Tks guys! I think another thing that may of helped was that whenever i spoke to someone, either at the job centre or those dealing with the sanction is to "remain calm" as the person you are dealing with is just doing their job, i think the system is at fault! Also i did mention that i had been given advise from consumer/watchdog type forums and that i had contacted my local MP (the names of which i left in my signing on booklet along with a link to the job seekers act) so they would see this when i sign on! Was a pity that the application time for the job i had applied for ran out before i knew there was a problem, as it would have been a decent job quite close to where i live Still... im not a lazy bum and im sure i'll find work soon

Happy ending! (sort of) Last week i put in for Hardship Allowance and today they phoned to ask a few questions, i'd asked about my appeal against the sanction and was promised that they would email those who were dealing with it and get them to contact me, they called me within half an hour to ask why i hadn't replied to a letter they sent! i was able to give them the details from the free proof of postage slip from the post office even though they never received it? They asked if i could answer the questions over the phone which i did, we then became aware that both our details for the job were different! Mine had an address and theirs had an email (good job i'd kept the print out from the job centre) seems the way to apply for the job had changed the same day. I presume my application (if they got it) was disregarded for the ones they had from the job centre sent by email. I was phoned back within 15 mins and told that the sanction was to be lifted, and i would be paid JSA back to the start of the sanction but that it may take up to a week to sort out. My advise to anyone who is claiming JSA is to keep all paperwork, record of phone calls, post office receipt's, and screen shots of email's sent. But im still confused as to why my mail is not reaching it's destination (even with proof of sending), im still in a battle with the DVLA over them not receiving a V5 (see the other thread i've posted in), so that's 3 letter's sent by post that have not made it to their destination (1x job application, 1x appeal to DWP, 1x DVLA). Any letter i send from now on will be sent from the post office only (never a post box) and i will always get a free proof of posting slip!

What's Caxton House? is there anything on the net about it, i've thought about contacting my local mp maybe i can do both!

Thanks girls, i'll claim hardship then for the time being! I don't have any money to wait for the appeal answer, and what's in the freezer won't last more than a week and i also need my bus fares as i work in a charity shop 3 days a week (voluntary) I honestly feel like standing outside the job centre car park with a "gis-a-job" placard.

Thanks for the idea's, the free proof of posting slip sounds good wonder if i can post all my letters at the post office rather than outside? off topic but.. i was in court today against the DVLA, they never got a v5 i sent back after selling a car, they asked why i didn't follow up not getting their receipt back and i told them that it was not a legal requirement, so they have adjourned the case (hopefully it will now be dropped) A free proof of posting may have helped here also! From now on i will be taking screen shots of cv's sent by email and online application apps, i will also be asking for an itemised phone bill. Today i went for an AJAX appointment to appeal against my jsa being stopped, but it was just a case of filling out another form as to why i disagreed with their decision not a one on one with a real person, i was told that if i had no money to live i could apply for a crisis loan or claim hardship allowance, i don't want to claim hardship before they make an appeal on my decision Because that would look like i was in the wrong, so i may try for a crisis loan I have also asked them to supply me with information about the process that led to the decision being reached in the first place. I won't lie down and take this, im not a bum! I apply for about 6 jobs per week, check all the job web site's, council, airport, put ads in the free papers, phone a list of different companies each week and have worked hard to lose 4 and a half stone in 1 year to get myself back into shape and fit enough to work. oops srry for the rant

Some weeks ago i was told that i had not followed up on a job from the job centre, i was asked to fill in a form stating how i replied to it i have now had my jsa stopped until august but have an appeal today. I did send a cv and i did want the job as it is quite close even though it was not what i'd normally work as, i can only tell them again today at the appeal that i did send a cv any advice? i've been told that if i lose my appeal i will have to apply for hardship allowance! i'll update later this afternoon.

@postggj theregister.co.uk/2010/05/03/dvla_court/ (sorry not made enough posts to give you the full link) Never having been to court in my life this cheered me up and gave me hope

I've been in court this morning! The DVLA wanted to fine me for them not receiving the v5 i sent back a year ago after selling my car, i ignored the fine and went to court, before you go into the actual courtroom you have a quick interview with an assistant in a small booth, they ask you if you understand why you are there and if you posted the v5 ect I told them that i had sent the v5 back to the dvla like i have done in my previous 30yr driving history the assistant told me that on the back of the v5 you are told to get in touch with them if you don't receive a receipt i replied that it was not a legal requirement for me to follow it up! The case was then adjourned for a month I'll let you know how things are going as soon as i hear back from them.