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hi there, i really need help and info please..
im a single mother with a 12 yold son, i take him to school at 8am and pick him up at 2.50,, the job centre has told me i must attend a MWA and i recieved the letter today (sat 30/3/13) to start on 3/4/13... its the easter holidays and ive had no time to arrange anything for my son, i have no family that can help me and the job they want me to attend is over an hour away and that was just by looking on a bus route timetable so that doesnt include traffic. it starts at 9-4 so i wont be back till atleast 6pm...what about my son??? im also Deaf but apparently that doesnt count as anything?? please i need info
also its easter hols and i cant contact anyone to get advice, (my mother has to phone on my behalf as like i said im deaf)
thanks ange
thank you Hazeleyes, i havnt got anyone to have him, mum is disabled and my dad works and lives over 1hr n half away, its just so frustrating to get this letter today when it was dated 21st march?? makes my blood boil, thank you anyway and ill go job centre on tues x
I hope they manage to sort something for you ange. I think these people are certainly sent to try us
Good luck with it all.
Hi Ange, how ridiculous to get this letter at such short notice. Within the rules, you son is now older and could reasonably be expected to get home and let himself in but to be left on his own for the whole day during the holidays then that is awful, and as you will know there is no viable childcare for children over 11...and even in termtime then to be at home 3-6 might be something you are not happy with.
I am sorry to hear that you have no-one to help with him, this is something I would recommend you try to fix as soon as possible, as this is likely to be a recurring issue. Does he have any friends? Could you offer to have one of them for a sleepover in return for the other parent watching over him when you need it? He is old enough to go to your Mum's on his own after school but not many boys are happy to sit for three hours playing cards etc while she watches him, if she is disabled and can't do anything physically.
I would also recommend that you start to do some life skills stuff with your boy so that he learns about safety matters, what to do in an emergency, how to make a sandwich etc as this is all stuff he will need to do when he is on his own, which will happen more and more in the next year or two.
BUT that does not solve your original problem, and sadly it seems as if only the job centre people can help you with this. Good luck!!!!
ange46. That's horrible to get such a letter during the holidays when you can't do anything about it. I'm shocked and sad at some of the things that are happening now. Be strong and don't let it spoil you and your sons Easter.
Louse. For arguments sake what would happen if a single mother was forced to leave a child or children unattended against her wishes or what she thought was in the best interest of her child and then an accident happened? It might be argued that she wasn't "forced" to leave a child unattended. But the reality may be if a mother has no one else to look after the child and will be left without the means (money) to survive she would have little choice. Also what about if a child was scared of being left alone. I don't feel that childrens needs are being met or respected here.
Would a mother really be sanctioned if she refused to leave her child alone because she didn't believe it to be safe? Can this question even be asked without benefits being withdrawn for... what is the minimum time (4 weeks?). ie can a mother say "I'm not going to attend x because I have no one to leave my child with. Will I be sanctioned?" or is the only option simply to not attend or say you won't attend and give a reason and wait and see if all benefits will be withdrawn.
I hope I've made this question clear because I think it's important. Mothers would be more likely to ask the first question because it carries no risk. They can make a descision based on the answer. But if it's left unclear it will be more likely that they will leave a child alone because they fear punishment even if they wouldn't have been forced to do so.
Hi ange46, good luck today, we will be interested to hear how this gets resolved.
Pam, you may be interested in the response from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when we asked our local MP to enquire about similar questions to yours.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2013-02-27a.144828.h&s=speaker%3A11455#g144828.q0
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what
proportion of Work programme providers only provide appointments during
school hours.
Written Answers - Work and Pensions: Work Programme: Lone Parents (27 Feb 2013)
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2013-02-27a.144829.h&s=speaker%3A11455#g144829.q0
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what
his Department's policy is on whether a lone parent is referred for
benefit sanctions for missing a Work programme appointment as a result
of their caring responsibilities.
Hi Anna,
Just like to say everyone at one space is doing a great job and thank you for the quick response to my questions 
This is what I found on the links for anyone interested.
Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of Work programme providers only provide appointments during school hours.
Mark Hoban (Fareham, Conservative)
The Department does not specify the appointment system that Work programme providers should operate. Work programme providers have flexibility to offer a personalised approach based on a participant's circumstances to help them back to work.
-----
Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's policy is on whether a lone parent is referred for benefit sanctions for missing a Work programme appointment as a result of their caring responsibilities.
Mark Hoban (Fareham, Conservative)
Sanctions will not be imposed without good reason. If a participant fails to attend an appointment, the provider will first discuss the reasons with the participant and seek practical solutions to any problems that have prevented attendance. It will be for the provider to decide whether or not to refer the circumstances to Jobcentre Plus. All decisions on benefit sanctions are made by Jobcentre Plus decision makers, based on the circumstances of each individual case.
----
My interpretation of this is that the work programme providers do have some discretion when they schedule appointments or activities. They also have descretion when deciding whether the reasons for not attending are valid or not. If the providers think that the reasons given are not valid then the case is put before "desicion makers" at jobcentre plus who look at things on a case by case basis. Have I got that right?
If the work programme providers only schedule appointments etc during school hours all well and good (as long as the child isn't sick or other circumstances make attendance difficult). But they are not obliged to do this. But it's clear that they can and do schedule appointments and activities outside school hours.
This leaves parents in a tricky situation if they haven't got childcare or are not happy to leave their child alone (I know I wouldn't be happy to leave my children alone). They have two options.
1) They can not attend and explain why and hope that their decision is judged reasonable. Although to me not being happy to leave children alone is a good reason there are no rules about this. Therefore this option although on the surface is reasonable it comes with a huge risk. The parent could be left with no means to support the child.
2) leave the child alone.
I'm not sure what option I would take. I wouldn't want to leave my child alone and I wouldn't want to risk not being able to provide support.
Also if a parent does leave a child alone although they have been pressured to do so it is still their "choice". If anything goes wrong presumably it is their "fault".
I hope I'm getting something wrong here? If not we live in scary times.
thank you everyone x my mother phoned the seetec company that i was meant to be attending today and the advisor told her that the job centre HAD NOT sent them any details about me having a son of 12 or that im deaf...they are now saying i will be starting on the 16th april after the holidays have ended and also they were asked to send me somewhere nearer to my home, just to get there was 3 buses and to get home would of taken me 2 hours min..
also the hours will be reduced, the woman said the job centre are sending 200 people a week to them, i wonder how cost affective this is as i assume the seetec company are being paid, just another government scheme to say theyve cracked down on unemployment..
but my job centre are NOT helpful at all, they are rude, totally unaware of peoples disabilitys and one woman even laughed at me because i pronounced a word wrong and made a point of laughing with the security man at how i pronounced it.. i reported this and i was called in and they said they would deal with this matter..
Nothings changed, when i see my advisor he told me there was nothing wrong with my hearing as i could hear him...i lip read.. all i can hear is very loud sounds due to being fitted with a hearing aid, (my right ear has no ear drum due to an accident in 2007 ) when i told him this he said well theres no reason you cant use the phone, i can hear you clearly....i laughed in disbelief at what he was saying and said...so how do i know what you are saying to me??? do the job centre use video calls now?? he said oh yer and then laughed..
i hate signing on..they treat us like dirt, ive worked all my life, im a trained teaching assistant and a qualified electrictian but they still look and treat me like im an idiot...the stress they have caused me is debilitating
sorry for the rant 
Hi Ange
If you want to get more legislation and clarification regarding the DWP I belong to the Consumer Action Group. They have a forum HMRC and Benefits, there a couple of underground DWP employees who assist anyone with JCP/DWP and Work Programme issues.
Good luck. Have to say I am with Ingeus and I have been always treated fairly, but it hasn't been the case for others at different offices.
Hi Ange
If you want to get more legislation and clarification regarding the DWP I belong to the Consumer Action Group. They have a forum HMRC and Benefits, there a couple of underground DWP employees who assist anyone with JCP/DWP and Work Programme issues.
Good luck. Have to say I am with Ingeus and I have been always treated fairly, but it hasn't been the case for others at different offices.
Ange46
Glad that things are sorted with Seetec. I assume that this is the Work Programme rather than Mandatory Work Activity (which is work experience organised by the Jobcentre). Quite right that they have taken account of your caring needs and scheduled appointments accordingly. It is really important that restrictions about your working houring and job preparation details are written into your Job Seeking Agreement (this is soon going to be called a Claimant Commitement). Details of your hearing issues should be included (as you state certain jobs which involve the use of the phone might be more challenging). I am sorry that the Jobcentre have been unhelpful (and rude!). They have a duty to promote equality of opportunity for you and should take account of your hearing problems (this is written into law through a statutory public sector equality duty in relation to disability). They should help you and let you know what additional support might be open to you when you get work (such as work adaptations). As for being rude, well that is just rude! Complain about your treatment. You should be treated with dignity and respect.
I know on this occasion the appointment times have been rescheduled. Whilst your son is still 12 you have the right to restrict your hours of activity (preparing and moving into work) to school hours. When he reaches 13 you may still be able to restrict your hours to take account of your caring needs. You will need to negotiate this with your adviser. Again get these things written into your jobseekers agreement.
I agree that leaving older children home alone is a difficult issue and one which I have raised with the DWP (that run jobcentres) and raised in the media http://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/1044596/single-parents-advice-leaving-children-unattended. I think that parents are best placed to know whether a child can be left alone and for how long. As a parent you have the legal responsibility for the safety of your child until they reach 16.
Hope this helps and hope it all goes well on the 16th April (Seetec also need to comply with the equality duty and must adapt services for your needs).
Laura
span, no the 4 week course is Mandatory Work Activity? not a work programme? x
thank you Helly13 x
also ive been out of paid work for 18months but was doing voluntry up until 6months ago, i thought mwa was for people that were long term unemployed?? is 6 months long term?? on the information my advisor gave me it says to build my work related skills?? i am trained and have skills that are not rusty..ive got confidence as i used to take a class of 30 four year olds as a teaching assistant... i just feel hes picking on me...i know i know im an adult but my last advisor said i was doing everything i could to get a job and she saw me every 6 weeks to check if i was ok, this advisor sees me every other week to when i sign so im at job centre every week... and asks me to think about other jobs i could do that is more appropriate to my hearing... i told him im a trained T.A but he says "well why did you leave that job then?" i told him it was because i was coming to terms with my hearing loss and had a break down..but that i had gone back as a volunteer up until 6months ago...thats when he said he was sending me on this MWA
Ange it appears to be commonplace now. There are people who have been signing on for four weeks only to find they have been placed on the MAN WA. It's a clear case of those higher above are trying to put claiments under such pressure they sign off-down goes the figures-hey presto!
sadly its single mothers who are getting the raw end, so frustrating Helly x
Ange46
Again it is inappropriate someone being rude to you at the Jobcentre. They should help you move into work that makes the most of your skills and experience.
Have they said what the work activity through Seetec is going to involve? Could they get you a placement in a school as you have the experience there? What help will Seetec offer in terms of working with employers to make sure that they take account of your needs?
Let me know how you get on the 16th April.
well the job i was meant to be doing was in a homeless shelter nowhere near where i live, 80% of people that work there are volunteers so i cant see a work placement coming out of it for me and also just say they did offer me a job its way too far away,
im getting my new placement this week so ill let you all know what my fate is xx
Laura,
I've just read the linked article about the "mixed messages" given by job centres about leaving children unattended. Some excellent points were raised. The problem with these mixed messages is that a parent can be persuaded to leave a child alone even when they feel it may not be safe or in the best interests of the child (or even children).
The persuasion can be strong. I lost count of the times I was asked "Can't you just leave them" but it always fell short of "You must just leave them". I always answered "No that would be wrong" but believe me it took a bit of bluff bravery to do so. Ha ha! But I can certainly understand why parents would feel that they were being told that they had to. But then if things do go wrong because of the mixed messages presumably it would be argued that it's the parents fault. Not the advisers or a fault with policy because they didn't directly instruct them to leave the child alone.
Sadly almost on a daily basis the rules appear to be getting harsher.
ange46. Good luck with your new placement
Pam,
I agree. I feel strongly that it should not be advisers who make the decision about whether you should leave your child. I will continue to campaign on this important issue.
Laura
Laura, You are doing a great job
hi everyone, well they changed my hours for mwa but the place is so far away from where i live that it takes an hour and forty mins to get home?? it ends at 2pm and my son comes out of school at 2,50...i would never beable to make it, its 3 buses to get there, i do drive but the place is in the london congestion zone and that would be an extra 8pound ontop of fuel and parking fees??? this all doesnt make sense to me??
well im off to sign on now and get spoken down too like a 3 year old xx
well i signed on and told them about the times, they phoned the company up thats running the mwa and they said there is not a mwa nearer me so i have to do it and they have cut my hours to 10-1 but ive now got to "make up the hours" and so ive got to do atleast 5 weeks...i wasnt happy and asked them if there would be anyone there that understands my hearing needs and the advisor said "well we are having a conversation so i dnt see your problem?" i told her thats because she was standing a foot away from me and i was lip reading..she said, "well i cant see a problem" and then she walked away...
i feel so let down and worn out, im hoping that the 3 buses will be on time otherwise my son will be left waiting at the school gate..
also infront of the desk i signed at was a white board with MWA written at top and all the names of the advisors with targets to reach for MWA, i feel like we are just numbers and quotas and not human beings with different needs
Hi ange46, it is not a nice experience is it.
Firstly I hope you have a record of everything that has been said to you in the Jobcentre with regards how the employees have responded to your hearing difficulties, as I may well feel inclined to take it to the manager or even your local MP.
It is good that they have cut your hours, albeit meaning that you will have to go for longer. I am wondering whether your son has a friend that he could go and visit after school so that you don't have the added pressure of worrying that you might be late for him. What do you think?
ange46,
That sounds incredibly stessful! You are expected to get three buses there and three buses back with all the worry of perhaps being late for your son. Then you have the added worry about not knowing if the work will be suitable for someone with a hearing problem. Maybe people at the placement will be more reasonable and helpful. Most people are reasonable and I know I wouldn't be happy making use of a "volunteer" if I knew how difficult and inappropriate the travel was. If the worry affects your health it might be worth discussing it with your GP because you need to be strong for your son. x
Hi Ange46
I can only think that your local democratic councillor is the best place to go.
They work confidentially and can be contaccted via your town hall via the switchboard. In Haringey it's called councillor services. They will ask for your postcode.
Your GP may be able to call on your behalf. If you attend a hospital then Patient Advice and Liason may have some help.
the disability alliance and Royal National Institute for Deaf also
wonderwoman 1951
Thank you wonderwoman 1951!
hi everyone, heres the update..
well i started the mwa, it took me 3 buses and just under 2 hours to get there, there were about 25 of us all waiting in a large dinner hall for the people to come and have a talk with us... the hall were were told to wait in was the dinner hall for the homeless people, who were all sitting there too... it was very uncomfortable as some of these people obviously have drinking problems and i felt rather unsafe there. anyway after we all waited an hour..a woman came in the room and told us to all go home as it was cancelled...most of us had already bought a weekly bus pass and im still waiting for that to be refunded..
i have now been sent a new place to go and its even further to go??? ive got to walk to train station,,a good 25min walk..then get a train to london then walk to tube and get a tube, then i got to get a bus...i live in Eltham se9...the placement is islington n7...
my job centre is no help at all and are still so rude to me...
is anyone else being treated the same way as i feel its just me
That is an absolute disgrace, Ange. I will highlight this to Laura, our Parliamentary Officer, who is collecting facts about this whole issue. My friend's children are grown up now but after she was made redundant she was told she nad to apply for jobs on night shifts, she is nearly 60 years old. AND YET it seems to me that I know lots of people who appear to escape the whole draconian thing. I wonder why and how?
ange46.
Clearly you are being treated with little respect. A short while ago as a single parent you were considered to be doing an important job. Now you have been re-classified as unemployed and your job as a mother is given little recognition. Shocking that you were not contacted and told that the course had been cancelled before you made a long and stressful journey. It was as if your time is of no importance. I have no idea why you should be given another placement so far away. It almost appears vindictive. Sadly I'm sure your not the only one recieving this harsh treatment. You sound like a very strong person. Hopefully you will get a job soon and not have to jump all these hoops.
Louise.
That's shocking about your friend. This problem of older unemployed women will only get worse as the pension age increases to 66, 67, 68. We are told that people are living longer but I have doubts about what sort of work older people will be capable of doing without it having a negative impact on health. Definately not night duty although I doubt many firms would take on older people in such roles. Of course this won't stop job centres forcing them to apply.
I think this issue is relevant to all women including single parents. They are a group who spend a large part of their working life being restricted by child rearing constraints and are less likely to have built up private pensions. Also they would until recently expect to be able to collect a state pension at 60 and won't have made provisions for their 60's. I know because I expect to have this problem myself.
Back to why and how some people manage to escape the "whole draconian thing" that ange46 faces. I would be happy to think there was a way out. Maybe strong people can cope with being made to jump through hoops and being treated as if they are of little importance but not everyone is that strong. The stress will make people ill.
I wonder if all those who voted through the move from income support to job seekers allowance had been aware of exactly how single parents would be treated once they were "jobseekers" if the bill would have been passed so easily. All the talk at the time was about protection of children, Mothers only having to work 16 hours during the school day and not at all during holidays if there was no suitable childcare. But all the protection appears to have been removed at the same time as Mothers of children as young as 5 have to comply. Once a child reaches the age of 13 it appears that they hardly count as children any more.
Sorry for the rant... It helps to get it out sometimes
louise and pam, thank you both so much, it really does make me feel a lil better knowing that its not just in my head!!! i also wonder about the people that seem to get away with everything??? there is a drunk n druggie who lives on my estate(45ish) who i know has never worked and has no children and one day we signed on at the same time..he walked to his desk signed on n left...no questions asked...i was there 30mins being scrutinized about the jobs i was looking for and he kept asking me to reconsider the jobs i was looking for for something more appropriate to my hearing needs(no he wasnt saying it caring) i told him im a trained certificated teaching assistant and had been for 6 years...he waved it off n said he will call me back in a weeks time to allow me to consider my options...i went back and he said well??? i said under the disability discrimination act by law an employer will have to take me on with my hearing disability...he shut up after that...im tempted to write all this down n send it somewhere??? im on anti depressents due to my hearing as i have panic attacks in some situations but thank the gods i am because i think this would have done me in..
Gosh ange46 this is shocking isn't it. Definitely write everything down, you could take it to your MP, you could take a copy to the JC manager.
It sounds as though you are being treated very unfairly. I have to say I still don't understand how 'some' people have managed to slip through the net of being kicked back into work, middle aged men with no responsibilities, it all seems very odd to me.
well after having a meeting with the seetec people who arrange this mwa with the job centre, they have found a route for me to take to get to north london that will take 1h28mins..thats alot of walking and a train journey and 2 tubes...apparently on the job seekers allowance agreement, we signed it saying we could travel 1hr30s to a job, so thats why im being sent there as its only 1hr 28mins...ive looked on my agreement i signed n i cant see anywhere that says 1hr30mins...
so ill be starting it next thursday...for 4weeks at £21.80 per week travel paid in advance from me that i can collect after each week and not before....
10-2pm....oh she realized that the times dnt match up with school times so i can get there late and leave early...ill be there for 2 hours..so im now doing it for 5-6weeks so I CAN MAKE UP THE TIME BECAUSE ITS SOOO FAR AWAY??????
well ive had a good cry and im resigned to it. good luck anyone else x
Oh my goodness that is ridiculous, very clever of them to find a route that takes 1 hour 28 mins, however I would argue that buses and tube trains do not always run on time. I think it might be worth timing it.
It would also be a good idea to have a plan for if you are running late, who will collect your child from school etc.
Unfortunately it is there is a clause in JSA that says work can be up to 1.5 hours away and that includes any MWA, have a look at this document Single Parents moving onto JSA.
Ange46
This really does make sense. So much traveling for so little work experience! The one and a half hours travel is also not set in stone and should take account of your circumstances. The limited hours that you are expected to work because of your caring responsibilities should be taken into account in your agreement and in the work experience arrangements.
I have raised the issue about journey times with Politicians including those people that are allowed to limit their working hours. I will raise your example (not sharing your personal details) when I can with MP's. I agree that you should complain and that you should contact the JCP manager. In terms of doing the MWE for 6 weeks will this also take you to half term? Make sure that they take your child's needs into account and not expect you to travel all week during half term.
Laura
Apologies I meant to say this really does not make sense! Blame late Friday afternoon brain.
Hi Ange46,
I am sure those "seetec people" have got their journey calculations wrong! I reckon to do all that walking, catch a train and then take two tubes it will take at the very least 2 hours and 12 minutes. Next Thursday when you go keep a record of every stage of the journey and I'm sure you will see that I'm correct.
Of course this means you will be late for your MWA. I know you are a hard working sensible person who would never deliberately be late but it will not be your fault. It is the fault of the seetec people who are unable to calculate journey times correctly. Apologise for being late and explain your reason. You might have to explain quite quickly because you will also have to inform them that you will have to leave at 12.38 so that you can pick your son up from school. Say that you don't have anyone who is prepared to provide you with free childcare therefore you have to be there yourself.
You should then inform the jobcentre that this MWA is unsuitable because the journey time is 44 minutes longer than the maximum time required. Show them the record of the notes you took to record the times. Say that you are dissapointed as you had hoped that the MWA would have improved your career prospects and say how you hope they will be able to arrange something suitable soon. Don't forget to claim your travel expenses. 
Pam, high five for that post! 
Ange, it sounds like a plan...what do you think?
Hi Ladies
From my undestanding the journey time starts from the second you step outside your house to second you step inside the premises of the building. If you have a vehicle journey alloted joourney time would take you further than if relying on public transport.
Good luck Ange it make my blood boil too how they can treat you so dismissively. I have to say as a Work Prgramme attendee I have been treated fairly and with respect. I am with Ingeus in North Sefton (can't say exact location). I am due to finish with them in July so I am now lining up voluntary work with a new charity shop that is opening at the bottom of my road, this will stop the DWP sending me to a distant charity unsuitable to my skill set!
pam & louise lol x im going to time it and i did say what about if any one of those links are late then im going to be late.for all the connections?? but all the seetec woman said was..im sure they will be flexable...i think all im going to get is..anytime ur late or leave early i will have.to add it onto the next available day...i feel like its a debt that i owe and any non payments will be aded on at the end..if that makes sense???
it still dnt make sense to me that a single parent has to travel this far?? and surely the mwa should state that its 4 weeks min?? and also why send us so far that its impossible to do the times set thus making us do more time there??? i feel so punished and frustrated...i want to check the mwa in my next borough as its.only a.couple of.miles away from me...would be amusing if they had mwa that was only a few miles away??!!!!!
pam & louise lol x im going to time it and i did say what about if any one of those links are late then im going to be late.for all the connections?? but all the seetec woman said was..im sure they will be flexable...i think all im going to get is..anytime ur late or leave early i will have.to add it onto the next available day...i feel like its a debt that i owe and any non payments will be aded on at the end..if that makes sense???
it still dnt make sense to me that a single parent has to travel this far?? and surely the mwa should state that its 4 weeks min?? and also why send us so far that its impossible to do the times set thus making us do more time there??? i feel so punished and frustrated...i want to check the mwa in my next borough as its.only a.couple of.miles away from me...would be amusing if they had mwa that was only a few miles away??!!!!!
thanks helly, so wen i go on the work programme,which my job centre has already gave me the info saying i am..can i make.my own arrangments for voluntry work??? ive tried to get more info on what it actually is but i cant find any..
would be fine to find my own placment as i did voluntry work b4 all this mwa came around x
Hi Ange,
I have never been forced to do any placements whilst on the Work Programme, hoever everyones stories are different. I would have a look at the consumer action group forum to see how people have different experiences. You can still do voluntary work whilst with the WP provider, just make sure you make both the DWP and the provider aware and fill out a form for voluntary work for the DWP. Will it be Seetec to whom you will be placed, I saw that name mentioned?
funny shud say that caus i re read ur comment and u said about ur with ingeus and i presume they do the same as seetec....so wat im tryin to say is....am i still going to be with them on the wp??? if so im well n truely f#%ked as the mwa im going on is the nearest they got to me???
When you go in to see the DWP for the WP hand over sign paper work you will be told which provider you will be going with. I think it could be either Seetec or Ingeus.
All providers work within the same basic delivery module. However it is down to the individual advisor as to how they treat the 'clients'. Regarding the charity work you are mandated on I think that would have to finish before going on the WP. Have you thought of volunteering at a local Primary, this will keep your skills up to date, and stop the WP putting you on any charity work which won't be suitable. How long have you been claiming JSA?
been claiming 18months and was in primary school for 6 years b4 that,left due to havin accident n losing my hearing thru it,very stressful time but because i speak normal and lip read, the job centre tell me im fine and that i can easilly understand them( which i cant) i already complained about a member of staff a while ago because she took the pee out of the way i pronounced a word because iv lost some of the pronounciations of some words,i saw a supervisor but nothings changed.very rude and theyve got no idea about disabilitys...i even showed them my hearingaid but it makes no diference...all of them are the same x
This system is disgusting. The people behind it, and those at the job centre forcing mothers to do this should be strung up!!
They told me to quit my part time study (which I've nearly completed, and which will help me get a job) in order to work for free in a charity shop. I already have great references.
I complained about this to the manager and they immediatley stopped my money!! Now they've written to me saying they're not going to give me any more money and not even given a reason why.
Surely they're acting illegally, it is definately immoral as I'm studying under 16 hours, and I'm actively looking for work. I've only been claiming four months!
I'm worried that cos they stopped the JSA I'll loose my home as claiming HB too:(
Evil people, nothing but evil.
Hello swiss721
First of all your Housing Benefit should not be affected as this is based on your income, not on whether you are working or not. (EDIT: it seems however that some people have found it has been-wrongly-stopped, so do get in touch with the HB people just in case)
Laura, our Parliamentary officer is campaigning with the powers that be about the Work Programme, as you will see above.
Have you contacted your own MP about their actions? Did they tell you about an appeal process?
Ange46 that is disgusting that your pronounciation of a word was mocked. In fact that sounds to me like it could be a top-class complaint. Have you had private contact with Laura? You can email her on L.dewar@spanuk.org.uk She will add your evidence to her growing portfolio.
Thanks so so much for your quick reply. That at least gives me some peace of mind regarding my housing.
Id like to ad that the attitude of the job centre people has really hurt me. They've made me cancel college and volunteering to come to their weekly meetings and i find out later they're supposed to work around it all.
They want to make me work in a charity shop instead of being able to complete my part study, and volunteer work whilst I also apply for jobs.
They are crazy. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they try and force vunerable and more shy people on this scheme rather than having the balls to actually tackle people who are genuinely cheating the system.
I would like to see the advisor and manager properly disaplinned, as i can imagine how many people's lives they've made hell who haven't got the confidence to try and fight them. It is seriously damaging to people often already on the edge and suffering hardship and stress. nothing but bullies.
hi swiss get in touch with ur housing officer tomorrow because i went to a job interview on the same day i had a job centre interview and even tho i foned in they said i didnt and stopped my money for a month and my housing benefit....i had to fight to get to get the hb backdated x so contact ur housing officer asap x just to cover urself xx
You MUST contact the housing benefit department as the sanction will affect your payments if you don't many people have had a nasty shock and found no HB paymants (they will pay you if there's arears). You need to apply supply bank statements, childs birth certificate, child tax credit award notice. This advice has come from someone who works for the council department. Also if you are classed as a vunderable person i.e with a child you can apply for a crisis loan to tie you over the sanction period and whilst you appeal the sanction which you must do. Don't let them get away with it.
Hi ange. Welcome along. I don't know the answer to your question, and as it's Easter hols, like you say, everything is closed. Ridiculous to get a letter today, stating it's for the 3rd April. The only thing I can suggest is first thing Tuesday morning, contact them, explain that you don't have anyone to have your son, and see what they say. Is your Mum not able to have him, friends perhaps?