Signing day and asked to re-fill forms

Maga

Hi there,

A friend of mine went for his signing day today and said that upon arriving there, there was a huge queue and every person was handed a copy of the JA form part B (I think) to refill on the spot.

Since he struggles with English and also couldn't remember a few details, he asked the person who handed the forms for help. They told him something along the lines "this is exactly why we are giving these forms to yous now, it's a little surprise to catch those who are lying or have 'bad memory'".

Apparently everyone in the queue was asked to fill in the forms today, so it was not related to type of claim/nationality/time on the dole or anything.

Does anyone know what this is about? Why is everybody being requested to fill in a form that was already provided? And is the person allowed to bring it home and back on the next day or something like this?

Many thanks for your replies.

SCOOP 64

Do you know what was asked on the form?

Maga

From what he told me, it was exactly the same forms everybody has to fill in when they originally apply for JSA. Apparently it said "part B" on top, but I don't know what the actual form title was.

It was very detailed, with questions from whether he owned a car to whether he participated in some community activity (not sure what they meant by that), access to public transportation, duration of last employments and details on wages and previous employers. Plus lots of other stuff.

SCOOP 64

And every one had to fill in these forms? there and then?
properly people still queueing now if thats the case, strange one all right, know the form you mean, sounds like the one i filled in couple of months back when first claiming JA, well i didn't fill it in, women just asked me the question's on the form and she filled in answers.

Maga

Yes, this is the strange thing.

He said that at arriving there, everybody was shocked at how huge the normal queue for signing was.

Then as they took their places in the queue, lots of extra staff would go around handing out forms with pads and pens and "forcing" every single person in the queue - no matter what type of claim, etc etc - to re-fill those forms and give it back to them as quickly as possible, in a sort of "surprise test" atmosphere.

mitosis

Good. Glad to hear it.

dobman88

Probably to weed out all the benefit cheats, fantastic work imo. If your friend has nothing to hide then it shouldn't be a problem. They are only trying to catch the liars and cheats.

SCOOP 64

I think your friend shouldn't worry to much about forgetting some of the details, i remember when i was asked sitting down calmly with lady asking me these same questions and I still had to think about it,like what exact date did your last employment cease "27th or was it 28th or 29th Aug !!!????could not remember!, so i could imagine in a queue with people waiting it would be putting him under pressure.
hopefully someone else on here might shed some light on the matter.

SCOOP 64

dobman88 wrote: »

Probably to weed out all the benefit cheats, fantastic work imo. If your friend has nothing to hide then it shouldn't be a problem. They are only trying to catch the liars and cheats.

Could be , because the person in the queue might not be the actual person who should be signing on, thats why social welfare cards wth photos should brought in, cant expect staff to remember every face with every signature.

Maga

Scoop64, this was my impression as well. My experience with them in interviews was the same as yours, “er, did I start the job in March or May of 2006? Or was it April?” and they were super nice with me. So for me it was a good warning, as God help me if I had to remember on the spot how much I earned weekly at a random job 5 years ago or even my postal address at the time lol (as I moved several times in the past years).

I actually think the “liars and cheats” are the ones who would have this information perfectly available, as they made it all up in their heads and would be more afraid of getting caught.

I also feel sorry for those like my friend who can barely read street signs and simple forms in English (and this goes for foreigners as well as for elderly people or people who were not able to attend school) having to answer legal questions without further support.

SCOOP 64

I think your friend will be fine, they have to make allowances for people who are not fluent with the English language. If hes doing it all above board he has nothing to worry about.

danjo-xx

Seems like a general spot check, the information on Part 1 of that form is very basic and personal information that most people would know about themselves. http://www.welfare.ie/en/pdf/up1.pdf

I'd say if you answered most of them correctly and left others blank you would be fine.

Some people like foreign nationals might need help with it and should explain this.

SCOOP 64

Thanks for that danjoxx, at least now i will be ready with answers,
"hold on, date i was married?, have to go and ask wife!!!