Aibu to wonder how you can claim JSA for years

[Talkativeparrot]

I know a couple who are in mid 20s. They have claimed JSA for five years plus one claims carers entitlement but does no caring. They get rent and council tax paid. Basically their lives seem to be one big day out. There are loads of jobs available locally so why do they not get made to try one. Doesn't make sense to me.

Aged knees- if she doesn't agree with her award decision she can ask for a mandatory reconsideration within 28 days. This is where she asks them to look again at her claim. if this fails ( most do) then she can take it to appeal where it goes before a tribunal panel. if she wins it will be backdated.

Thanks for that babyroobs. Up until 3 years ago she was working. Now she can’t dress herself, go to the loo unaided, has trouble talking, swallowing. It’s a heartbreaking disease.

Sanctions are for not turning up to sign on

No, they're not. You can be sanctioned for all sorts of reasons.

If you don't spend enough time looking for job - you have to job search for 35hrs p/wk, minimum.

If you don't hand out enough CVs - each week you're supposed to contact a set number of employers on speculation.

If the Universal Jobmatch computer matches you to a job and you don't apply for it - even though the computer makes errors like matching you to jobs you where you don't meet the criteria or are completely unsuitable for you.

If you're ill - you get 'signed off' on the basis that, if you were offered a job that day, you wouldn't be able to work and your claim then has to go to a decision maker who will decide if you'll be sanctioned and how long for.

If you're late to your appointment - even in reasonable circumstances like there being a transport strike or adverse weather, even when it's their fault because you were on time but they forgot to mark down that you'd arrived. It goes to a decision maker who, again, can decide to sanction you.

And yes, if you miss your appointment for any reason including having a heart attack a few hours before your appointment and missing it because you're in HDU. They can, and do, sanction you for that.

She has been awarded the lower benefit but I really think she should be on the higher rate. Has anyone any experience of this?

She can appeal this, however appealing could also mean her points go down..and its a LONG wait for tribunal. I have been waiting over a year for mine (they stripped 2 points from me in two areas which conveniently knocked me just below the amount needed for an award). I think, and my consultant agrees, that I should be on the higher rate care and low rate mobility. And basically, this means if I do pass this tribunal which I should, I am now due around 10k in backdated money! I owe maybe 8k of it out already as obviously my illness is still here so my costs are the same and I need the money from somewhere..but yeah. She can appeal but it could go either way and will take a long time. Also appealing I think you have to do within a month of recieving the decision..so may be too late.

The problem is its easy to get a job-there are jobs, but the practicalities of losing the security of benefits the minute you start employment put a lot of people off. Thete needs to be more initial support, payment of first month rent and jsa till payday
Its easier to sit at home, especially if you have young children. Working does not pay at all, or everyone would be doing it.

She has only just got the award. It’s a progressive degenerative neurological life limiting disease she has. I want her to not have to worry about stuff like this.

Been on JSA myself not enough to exist.
However claiming carers allowence would no doubt top it up a fair bit.
Think single ppl on JSA have it the worst.

I work part time am a lone parent and the little extra I make is taken of me as have to pay half my rent full council tax etc so no not a lot better of than when I was claiming full benifits.
However the fact that I never have to visit a jobcentre again and be made to feel like scum for not working makes it worthwhile.

The problem is its easy to get a job-there are jobs

Do you have to bend over and take your trousers down when you speak?

Wtf?
There are Loads of jobs if you want them. Loads.

There's loads of available jobs in our area which is going through a boom. The local shops cafes and restaurants are crying out for people.

Or care homes. Guaranteed work.

Hmm.. maybe you should let all the people posting on MN that are struggling to find work know..
Might be worth remembering tho that your area doesn't equal everyone's area.

Or care homes. Guaranteed work.

You're a laugh riot.. I can only assume your joking or it's a worrying amount of idiocy on show..

Not everyone is cut out for care work. Do you want your elderly relatives cared for by someone who couldn't give a fuck and is doing it because they have too? Cause I wouldn't..

op there is a big chance your neighbours are on ESA and pip/DLA that will account for one getting the carers allowance

their income would be substantually higher on this than JSA

I agree there are lots of jobs, and pretending there aren't doesn't get anyone anywhere.
However, as a Pp pointed out, if you've got no money or support, making the transition from benefits to working can be really difficult. Your benefits stop, you have to pay to get to work, and then don't get paid for a month. Some people literally cannot do that.

You have to prove you're looking for work or get sanctioned.
I do wish people could do all this fairytale stuff on their £75 p.w

I was about to post and go off on a rant However Klutzy took the words out of mouth

She has only just got the award. It’s a progressive degenerative neurological life limiting disease she has. I want her to not have to worry about stuff like this.

Yeah she shouldn't have to worry about it. There is the option of appeal but there is a chance (albeit a small one) that the current award will be stripped. So that needs weighed up.

Also don't be surprised if she is called for another 'medical' in a year or so. Even when there is proof the illness will not get better, people are called in constantly, and often the award is stripped.

"How can you need care and give care-it doesnt make sense?"

Do you think having a disabled child gives you some sort of exemption from becoming disabled yourself?

Also there are different types of disability requiring different sorts of care needs.

Klutz some people arent 'cut out' for any work, ie they dont want to do it. If you go to the job centre there are databases full of jobs.
What is shit is the transition onto them.

The most common exscuse not to work is I have anxiety.
Some are genuine but I think a lot are not it just sounds better than saying I don't want to work.

And once again OP you cannot claim JSA and CA at the same time.

Klutz some people arent 'cut out' for any work, ie they dont want to do it.

Facts? Figures? Sources?
In fact, tell.me, how many long term unemployed are there right now in this country.. long term being over 1 years unemployed... 50000? 70000? How about 100000?... Have a stab at it.. have a Google.. office of national statistics is a good source.

I'll wait whilst you look.

Why would i need to do that?!
The number of long term unemployed has no correlation to the availability of jobs. There are numerous reasons for unemployment, one of which is a minority who dont want a job. But there are jobs.