Hi everyone, my name is Louise, I'm 32 and a lone parent of two children, aged 11 and 5.
I am writing this post because firstly I would appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar position, and also to advise fellow parents in my situation.
On the 30th of November I contacted my local Jobcentre I was concerned that I had received no information regarding my switch to Jobseeker's Allowance from Income Support; this was information I urgently needed as my son was going to turn 5 on the 5th of December. I was given an appointment to attend on the 3rd of December with a Lone Parent Advisor.
I attended this appointment, and was told that as I hadn't received a Work Focused Interview (?) in the prior 6 weeks, that my switch would be deferred to January, with my IS ending on the 8th and me signing on to JSA on the 9th. She gave me an appointment letter confirming this (which I have thankfully kept!)
Anyhoo, 2 days later, on the 7th, I received a letter informing me that my IS claim would end on the 2nd of January. I phoned the LPA but she was unavailable, eventually got through yesterday, she said, and I quote, "oh, they don't know their arse from their elbow" and said she would sort it and call me back. So, 3 hours later, she calls back, full of apologies, telling me that my original booked sign on to JSA (which she arranged) would no longer be going ahead as there had been a change in procedures on the 19th of November which she had not been informed of, and that I would need to apply for JSA on the 3rd of January (online)!
So I was all set to do that; then I get home last night to a letter telling me that my IS was stopped on the 5th of December and I would now need to apply for JSA (immediately!) This letter was dated the 5th of December, yet I didn't receive it until yesterday (the 11th).
I phoned Jobcentre Plus; the man I spoke to didn't have a clue, the only advice he could give me was to immediately apply for JSA online (which I did); he said that I should have no problem getting my claim backdated to the 5th as I was given "incorrect and conflicting information" (wasn't I just!) The main reason that I don't want a break in my benefit is that I am keen as mustard to get out to work and the back to work bonus and £40 a week top-up will be of a huge help to me; if there is a break in benefit you do not get this.
So today I find myself waiting for the Jobcentre to call me to arrange a sign-on day; they are supposed to call back within 48 hours but with this recent experience my faith in what they promise to deliver is somewhat shaken! I have also received yet another letter today, dated the 6th December, telling me AGAIN that my IS claim would end on the 5th December. Funny that because they paid me it yesterday!
If anyone has been in a similar position I would really appreciate your advice.
My own piece of advice to any single parent in my position is to (if you can) take out a Budgeting Loan to the maximum amount a couple of weeks before your child's 5th birthday. I am so glad that I did this; I did it purely for the reason that reading around on the Internet has shown me that similar situations to mine are incredibly common, in some cases are not being resolved for weeks on end and that some parents are having to make the choice between putting the heating on and eating! Also please ensure that you keep EVERY LITTLE THING they give you or send you; you never know when you might need it!
Kind regards to all,
Louise x