Proving a late jobseekers allowance claim

Edenane

Ok... Essentially I was told by Citizens Information about 3 months ago that I would have to wait for 3 months before I would be able to claim jobseekers. I am just finished an Honours Degree at DkIT in May. So I waited until now to claim, and at the dole office I was told to give the information that I could to support a late claim, so I would get the benefit backdated to the start of summer. All I could do was write a letter with my claim giving the information I was given, as I don't really have any proof of that. Although, at the time I thought that it would be perfectly obvious, as why on earth would I wait 3 months to claim jobseekers?

Today I got the letter back saying that I was denied for having my jobseekers backdated, due to apparently I "..have not shown that you have met all of the conditions for jobseekers allowance during that period..." and I ".. have not shown that there was a good reason for not claiming on time...".

Now I gave them all the needed information, so I am jobseekers at the moment. But I would like to appeal this decision in relation to the backpay, but literally I have no evidence, apart from why would any sane mind wait for no particular reason for 3 months?!? They have my bank statements going back for 1 1/2 bloody years, and a letter from college giving a date I finished! And a letter from myself explaining the situation, as well as all the other forms and letters and documents explaining both myself and my family's situation!

What should I do? I don't have a way of proving what Citizens information actually said to me. They said there was nothing I could do, and no way I could get money for 3 months. So the last few months have been very tough. I'm just completely confounded, so if anyone doesn't mind helping, what should I do?

Fran79

Did you supply them with evidence of your job seeking - ie copies of applications and offers of interview / rejection letters / emails.

Edenane

That is a good point I suppose. I didn't include anything like that because I wasn't asked to. I do have evidence that I looked for jobs in that period, but I wasn't told that I should include that with the Jobseekers Allowance application. Not loads though, I got into the interview stage for 3 jobs... But nothing yet. So I should include the e-mails and letters in the appeal?

LegacyUser

Edenane wrote: »

That is a good point I suppose. I didn't include anything like that because I wasn't asked to. I do have evidence that I looked for jobs in that period, but I wasn't told that I should include that with the Jobseekers Allowance application. Not loads though, I got into the interview stage for 3 jobs... But nothing yet. So I should include the e-mails and letters in the appeal?

Yes definitely. 3 interviews in 3 months is more than most people, you must have clearly applied for more jobs than that too. Include copies your applications for jobs you didn't get any interviews for too (if you have them), include any contact indicating an interview and include any rejection letters/emails if you have them. If you have your CV on monster/fas/any jobs site, include copies of that too, also contact with recruitment agents. Basically anything you show to support that you were trying to look for a job and not just someone waiting to go on welfare!

I've appealed for back pay before and gotten it. Are you appealing to your local office or to the social welfare appeals body? Just to let you know, I first appealed to my local office, providing additional information but never heard anything back, I rang the office 2 or 3 times over the next few weeks but nobody knew what I was talking about. Eventually after about 2 months I had enough of waiting and lodged an appeal with the independent welfare appeals body (even though it was suppose to be outside the allotted appeal time).
I explained to them I had appealed to the local office and rang several times with no luck (I also included my local appeal letter and all evidence I had submitted).
In the end I was granted the back pay, at that stage I was off welfare and no longer claiming (took a while for the whole process to finish!) but I was still backdated.

My situation was a bit different, I got a doctors letter to support my appeal, but hopefully you'll have a similar outcome, goodluck!

endacolm123

wel just wondering bout the same topic.. signed on the 14th of oct there and was finished my honours degree in May. when i signed on never knew you could back date it till the time you finished up so said nothing but gave in proof that i was looking for work. went into the social welfare office there today for my first signing and gave in all my bank statements since May plus a letter from the college stating that ive finished my course and asked them to back date it since May. they are still accessing my claim and i havnt still received any JSA which is the 5th week now.

im just wondering what are the chances of them back dating it since i never mention it the first time round??

does back dating it take longer to process on top of looking for JSA??

any info on this thing would be sound, xmas is getting closer and kinda relying on this few bob to make a good one and to pay back the bank