denied jobseekers allowance

mistress_gi

Hi everyone. So to my utter dismay I got a letter from welfare today denying me jobseekers allowance so my situation my husband is a post grad student and gets a grant of around 400 a week we pay 1100 rent a month and about 130 a month of electricity. I worked part time for 3 years and paid all taxes until I lost my job I put in all the papperwork and low and behold a BIG FAT NO. Saying that we make more than the threshold of 312 a week. What the hell? After rent and bills we have no money to even feed our dog. What is going on??? Should I appeal??

Cody Pomeray

Why are you not applying for Jobseeker's Benefit?

€312 is the maximum means, not the income limit.

A quick calculation (312.80-((€400 - 60)(0.6))) suggests you should be entitled to about €108 per week based on income.

Something strange about that decision. Are you sure there's no other source of income?

mistress_gi

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

Why are you not applying for Jobseeker's Benefit?

€312 is the maximum means, not the income limit.

A quick calculation (312.80-((€400 - 60)(0.6))) suggests you should be entitled to about €108 per week based on income.

Something strange about that decision. Are you sure there's no other source of income?

we went over and asked about what to apply for and got guven the allowance forms.

absolutely sure thats all the incone coming in, we have some money saved but not much much less than 30.000 that i was reading about. you are right this is very very strange. i shall call them and ask

maggiepip

Its possibly because your OH is getting a grant paid by the state that you wont qualify for anything as your combined income is over 312.

wmpdd3

Even if your other half was getting a social welfare payment of €400 per week you'd still get a reduced rate of JSB. Go back in and apply for JSB, if they wont let you ask them why.



I'd get a statement of your prsi payments just in case there is a mistake.

https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/secure/RequestSIContributionRecord.aspx

djk1000

Make sure your past employer was actually paying your PSI contribution. Some employers have been known to keep it rather than pass it on to revenue. If that's the case, you'll need to dig out your P60's or payslips and your P45 too.

eastbono

Its possible that money received in the form of a grant is assessed pound for pound and there may not be any disregard. Call into the office and find out how they assessed this.

mistress_gi

well it is a foreign study grant ( so he is putting money into the country) not paid by the irish state. and i submitted all my payslips (6 months) and p60 (end of 2012) and OH's as well, i find it shocking that i worked paid my taxes and now when i genuinely need help i am denied said help.

Stheno

mistress_gi wrote: »

well it is a foreign study grant ( so he is putting money into the country) not paid by the irish state. and i submitted all my payslips (6 months) and p60 (end of 2012) and OH's as well, i find it shocking that i worked paid my taxes and now when i genuinely need help i am denied said help.

If you just worked part time, it's possible you have not built up enough PRSI to get JSB

mistress_gi

Ok so I finally got someone in the welfare office and was told rent costs aren't taken into account when applying for jsa. Anyone here knows if this is right? It sounds completely ridiculous to me. I was told it only counts if an over 18 is applying.

eastbono

That is correct. Rent is only taken into account for under 25s living at home as their parents income is assessed for their jsa.

mistress_gi

Wow. So no help at all from the state. I'm glad I paid my taxes.

eastbono

Its your prsi funds social welfare. Did you not have an entitlement of jobseekers benefit? If you do then apply for this. The amount of money paid on this depends on your average weekly earnings in 2011 and the amount of time you can get if for depends on the number of contributions you have paid. You need to check out the benefit route.

king2

Whenever I made a claim for unemployment I was assessed for Benefit initially and if I did not qualify was then asked if I wanted to apply for Assistance. Isnt this the standard procedure?

eastbono

Ideally that is what should happen. The OP states that she worked part-time for 3 years and that is the reason I am advising her to check out jobseekers benefit.

antoinette 1

Applied for JSB 31st of jan 2017 and still waiting. Was told when I applied they think I'd be better on jsa... But still waiting.. Was on illness benefit from oct 2014-dec 2016..I have 52 credited contributions for 2015 and 39 paid for 2013 and 48 paid for 2014.... Soo why oh why am I still waiting 3 months on... Have just received letter to go for another meeting in social welfare office next week... Have I not a choice between JSB or jsa?

infogiver

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Applied for JSB 31st of jan 2017 and still waiting. Was told when I applied they think I'd be better on jsa... But still waiting.. Was on illness benefit from oct 2014-dec 2016..I have 52 credited contributions for 2015 and 39 paid for 2013 and 48 paid for 2014.... Soo why oh why am I still waiting 3 months on... Have just received letter to go for another meeting in social welfare office next week... Have I not a choice between JSB or jsa?

Are you getting SWA while your claim is being processed?

antoinette 1

infogiver wrote: »

Are you getting SWA while your claim is being processed?

No... Totally relying on husband... Didn't want to go down that route... NEVER thought I'd be waiting this long... Thought everyone was back in work haha...I mean for gods sake why not put me on JSB straight away... When I have the relevant contributions even if it is at the lower rate

king2

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Applied for JSB 31st of jan 2017 and still waiting. Was told when I applied they think I'd be better on jsa... But still waiting.. Was on illness benefit from oct 2014-dec 2016..I have 52 credited contributions for 2015 and 39 paid for 2013 and 48 paid for 2014.... Soo why oh why am I still waiting 3 months on... Have just received letter to go for another meeting in social welfare office next week... Have I not a choice between JSB or jsa?

From the credits you have stated you do qualify for JSB.The prsi requirements are confusing to anyone unfamiliar with them:

At least 104 weeks PRSI paid since you first started work

39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year (a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions*)

26 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks PRSI paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.

*If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, you must have paid 13 contributions in any of the following years:

The 2 tax years before the relevant tax year
The last complete tax year
The current tax year.


The problem with JSB is that the payment you receive is based on your earnings for the relevant year which would be 2015 if the claim is made in 2017. You only receive the full payment of €193 if you earned an average of €150 per week or more in the relevant year. You only receive €151 if you earned between 125 and 150 euro and €125 if you earned between €80 and €125. Earn below €80 per week in the relevant year and you are only paid €86.You may be better off applying for JSA on which you will receive the full payment but this payment is means tested. You will get the full payment as long as you do not have more than 20,000 savings or no property other than the house you live in.Im not sure what the waiting times are now but 3 months sounds very long.Generally speaking if you hear nothing for 4-6 weeks after claiming you probably need to contact them.

infogiver

king2 wrote: »

From the credits you have stated you do qualify for JSB.The prsi requirements are confusing to anyone unfamiliar with them:

At least 104 weeks PRSI paid since you first started work

39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year (a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions*)

26 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks PRSI paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.

*If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, you must have paid 13 contributions in any of the following years:

The 2 tax years before the relevant tax year
The last complete tax year
The current tax year.


The problem with JSB is that the payment you receive is based on your earnings for the relevant year which would be 2015 if the claim is made in 2017. Generally speaking if you earned less than the minimum wage in 2015 You would be better off applying for JSA on which you will receive the full payment but this payment is means tested. You will get the full payment as long as you do not have more than 20,000 savings or no property other than the house you live in.Im not sure what the waiting times are now but 3 months sounds very long.

She also has a husband who appears to have a job so his salary will come into play.
I agree that it's unacceptable to have been waiting this long unless there was an issue with the OP being a bit slow with supplying evidence of income etc.
I would print off the PRSI conditions for JSB and bring it to the meeting and ask whoever your dealing with to explain why you don't meet the conditions.

antoinette 1

king2 wrote: »

From the credits you have stated you do qualify for JSB.The prsi requirements are confusing to anyone unfamiliar with them:

At least 104 weeks PRSI paid since you first started work

39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year (a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions*)

26 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks PRSI paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.

*If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, you must have paid 13 contributions in any of the following years:

The 2 tax years before the relevant tax year
The last complete tax year
The current tax year.


The problem with JSB is that the payment you receive is based on your earnings for the relevant year which would be 2015 if the claim is made in 2017. Generally speaking if you earned less than the minimum wage in 2015 You would be better off applying for JSA on which you will receive the full payment but this payment is means tested. You will get the full payment as long as you do not have more than 20,000 savings or no property other than the house you live in.Im not sure what the waiting times are now but 3 months sounds very long.

Thanks for reply... I was getting 147 weekly on illness benefit .. Obviously not earnings per se so don't know how it works... Citizens advice said I should get the minimum of JSB 84e weekly which while isn't great would be something... At this stage , when backdated to claim date ,would be in excess of 900 e. Also isn't it usually that you get JSB first and when that runs out you try get jsa? So would it not be the wrong move to go straight to jsa....?

antoinette 1

infogiver wrote: »

She also has a husband who appears to have a job so his salary will come into play.
I agree that it's unacceptable to have been waiting this long unless there was an issue with the OP being a bit slow with supplying evidence of income etc.
I would print off the PRSI conditions for JSB and bring it to the meeting and ask whoever your dealing with to explain why you don't meet the conditions.

Hi yes I brought the printout of my prsi history
At the first interview.... But surely they would have that internal information at their fingertips... I had it sent out to me within 2 days when I requested it ... AND if I'm applying for JSB I shouldn't have had to provide my husbands income etc? Which I did.. Bank statements etc

antoinette 1

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Hi yes I brought the printout of my prsi history
At the first interview.... But surely they would have that internal information at their fingertips... I had it sent out to me within 2 days when I requested it ... AND if I'm applying for JSB I shouldn't have had to provide my husbands income etc? Which I did.. Bank statements etc

Personally I think, because I was on illness benefit for 2 years,re Crohn's disease, and if they gave me JSB and I got sick again I could go back on illness benefit putting JSB on hold they are tryin to avoid awarding it?.... Or am I being REALLY paranoid now haha

king2

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Thanks for reply... I was getting 147 weekly on illness benefit .. Obviously not earnings per se so don't know how it works... Citizens advice said I should get the minimum of JSB 84e weekly which while isn't great would be something... At this stage , when backdated to claim date ,would be in excess of 900 e. Also isn't it usually that you get JSB first and when that runs out you try get jsa? So would it not be the wrong move to go straight to jsa....?

It depends, you are free to apply for whichever one will pay you more. Your husbands earnings would also be included in your means test though so you probably would not be entitled to anything with JSA. You are entitled to JSB though, I edited my earlier post to include details of JSB payments versus earnings in the relevant year. Would illness Benefit count as earnings though? Not sure. In any case you are entitled to the minimum JSB payment.

antoinette 1

king2 wrote: »

It depends, you are free to apply for whichever one will pay you more. Your husbands earnings would also be included in your means test though so you probably would not be entitled to anything with JSA. You are entitled to JSB though, I edited my earlier post to include details of JSB payments versus earnings in the relevant year. Would illness Benefit count as earnings though? Not sure. In any case you are entitled to the minimum JSB payment.

Thanks again hope I get the news I want next week

antoinette 1

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Thanks again hope I get the news I want next week

Hi again got a call back from SWO yesterday the lady said the delay was because my husband was a sole contractor for 2 years up to August last year( only way to get a job after recession)he is a carpenter, since August is a paye worker( I'm sure by putting in his prsi number this could have been found out) AND they had sent a form for him to sign ages ago stating this but now want a letter of cessation from revenue which I have and could've provided .I asked her why in my numerous phone calls could this not have been asked of me. BUT my question is still this, am I not better to accept what I'm entitled to( at lower rate) for 9months and if I HAVE to apply for jsa then so be it.Cant understand their insistence on trying to give me more. I mean I know it sounds strange but if they decide I'm entitled to more on jsa but I want JSB at lower rate can I insist on it??as far as I know you can go from JSB to jsa but from jsa where do you go... Always thought jsa was only given( after means test)when not entitled to JSB re stamps etc

Trigger

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Hi again got a call back from SWO yesterday the lady said the delay was because my husband was a sole contractor for 2 years up to August last year( only way to get a job after recession)he is a carpenter, since August is a paye worker( I'm sure by putting in his prsi number this could have been found out) AND they had sent a form for him to sign ages ago stating this but now want a letter of cessation from revenue which I have and could've provided .I asked her why in my numerous phone calls could this not have been asked of me. BUT my question is still this, am I not better to accept what I'm entitled to( at lower rate) for 9months and if I HAVE to apply for jsa then so be it.Cant understand their insistence on trying to give me more. I mean I know it sounds strange but if they decide I'm entitled to more on jsa but I want JSB at lower rate can I insist on it??as far as I know you can go from JSB to jsa but from jsa where do you go... Always thought jsa was only given( after means test)when not entitled to JSB re stamps etc

Were you on JSB prior to going on illness benefit? If you were and your JSB exhausted you would need 13 paid contributions since the 156th day of that claim to requalify for JSB again.

antoinette 1

astradave wrote: »

Where you on JSB prior to going on illness benefit? If you were and your JSB exhausted you would need 13 paid contributions since the 156th day of that claim to requalify for JSB again.

No had a job from 2006 til I got sick and went on illness benefit oct 2014 to dec 2016.As said in previous post have 52 credited contributions for 2015...39 paid contributions 2013 and 48 paid 2014

king2

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Hi again got a call back from SWO yesterday the lady said the delay was because my husband was a sole contractor for 2 years up to August last year( only way to get a job after recession)he is a carpenter, since August is a paye worker( I'm sure by putting in his prsi number this could have been found out) AND they had sent a form for him to sign ages ago stating this but now want a letter of cessation from revenue which I have and could've provided .I asked her why in my numerous phone calls could this not have been asked of me. BUT my question is still this, am I not better to accept what I'm entitled to( at lower rate) for 9months and if I HAVE to apply for jsa then so be it.Cant understand their insistence on trying to give me more. I mean I know it sounds strange but if they decide I'm entitled to more on jsa but I want JSB at lower rate can I insist on it??as far as I know you can go from JSB to jsa but from jsa where do you go... Always thought jsa was only given( after means test)when not entitled to JSB re stamps etc

Did you tell her you wanted to apply for JSB instead of JSA?

Your husbands income would be assessed as 60% of his net pay after subtracting 60 euro.

So if he takes home for example 400 per week, 400 - 60= 340.

60% of 340 = 204

Your means would be assessed as €204 which is more than the JSA payment of €193 so you would not receive anything

If they know your husband is working I dont know why they are wasting time with JSA. A simple enquiry by them as to your husbands net income would tell them that youre not entitled to JSA

infogiver

king2 wrote: »

Did you tell her you wanted to apply for JSB instead of JSA?

Your husbands income would be assessed as 60% of his net pay after subtracting 60 euro.

So if he takes home for example 400 per week, 400 - 60= 340.

60% of 340 = 204

Your means would be assessed as €204 which is more than the JSA payment of €193 so you would not receive anything

If they know your husband is working I dont know why they are wasting time with JSA. A simple enquiry by them as to your husbands net income would tell them that youre not entitled to JSA

Your correct up to a point in your means testing in that his means is €204.
But they will say that her claim for JSA will be as if he wasn't working at all, how much she would get.
So say he wasn't working and they had no other means and she claimed for both of them and let's say 2 dependent children.
Then her entitlement would be
€193 (herself)
€128.10 (him)
€29.80 (child1)
€29.80 (child 2)
= €380.10
Then you deduct the means from that figure
€380.10 -
€204 =
€176.10
JSA entitlement €176.10

king2

infogiver wrote: »

Your correct up to a point in your means testing in that his means is €204.
But they will say that her claim for JSA will be as if he wasn't working at all, how much she would get.
So say he wasn't working and they had no other means and she claimed for both of them and let's say 2 dependent children.
Then her entitlement would be
€193 (herself)
€128.10 (him)
€29.80 (child1)
€29.80 (child 2)
= €380.10
Then you deduct the means from that figure
€380.10 -
€204 =
€176.10
JSA entitlement €176.10

Really? didn't realise that, I thought that because her husband was working she would not be entitled to claim for him and kids as
dependants

antoinette 1

king2 wrote: »

Really? didn't realise that, I thought that because her husband was working she would not be entitled to claim for him and kids as
dependants

Thanks for replies... The point is I DIDNT want jsa at all I know I won't get it ,my husbands take home is 650 a week, gave them his payslips... BUT I am entitled to JSB in MY own right re contributions..and if I do get JSB and need illness benefit again I could switch but not if I'm on jsa? Isn't that right? I do have one dependent son with another 2 living at home but working... I may have filled in for son by mistake but certainly didn't try to claim for my husband

alig123aileen

Write to the freedom of information officer in the dept social protection. Email foi@welfare.ie and ask for a copy of your file and outline your complaint. Before they do a higher executive officer will review your file and if you are entitled to jsb you will get it and you should insist it's backdated to original claim date. You are being messed around and it's not good enough. Say you are going to the ombudsman unless you get a comprehensive reply in writing. The department vexate claimants by Sending you away or asking for more documents but the freedom of information officer will have to be 100per cent sure you are not entitled to jsb before they answer. Good luck and if I can help further let me know .

infogiver

king2 wrote: »

Really? didn't realise that, I thought that because her husband was working she would not be entitled to claim for him and kids as
dependants

That's the way the means test is worked out.
If you think about it it makes sense.

infogiver

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Thanks for replies... The point is I DIDNT want jsa at all I know I won't get it ,my husbands take home is 650 a week, gave them his payslips... BUT I am entitled to JSB in MY own right re contributions..and if I do get JSB and need illness benefit again I could switch but not if I'm on jsa? Isn't that right? I do have one dependent son with another 2 living at home but working... I may have filled in for son by mistake but certainly didn't try to claim for my husband

When you filled in the form it didn't ask you if you wanted to claim for them. It did ask you for his details and your dependent child details.
If you didn't give those details then that will be what partially caused the delay.
That form was an application forJSB/JSA.
When you give evidence of all your family income then they can look to see if you would possibly be entitled to more then the €193 if your husbands income is low enough, but they can't do that if they don't have his payslips etc.
In your effort to be honest and just claim for yourself, and because you assume that your not entitled to JSA because of the means test, you've over complicated the matter instead of just letting them have all the information!
Whatever happens you'll be offered whichever is more the reduced JSB or the means tested JSA.
It'll be backdated till your application too.

antoinette 1

infogiver wrote: »

When you filled in the form it didn't ask you if you wanted to claim for them. It did ask you for his details and your dependent child details.
If you didn't give those details then that will be what partially caused the delay.
That form was an application forJSB/JSA.
When you give evidence of all your family income then they can look to see if you would possibly be entitled to more then the €193 if your husbands income is low enough, but they can't do that if they don't have his payslips etc.
In your effort to be honest and just claim for yourself, and because you assume that your not entitled to JSA because of the means test, you've over complicated the matter instead of just letting them have all the information!
Whatever happens you'll be offered whichever is more the reduced JSB or the means tested JSA.
It'll be backdated till your application too.

How have I over complicated anything... Gave them ALL information they wanted asked for?? Even stuff that wasn't needed seens that I'm entitled to JSB through my own working contribution history

infogiver

antoinette 1 wrote: »

How have I over complicated anything... Gave them ALL information they wanted asked for?? Even stuff that wasn't needed seens that I'm entitled to JSB through my own working contribution history

When you got the JSB/JSA application form did you fill in all the questions about your husband and dependent child ?

antoinette 1

infogiver wrote: »

When you got the JSB/JSA application form did you fill in all the questions about your husband and dependent child ?

Absolutely... And provided wage slips,mortgage statment, mine and my husbands bank statements,letter from doctor, letter refusing me invalidity pension as they deemed me fit for work(if not the job I was doing)even though never actually called in for review and letter from my employment letting me go on doctors advice

antoinette 1

Hi went in for meeting yesterday, and guess what ? Asked all the same q"s again. Gave the evidence of contributions from social welfare and asked Why am I not getting JSB? " you might get more on jsa" and I'm here to evaluate you THEN goes for decision. "How long does that take" she said "a week or 2" . Now they are just taking the p.... It's now 13 weeks since signing on... Don't know wether I've mentioned this is bishops square dublin.... Asked me for hubbies payslip said a gave it in.. She said need an up to date one.... I said was up to date 3months ago when I gave it in.. And wants credit card statement... Why I said look at the figures... At a glance you can see jsa won't be given...."" Has to go for decision" grrrrrrr

king2

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Hi went in for meeting yesterday, and guess what ? Asked all the same q"s again. Gave the evidence of contributions from social welfare and asked Why am I not getting JSB? " you might get more on jsa" and I'm here to evaluate you THEN goes for decision. "How long does that take" she said "a week or 2" . Now they are just taking the p.... It's now 13 weeks since signing on... Don't know wether I've mentioned this is bishops square dublin.... Asked me for hubbies payslip said a gave it in.. She said need an up to date one.... I said was up to date 3months ago when I gave it in.. And wants credit card statement... Why I said look at the figures... At a glance you can see jsa won't be given...."" Has to go for decision" grrrrrrr

You are entitled to opt to apply for JSB in lieu of JSA. There is nothing in the rules that states you must apply for JSA even if it does entitle You to more. The last thing on the minds of the DSP is getting people more money!

antoinette 1

king2 wrote: »

You are entitled to opt to apply for JSB in lieu of JSA. There is nothing in the rules that states you must apply for JSA even if it does entitle You to more. The last thing on the minds of the DSP is getting people more money!

Well you'd think so, at least I did, owed over 1,000 now ( at lower rate JSB)and living on loans cos didn't want to go SWO .... I said I NEVER asked or wanted jsa seems to be par for the course that they means test for both... But 13 weeks is just disgraceful

infogiver

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Well you'd think so, at least I did, owed over 1,000 now ( at lower rate JSB)and living on loans cos didn't want to go SWO .... I said I NEVER asked or wanted jsa seems to be par for the course that they means test for both... But 13 weeks is just disgraceful

I would go back there tomorrow and ask to speak to the manager.
Have a few notes jotted down of the timeline of your application so that it's clear in your head.
Don't leave it another 2 weeks.

antoinette 1

infogiver wrote: »

I would go back there tomorrow and ask to speak to the manager.
Have a few notes jotted down of the timeline of your application so that it's clear in your head.
Don't leave it another 2 weeks.

Thanks for replies I sent the added stuff so should have been on her desk today. I'll leave it Til Monday/Tuesday and if I've heard nowt I'll go in..... Just can't see them doing anything just cos I go in. <snip> is who I saw yesterday don't know how important she is?

Please do not mention staff by name. It raises all sorts of privacy issues

antoinette 1

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Thanks for replies I sent the added stuff so should have been on her desk today. I'll leave it Til Monday/Tuesday and if I've heard nowt I'll go in..... Just can't see them doing anything just cos I go in. <snip> is who I saw yesterday don't know how important she is?

Please do not mention staff by name. It raises all sorts of privacy issues

Sorry about that, didn't know, just thought someone might know their status ie manager etc

antoinette 1

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Sorry about that, didn't know, just thought someone might know their status ie manager etc

Now 14 weeks and still waiting!!!!!!!

infogiver

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Now 14 weeks and still waiting!!!!!!!

I wouldn't be waiting any longer. Would you not go and ask to speak to the manager?

Chieftain

This whole case seems very bizarre. If she has the contributions to qualify for Jobseekers Benefit, then there is absolutely no reason the claim couldn't be authorized on the spot. If the husbands take home is 650 per week, then optional Jobseekers Allowance isn't really a goer. From my experience a straightforward JB claim should be awarded on the day of the interview

antoinette 1

Chieftain wrote: »

This whole case seems very bizarre. If she has the contributions to qualify for Jobseekers Benefit, then there is absolutely no reason the claim couldn't be authorized on the spot. If the husbands take home is 650 per week, then optional Jobseekers Allowance isn't really a goer. From my experience a straightforward JB claim should be awarded on the day of the interview

The ONLY thing I can think of is my time on illness benefit?? Which of course it shouldn't as I am now declared fit for work... Husband working and 2 sons working .. All at home..... As I've said before CANNOT understand their insistence on trying to give me more.. Very unlike SW.. I mean they say they want to check I get what I'm entitled to but for 3+ months have given me nothing

Chieftain

antoinette 1 wrote: »

The ONLY thing I can think of is my time on illness benefit?? Which of course it shouldn't as I am now declared fit for work... Husband working and 2 sons working .. All at home

The illness benefit shouldn't make any difference at all - if you've been declared fit for work then that has no bearing (other than if it ended less than 6 months ago, you wont have any waiting days on the JB). I'd definitely ask to talk to the office manager and ask for an explanation for the delay

antoinette 1

Chieftain wrote: »

The illness benefit shouldn't make any difference at all - if you've been declared fit for work then that has no bearing (other than if it ended less than 6 months ago, you wont have any waiting days on the JB). I'd definitely ask to talk to the office manager and ask for an explanation for the delay

Thanks for reply.. It ended in dec 2016.. Does that have some bearing?

Chieftain

antoinette 1 wrote: »

Thanks for reply.. It ended in dec 2016.. Does that have some bearing?

No just means you won't have the 3 waiting days at the start of the JB. Hard to figure what all the delay is