To think paying tax on jobseekers allowance is just crap

[20thcenturygirlwithherhandsonthewheel]

I was made redundant a few months ago. I have worked just under 30 years and never claimed any benefits before. DH and I have always saved to make sure that we have money aside just in case of emergencies (especially as housing benefits don’t pay the mortgage), so we have over £16k in savings and can’t claim anything means tested.

fair enough.

the only benefit I could claim when unemployed was contribution based jobseekers allowance: a massive £93 a week that I could only claim for 6 months.

thankfully I was only unemployed for 8 weeks. But to my surprise I’ve just recieved a letter from HMRC telling me that the paltry £93 a week was taxable. So really; probably will end up about £70 a week.

really pissed off: being putting money in the kitty for 30 years but getting so little when we needed it

Anyone can do the mortgage charter - regardless of what type of claimant, employed, not employed, it's literally no questions asked.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/mortgage-charter-support/#interestonly

I agree, that's why I don't even mention it. If you mention it, it suggests that it bothers you, and it's actually something where you can take action. As you say, there are loads of 'niggles' in life, but most of those are things we can't control.

I used to be a benefits advisor, so this is a subject I feel very strongly about. PIP is notoriously hard to get and I get very upset when deserving people get turned down and have to ask for a mandatory reconsideration. Most of those are unsuccessful, so people then have to go to tribunal which is funded by the taxpayer. Over 60% of claimants win at appeal, which only goes to show that the system isn't fit for purpose. Thankfully, Scotland have seen sense and have brought the assessments back in-house, rather than outsourcing them, so hopefully things will improve.

This is interesting. I asked my mortgage provider (NatWest) whether this would be an option while I am on unpaid portion of MAT leave and they said they don’t offer it!

I believe that it’s hard to get IF you don’t know the right way to word things. But some people really know how to game it. Other people really desperately need it and have to jump through hoops. Personally I think it should be a doctors opinion that counts on this. Not some pen pusher at ATOS or Maximus

I believe that it’s hard to get IF you don’t know the right way to word things. But some people really know how to game it. Other people really desperately need it and have to jump through hoops. Personally I think it should be a doctors opinion that counts on this. Not some pen pusher at ATOS or Maximus

Atos (now IAS)/Maximus do the assessments, but then a DWP Decision Maker decides on the award based on the assessment. Personally, I believe it should all be brought back in-house again so that everything is done by the DWP. This is what Scotland are doing now. When over 60% of decisions are being overturned at tribunal, something is seriously wrong with the system.

I agree that the wording is crucial. I help a lot of people with their PIP claims, but then they need to know what to say at their assessment as otherwise they quickly undo all my hard work! The assessor will try to catch them out at every turn. I certainly never lie on a claim form, but I do do my best to make a good case.

I recently helped a young person with relapsing/remitting MS . They were really struggling with their condition. I completed the PIP claim form on their behalf and advised them to keep me posted all along the way. There is no point in giving them all the information at the start because there is too much for them to remember. They didn't keep me posted, so went off for their face-to-face assessment without telling me. They were awarded zero points which is absolutely ridiculous! Now they have got to request a mandatory reconsideration. If the decision isn't overturned, they will have to go to tribunal. All at the taxpayers cost.

So are you saying you write one thing on the form then at their assessment they go and say something completely different ? Surely if the truth is being told those things will be the same ? The assessor will consider what is written on the form, what is said at assessment and the medical evidence.

They phrase things differently, or ask unexpected questions which throw the already nervous claimant off course. Or the assessor will 'make a mistake'. It's a bit easier these days because you can request an audio recording, but you have to request this at every point of contact as otherwise it gets 'forgotten'. With my MS claimant I put that request on the form, but I doubt they remembered to remind the assessors so, as far as I know, it wasn't recorded.

I will give you another example of the system (not PIP). At the beginning of last year I was helping a couple (husband and wife) who both needed to claim Contribution based ESA. Due to ill-health, they both got let go by their respective employers. I knew what they should be claiming and I double-checked this with a benefit calculator. They got called into the Jobcentre and were told they should be claiming UC, so their ESA claims were cancelled. Wrong benefit and less money! They hadn't bothered to tell me about that appointment as otherwise I would have told them to ring me if there were any problems.

I then spent an entire afternoon sorting this out. We were advised that it would take too long to get it changed, so I had to do the ESA claims again!

This is the kind of person I’m talking about.

and I know a few of them that I grew up with!

www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/36235180/benefits-queen-horse-designer-vagina/?utm_campaign=sunmainfacebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMIUuZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHiIdCgrl1BExrb2i-4d4y6vXLXYy0HKyqwI4omUQP60wzG8Mtnb_fhB-13bg_aem_5UueN3J0cFhN_IcQoGjwBg

They are really not generous. The 12-point checklist for PIP (I think it 12 points) is really intense, intrusive and hyperfocused. It asks questions such as "Can you walk unaided?" "Can you go to the toilet alone?" It doesn't ask "Are you anxious?" or anything of the ilk. Then an independent assessor contacts your hospital consultant to verify your answers. No medic will risk their reputation and confirm falsehoods. I'm not saying this to have a go but to clear up myths. A few people say they earn "thousands" but scrutinise those claims with a little cynism and they fall apart. The government want people to believe this rhetoric, rather than face uncomfortable truths.

To be more accurate, the assessors very rarely contact doctors as they have to pay! That's why you are advised to provide as much evidence as possible with your claim, such as a prescription lists, doctor's letters etc.

A bit off topic but it's really quite bad to use social care as a dumping ground for people who have been forced off benefits and to get a job.

But maybe that's because the people who receive the services aren't really in a position to complain.

And realistically, while most places appear short staffed the reality is often that the company is cutting costs, and so although service is dire, they're not looking to expand the workforce any time soon and when they have to, who are they going to go with? The person who's been out of a job for decades and it's clear they're being forced to apply for everything going, or the enthusiastic person who's at least worked recently or already in a job and knows what they're doing? Who would you rather be served by? Who would you rather looked after your vulnerable relatives?

Absolutely!
I know a man who is in his mid 50s and last worked when he was in his 20s. That was before schizophrenia took old and wrecked his life. Recently, he had his ESA reassessed and he was found fit for work. Whenever I see him (we both go to a Mind drop in group), he is a asleep due to the meds he is on. His work coach has told him to apply for care jobs. This man can hardly care for himself. It is ridiculous.

You're still providing information that can't be made up though. I understand it's a contentious subject but the reality of living with a disability and needing state help is actually pretty grim. I would prefer to work.

This is a really powerful example

I absolutely agree. Like you, I am disabled and used to work as a volunteer benefits advisor for a local charity. From time to time I still help friends/family with claim forms. It still amazes me that some people think they can just rock up for their assessment and all will be well. Most assessors will try to catch you out in any way they can.

Agree, but jobseekers allowance is government money, so if they want to claw some back that is up to them- most benefits count as income ,so they are subject to income tax.