To think that they were more unresonable than me (job centre)

[leftangle]

Had an appointment to apply for jobseekers allowance today. I've been made redundant, have been working 3 days a week for the last 2 years and full time for the rest of my working life apart from maternity leave.

They wanted me to turn up to sign on tomorrow. I said I can't due to childcare. Apparently there isn't a choice. And if I'm actively jobseeking it shouldn't be a problem for me! Well I am actively jobseeking but I need notice for childcare. I said interviews generally give more than a days notice - consultant didn't agree.

I was also annoyed that they couldn't tell me if I am actually elligable for jobseekers (may not be as i was on maternity leave for some of the quallifying period). So I potentially have to attend 2 interviews with associated 1 hr travel and bus fare before being told I don't qualify.

Lastly I was asked to sign a form to say I would be availble for 40hours a week with 90mins travel each way. I said I wasn't. She said sign it anyway and they can sort it out when you sign on.

So, I rather talked myself into a hole of not being able to attend tomorrow and as they couldn't reschedule for the next week (as it has to be a tuesday) I walked out. Thus totally cutting off my nose to spite my face as now I will have to rearrange and still attend twice.

So I was definately unreasonalbe for walking out instead of sorting the childcare somehow for tomorrow - and I regret it - but I think they are worse?

leftangle it is a bit demoralising but I did find that by engaging with the staff at a professional level did help enormously. I did also find that producing evidence to show that I was actively looking for a job did help to focus my mind a bit.

They didnt have anything remotely suitable for me on their books but they quite cheerfully admitted to that.

Good luck with the job hunting.

I don't understand all the hatred toward JC staff who are just people trying to do their jobs? I've had to take DD in with me before and I felt no need to wind her up/load her with sugar and ignore her.

They're human same as you not out there to spite you and make life difficult they're just doing their jobs.

I agree Gnome.

I signed on briefly when I lost my job. I came up against a particularly self important woman and used all my best behaviour management skills to disarm her .

I did a lot of reflecting and 'understanding'.

If the op is married she can't claim income support if her DH is working can she?

Yep jobcentres are the pits, but as PP have said lots of people have no choice and have to take their children with them.

Don't sign anything saying you agree to 40hrs a week under the promise it can be changed later, that's A LIE! Once you sign that agreement you have to abide by it and its not easily changed.

Go off and google OP, find out exactly what you would be entitled to and what the conditions attached will be.

You're right Queenofjacks, however there are some JC staff who are arseholes.

Absolutely AmberLeaf. Not only that, but it is also as a result of the dynamic of the relationship between the advisor and 'customer'.

Queenofjacks It's an unequal power relationship and unless the advisor is a 'people person' and very skilled, it is understandable that the 'customer' might feel on the wrong end of that relationship, because they are.

Jacks, the JC staff I have encountered have unfailingly been both sneeringly self-satisfied and staggeringly incompetent

They're worse than Mothercare

ahahaaaaa

This is the 'cushy life' of a benefits claimant.
What they say goes. You'll have to take the kids, I do.

This is the 'cushy life' of a benefits claimant.

I don't think anyone would suggest that 'nobody' is on the fiddle, anyone who thinks many people are really should try it! It's an incredibly soul destroying experience.

And did mean to say "Absolutely! Glitter"

YY Glitterknickaz!

I hope you get sorted soon OP, but I have to admit to being glad that people are experiencing what its really like!

Ok I'm not glad but now we have all these MC folk having to jump through. DWP hoops and complaining about it, I feel like saying 'Seeee!'

Not so bloody easy when you have to do it is it?

It's a very hard thing to have to face that now you are 'dole scum' (not my words but that's how many people regard the unemployed) you no longer have the courtesy extended to those lucky enough not to have lost their jobs yet.

You're in a game now. It will be frustrating, humiliating but you have to work out the rules.

I sympathise with you but you've done what they want, which is to delay your registration from the register or to remove you entirely for being 'unreasonable'.

Never mind. Go back. Just think of staying on the register as a small victory against Dave, Gideon, Iain Duncan-Smith, Chris Grayling, Eric Pickles and the rest of those cunts who want to distract people from the balls-up they're making of the economy by stirring up the bashing of benefit claimants.

FWIW I think having to arrange childcare is a reasonable short-term explanation. A doctor's or dentist's appointment definitely is. It was probably the person you got.

Many JSA advisors are okay and scared of losing their jobs too.

Hope you get work soon

Thanks. I have a 3 year old. I am married with a working DH but he works 15hrs a week on minimun wage. At the moment we're living on my redundany pay which is why I'm not desperate yet - but will be. As I am seeking work, and have been working until now, I assume I'm a jobseeker and entitled to claim (contribution based).

I think I'm complaining more about the rules than the staff. I don't mean to bash anybody who is doing their job as best as they can. And if there is no flexiblity in the system it isn't their fault.

And to whoever said they don't work for me - yes I know that, but I don't work for them either.

Off to do more googling.

Check out the 'entitledto' website, they have a very good online calculator that should tell you what you're entitled to based on yours and your DHs details.

Thanks for the link AmberLeaf :)

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all to have expected more than 24 hours notice to find childcare. Coming from the world of work, I'd have expected the same and the "tomorrow or wait another week" is the most ridiculous system I've ever heard.

I hope you don't have to be in such a ridiculous system very long. Wish you all the best with getting back to work asap.

Sigh - I am about to go back to work on Monday after maternity leave, with a 90 minute commute. Has to be be full-time with 80 hour weeks not uncommon, as my tentative request to go part time was laughed at

Good luck OP. I hope you find something that works for you soon so you don't have to deal with this madness much longer.

now we have all these MC folk having to jump through. DWP hoops and complaining about it, I feel like saying 'Seeee!'

Not so bloody easy when you have to do it is it?

Foo I don't think that was the way Amberleaf intended her post to be taken seeing as she's been so sympathetic to the OP.

That was probably why you had to cut: 'I'm not glad but...' off it.

btw I noticed your own first post was far from sympathetic.

Sniping at others doesn't help. You could lose your job on Friday and I would honestly feel sorry for you and offer support.

Well tbh it kind of was meant like that, but yes the 'not glad part was there as I don't mean it personally and yes I am sympathetic to anyone who has to deal with the DWP.

By glad I think what I mean is now its affecting a broader range of people its being spoken about more so hopefully more people will become aware that claiming benefits doesn't = scum.

Bit like the archaeology graduate that took court action over being forced to do workfare, joe bloggs couldn't have done that but at least it raised awareness.

I think what I mean is now its affecting a broader range of people its being spoken about more so hopefully more people will become aware that claiming benefits doesn't = scum

That's how I feel too so I was glad I misunderstood you.

The girl who took on Workfare was right and more people should complain. It wasn't her fault that that she appears to be privileged and they don't.

She's just an ordinary girl, not likely to be the recipient of an intern wheeze at a blue chip firm. And she got a lot of shit from ignorant people of all classes who are lucky enough to be in work - at the moment. In fact some of the worst was from people who'd never been in further education and thought she deserved it for daring to 'get above herself'. Not sure how she's got on.

It's true that middle class people aren't used to being treated like this and are more likely to complain, but it's surprising how meek people become. But then it's a thoroughly demoralising and humiliating experience no matter who you are.

I volunteer at the CAB and I'm always writing letters for people and advising them to complain politely and persistently within the rules when they are abused. I enjoy coaching them through it because my hobby is being a pain in the arse. Sometimes I wish I was invisible and could whisper in their ear when they're faltering.

I like helping people write to their MPs listing complaints and errors contrary to the DWP's charter. It's amazing what even Conservative MPs will do in response to a legitimate complaint from a constituent.

And a rocket up the arse from an MP is such a motivating factor.

Am already unemployed and knew exactly what amberleaf meant, although you know that too now obviously :) Was not sniping, and my first post wasn't unsympathetic, it was realistic.

It's in no way critical of the OP, my previous post.
Only benefits claimant mean the DWP own your arse. You fill out forms in triple triplicate then get told you don't qualify so have to appeal to get what you are entitled to. Then there are delays of up to 8 weeks so eviction proceedings start.

Yada yada.

Life on benefits is not a 'lifestyle choice'. It's bloody horrendous and yes in a way it is good others are finding this out.

But it's not good at all, really... and I do feel for those who are finding out just how bloody awful it all is.

Ah OP, you are too accustomed to the world of work (I'm guessing you worked in a professional capacity too?), where you are generally treated like a human being and reasonable requests are considered...

Welcome to Job Centre hell

Thing is YES YOU MUST be available for any interview at I think 1 hours' notice or you're not entitled to JSA.

It sucks.