from friends and families so I didn't let anything pass with them. I kept on their case and rang before that too to check when my back dated pay would be in. I got the same rely..give it a few weeks.

If after a month you still havn't received it call up or ring SW. The only have to pay the CWO for 4 weeks so it won't be a mountain of work for them. Mine was roughly the same:)

stinkle

yeah I'm hoping the CWO payment is more routine for them and won't take an eternity like everything else! I didn't know that they only have to pay CWO for 4 weeks, thanks for that info.

I think I'm more annoyed at the attitude of the person I spoke to today - I had assumed that it would all be backdated and then when I queried why it wasn't (by chance she said "theres €188 in the post office this week") I was spoken to like I was back in primary school and got the usual line re:how busy they are etc etc etc. Will need to go to office tomorrow and get that temporary card so might try to speak to someone about all this. I don't think I can face another month of sponging off my nearest and dearest

Techno_Toaster

stinkle wrote: »

It's 14 weeks since I first applied, and have only gotten SWA for 4 of those, it's a lot of money to have tied up

I meant they only have to pay back 4 weeks because that's all you've claimed. In my case I too received SWA for 4 weeks and they took all of that off the final bill but I mean they claim back whatever you've gotten.

Some people in the offices can be quite rude and unhelpful. I too have received the quick fob off answers. Keep on them though, if they smell weakness they'll take full advantage ha.

They have to give you the money at some stage and i'm sure it's in their own best interests to get you sorted out asap so hopefully.

stinkle

oh I'm such an eejit! Yeah it's not much payment, but in fairness if its 4 weeks or 40 it's a basic enough calculation and I don't see why customers should be penalised for in-house monetary transfers. Essentially it's all government coffers!

Thanks for all the info anyway, if I oculd be sure it was just x amount of weeks I don't think I'd care too much, it's just the randomness of it all that's driving me up the wall. I'd be sacked or at least reprimanded in previous jobs for this type of messing around

Techno_Toaster

Oh sure I know. I was given the run around too for a long time until it actually got sorted. I mean depending on your area i'm sure they have a deadline and whatever its actually getting someone to tell you it. Keep on it anyway. I hope it gets sorted soon for you:)

stinkle

Techno_Toaster wrote: »

Keep on it anyway. I hope it gets sorted soon for you:)

Thanks, it helps to know other people have gotten it sorted though Like I said, going up to office anyway tomorrow so might take that opportunity to inquire in person and if no luck after that then I'll keep on ringing them till they're sick of me