My mother receives Job Seekers Allowance without signing on

[makaveli2k]

At Twickenham Job Centre, they have been paying benefits to my mother without my mother signing on. My mother's job seekers advisor explains that my mother does not need to sign on as "hardly anyone signs on anymore".

 

I believe this is totally incorrect as a Job Seeker surely would have to sign an agreement in order to receive their benefits and must comply with the agreement in order to maintain their benefits. Otherwise a Job Seeker could receive their benefits and also obtain employment at the same time as they are not agreeing to any terms and conditions.

 

Can anyone confirm whether people have to sign on in order receive to benefits?

[Madamfluff]

How old is your mum, if she is over pension credit age which is 60 at the moment then its possible that she wont have to, when I was claiming couples JSA for me and my Husband he was not required to sign on or sign a job seekers agreement and was not required to go on the work programme, that was because he was 64. He signed a form to exempt him

[antone]

Of course JSA claimants need to sign on. Could she be receiving a different benefit, such as ESA?

[snowdragon]

hi, Sandy here ( B/C's o/h ) I had to sign on even though not entitled to any benefits what so ever as it was a joint claim, as I am now medical exempt and have to get " fit" notes from my GP I of course do not sign on, if I was doing I would be expected to be looking for work and I am 62 in October and like I say get nothing and not entitled to anything

[SabreSheep]

Attendance Allowance?

[makaveli2k]

My mother is 55 and has not signed an exempt form.

 

Furthermore, my mother is in receipt of JSA only.

 

I assumed that all JSA claimants had to sign on and I could not believe when my mother told me that her advisor stated that she does not need to sign anything in order to receive her benefit. I was so shocked when I heard this information that I asked my mother to tape record the JSA advisor to find out why she does not have to sign on in order to receive her benefits and the JSA advisor clearly states on tape that "hardly anyone signs on anymore".

 

From your response (antone) I believe something untowards is going on then.

[Madamfluff]

I don't understand I am 59 and had to sign on, they even put me on the work programme - luckily my Husband got his pension and I could sign off (and then got a job)

[matt v atos]

If your mother has been told this. Why is she getting letters to go to the job center is this not signing on.

[antone]

My mother is 55 and has not signed an exempt form.

 

Furthermore, my mother is in receipt of JSA only.

 

I assumed that all JSA claimants had to sign on and I could not believe when my mother told me that her advisor stated that she does not need to sign anything in order to receive her benefit. I was so shocked when I heard this information that I asked my mother to tape record the JSA advisor to find out why she does not have to sign on in order to receive her benefits and the JSA advisor clearly states on tape that "hardly anyone signs on anymore".

 

From your response (antone) I believe something untowards is going on then.

 

Eh, it's a weird thing for an adviser at the Jobcentre to say, yes. Is she part of a couple claim and somehow exempted because her partner signs? But it most certainly is not true that "hardly anyone signs on anymore". The vast majority of JSA claimants must either attend the Jobcentre (fortnightly or more often as required) or, if they live in the middle of nowhere then they might be able to sign by post.

[makaveli2k]

My mother is single and she is not exempted in anyway. She attends every two weeks and speaks to her adviser. On the previous two occasions my mother has requested to sign on and the adviser explains that my mother does not need to sign any paperwork whatsoever.

 

In the past my mother had to sign paperwork to receive her benefits, however, now the Job Seeker's adviser states that hardly anyone signs any paperwork anymore.

[matt v atos]

My mother is single and she is not exempted in anyway. She attends every two weeks and speaks to her adviser. On the previous two occasions my mother has requested to sign on and the adviser explains that my mother does not need to sign any paperwork whatsoever.

 

In the past my mother had to sign paperwork to receive her benefits, however, now the Job Seeker's adviser states that hardly anyone signs any paperwork anymore.

 

Thats means they could say she didnt turn up and what proof would she have none!

[antone]

My mother is single and she is not exempted in anyway. She attends every two weeks and speaks to her adviser. On the previous two occasions my mother has requested to sign on and the adviser explains that my mother does not need to sign any paperwork whatsoever.

 

In the past my mother had to sign paperwork to receive her benefits, however, now the Job Seeker's adviser states that hardly anyone signs any paperwork anymore.

 

Right, so she is being asked to attend, just not to actually sign the coupon. Well, I suppose that aspect of things could be in the process of changing - she should certainly ask the adviser if he or she has entered her "evidence" on the computer system, even if she's not being required to physically sign anything. It's the "evidence" update to the computer that actually triggers the JSA payment.

 

I haven't had to sign on for a year or so now - I wonder if any other members who are currently signing on have experienced what you describe.

[matt v atos]

I would be asking for a print out of the visit to be on the safe side.

[snowdragon]

no antone Bob still has to sign on every 2 weeks, ours is a joint claim

[antone]

no antone Bob still has to sign on every 2 weeks, ours is a joint claim

 

So he has to actually physically sign a piece of paper at each visit? That's certainly what I've been used to.

[snowdragon]

yes antone he signs a piece of paper and has to watch them put his claim through

[jasta11]

I'd definitely be wanting some proof that I'd attended - either a card of some sort bearing the date and the advisers signature, or create one of my own which I'd get them to sign and date.

 

At the very least, I'd want to watch them putting the payment through as confirmation - though no doubt they could possibly retract it after I'd left.

 

In this climate of 'sanction customers any way we can' I'd be very cautious of taking a JC advisers word about anything.

[worried33]

in my area years ago they started excempting many people as the job center got overwhelmed. This was a while back tho long before the WP existed. I think about 11 years ago now. Basically letters were given to people stating they didn't need to sign on until further notice. It lasted for several months, possibly over a year.

[Lapsed Workaholic]

You aren't the Duncan Smith family, are you?

 

 

When you discover how your mother does it I hope you let us all in on it.

[makaveli2k]

You aren't the Duncan Smith family, are you?

 

 

When you discover how your mother does it I hope you let us all in on it.

 

Haha, that's a good one.

 

I think the key point here is that my mother's job seekers advisor stated that "hardly anyone signs anymore," which from all your responses appears to be a complete lie.

 

Furthermore, it does not seem to be mistake either, as two different advisors at Twickenham Job Centre have confirmed that the mother does not need to sign in order to receive her benefits.

 

Based on all your responses, I believe something untowards could be going on and as a result, I will lodge a complaint and/or Judicial Review on behalf of my mother. Thanks for all your help.

[vinny47]

Op may want to check if his mother is taking part of any job signing trials I know some people have been advised they are no longer required to come to jobcentre every 2 weeks , just keep maintaining their job search logs and the jobcentre reserved the right to call you in if required

[Mr.P]

Furthermore, it does not seem to be mistake either, as two different advisors at Twickenham Job Centre have confirmed that the mother does not need to sign in order to receive her benefits.

 

I would recommend getting this statement in writing on headed DWP paper (with a manager's signature) - Always worth having written evidence should things go wrong in the future.

[makaveli2k]

Just a final update to conclude this thread.

 

I can confirm that my mother made a complaint to DWP and as a result DWP have confirmed that all job seekers must sign on in order to receive their benefits.

 

My mother's Job Seekers Advisor has done a complete U-turn and has made my mother sign for the previous two signing dates that he wouldn't allow my mother to sign before.

 

I believe this was an attempt by the Job Centre to cut my mother's benefits. Thanks for all your help.