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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To make a complaint about DWP

66 replies

DWPeedOff · 14/08/2012 20:15

I'm absolutely rubbish at complaining! In person I get all red and mumbly, in writing I get carried away and completely lose the point. I need help of the MN type, curt and to the point.

I'm unemployed right now and claiming contributions based Jobseekers (DH works FT). We have two small children. I'm looking for work and I've had a few interviews but no job offers as yet. I was signing on at 3:30 every Monday which was fine.

DWP have now, for whatever reason, switched my sign on time to 12:30 from the end of the month. I've explained that this is no good. DC1 is at nursery and it doesn't finish until 12, I don't drive so I'd need to go straight for the bus after doing the nursery pick up. The bus is at 12:40 so I'd be late for the sign on slot before I even got there.

The DWP lady went away, came back and offered me 1pm. I again explained that this was still no good. I can get there for 1pm but it would still mean getting the bus straight after picking DC1 up from nursery. I'd get to their office for 1pm (with running from the bus stop!) and sign but when am I supposed to feed the DCs their lunch? There are no food type places near the office, a packed lunch at the bus stop isn't ideal but could be done on a dry day, when it's raining or cold that's not an option though and youngest is only 10mo, has health issues and refuses to eat while in the pushchair no matter how hungry. I told them that in all practicality I can't make it for 1pm and gave them the reasons. I asked if I could have a 2pm slot instead or a 10:30am one or if I could come on any other day of the week.

Their response: "if you had a job you'd have to be there on time and on the set day no matter what your reasons". If I had an effing job the children would be in childcare and all of this would be a non-issue. They've said I'll have to come for 12:30 next week and that all I can do is keep asking for a different time slot because as people sign off their time slots will become available and one of those might be a better fit. In the meantime though I'm stuck with a time slot that's not feasible. I don't even know why they've changed my existing time slot as it was ideal.

They wouldn't let me speak to a manager but they gave me a leaflet with a complaints address. AIBU to make a complaint? Is it even going to make a difference? I'm scouring their customer charter to see if there's anything in it that says they have to take any of this into consideration!

OP posts:
Gumby · 14/08/2012 20:17

can't you just pick up from nursery earlier?

Gumby · 14/08/2012 20:18

or just not bother with nursery on Mondays - after all as you say you don't need childcare just now

Original poster
DWPeedOff · 14/08/2012 20:23

It's actual nursery school not a childcare nursery and while it's not compulsory they do monitor attendance as it's based within the main school. It wouldn't be fair on him to keep him out on Mondays and early pick-up doesn't improve the situation much.

OP posts:
JeezyPeeps · 14/08/2012 20:26

I think YABU. In order for them to keep paying you, you are required to show that you are available for work by signing on - it takes just a few minutes.

If you can't do that then it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume you are not available for work.

They aren't there to find a time that suits you, and she has already offered you a time that you can make.

JeezyPeeps · 14/08/2012 20:29

Sorry, I think that comes across quite harsh, which wasn't my intention. I knows it's not easy, juggling everything - but I think signing on needs to be a priority.

The kids could have a snack on the bus to keep them going till you get home.

amistillsexy · 14/08/2012 20:31

Pick up early from nursery so you can catch the right bus.

And...
Get nursery to give child a snack before pick up, you do same with baby, then feed lunch once home.

Or...
Take snacks to eat on the bus (a bus picnic! Mine would love it!).

Or...
Feed them sandwiches in the office (if breastfeeding, give a feed as well :-) )

Unfortunately, they cannot and will not change your times to suit your children's routines.

caramelwaffle · 14/08/2012 20:32

You are being unreasonable.

Feed the children 15 minutes later or drop the Monday nursery session (or pick up earlier).

SeventhEverything · 14/08/2012 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WorraLiberty · 14/08/2012 20:43

Take the 1pm slot and bring a sandwich for your child.

As you say, you can't pick up early when it's a school nursery or muck about with the days.

But you can bring a sandwich for the bus ride.

WildWorld2004 · 14/08/2012 20:48

Iv never had a choice of when i can sign on. Im told a time to sign on & thats it.

What id do is pick dc up from nursery early, take lunch with you, eat it on the bus.

As for the poster who said it only takes a few minutes, i waited 20 minutes on my last signing day.

JeezyPeeps · 14/08/2012 21:14

20 minutes isn't long - 20 minutes to get a weeks worth of jsa - good use of the time I would have thought.

Trioofprinces · 14/08/2012 21:21

Sorry I too think YABU, after all I presume it's only every other week? You can put yourself out for that despite it being a bit awkward.

When I went it took up to 1.5hrs to queue and get through it, that was 4 years ago though.

Socknickingpixie · 14/08/2012 21:50

the change the times sometimes as its a easy way to work out if a person is working whilst claiming.

WildWorld2004 · 14/08/2012 21:51

20 minutes is a long time when you work, volunteer, are doing 2 study courses & are also a full time single mother with a child on holiday. Then you have to sit at the jobcentre waiting for 20 minutes before you are seen because some drunken man decides he just doesnt feel like moving & going away.

JeezyPeeps · 14/08/2012 21:57

If someone can't spare 20 minutes to sign on then it's unlikely they are able to be actively seeking work.... Let alone take a job should a suitable one be offered.

ilovesooty · 14/08/2012 21:58

the change the times sometimes as its a easy way to work out if a person is working whilst claiming

Yes, agreed. I'm afraid you'll get nowhere complaining as they can tell you to sign on whenever they see fit.

20 minutes is a long time when you work, volunteer, are doing 2 study courses & are also a full time single mother with a child on holiday. Then you have to sit at the jobcentre waiting for 20 minutes before you are seen because some drunken man decides he just doesnt feel like moving & going away

I don't think JC Plus' primary concern is accommodating someone's busy lifestyle...

WildWorld2004 · 14/08/2012 21:59

Iv just told you the reasons why i dont have a spare 20 minutes to just sit about at the jobcentre.

Socknickingpixie · 14/08/2012 22:00

wildworld 20 minutes is twenty minutes regardless of what you do with your time

civilfawlty · 14/08/2012 22:01

I'm sorry, I disagree. The OP has said she is looking for work. We all seek jobs which work around our childcare solutions. Presumably, she will adapt her childcare when she finds work. If it was 3:30 NO-ONE would be saying pull your child out of school early.

WildWorld2004 · 14/08/2012 22:02

The jobcentre are only allowed 5 minutes with each person so when i turn up on time i should not be expected to wait 20 minutes while one person gets seen.

JeezyPeeps · 14/08/2012 22:02

I work three jobs, am doing one study course (classed as half of full time) and am a single mother of two, both of whom are on holiday. I could find 20 minutes.

I note you aren't addressing thd 'actively seeking work' aspect of signing on.

expatinscotland · 14/08/2012 22:03

YABU. It's one day a week you have to change the children's routine to claim.

Socknickingpixie · 14/08/2012 22:03

ofcourse if your lifestyle is far to busy to accomadate signing on then dont

ilovesooty · 14/08/2012 22:04

Iv just told you the reasons why i dont have a spare 20 minutes to just sit about at the jobcentre

So how would you find time to work then?

WildWorld2004 · 14/08/2012 22:06

Where did i say that i wasnt looking for work?

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