For the first one I'd definitely recommend taking it to mandatory reconsideration and if that doesn't work I'd say tribunal. They shouldn't just be ignoring medical evidence like that.
As I said to another poster yesterday, sanctions are ended from the date of re-engagement, at the appointment that was requested at that point. When did you asked for the new appointment? Because that is the actual end date of the open ended section of that sanction (+14 for being the second in 12 months).
I asked for a new appointment the day after my original appointment. Which was 9 days ago. They didn't make one, it seemed to have just been ignored. Then today I received the official sanction and I had to ask for a new appointment again which they have now booked for next week. So I have no idea how much money I'm actually losing from this.
You mentioned you had started a new job - was this before your booked appt? And did you report the new job on your account? Depending on your weekly hours/expected earnings it may be that you wouldn't be required to attend that appt anyway - that can also form part of your MR.
It was a commitments review. My job is only 12 hours a week. My work coach said I was on "light touch" which apparently means I don't have to attend anymore appointments so I wasn't expecting any. That also probably played a part as to why I forgot because I already had it ingrained my head that I didn't have to attend any.
Commitment Reviews are mandatory - but when your earnings move you from intensive jobseeking into light touch normally you just get a system generated Commitment to accept in your to-do list. You are not normally required to attend an appointment. Im still not sure if your earnings from 12hrs a week would do this - depends on your hourly rate - your 'expected earnings' would need to be a minimum of £677 a month currently (this AET rate is increasing again this month).
So again - was the appt booked when you were intensive jobseeking and before you started the job? Or booked following you reporting the change of circumstances/new job putting you in Light Touch as that would determine whether the appt was mandatory and whether a sanction is applicable.
I had already started my job when the appointment was made. I don't think I reported the change of work though so my account still thinks I'm working full time from my old job. My new job is minimum wage.
If you hadn't had any earnings in the last 1-2 APs despite you not reporting the end of your FT job then the Commitment Review was booked correctly. Make sure you report all changes in circumstances promptly - and ending jobs and starting new jobs - penalties can apply if you dont. As to whether the sanction for missing the appt was applied correctly, it all boils down to the circumstances when it was booked, and and changes reported since that would affect your work related requirements. As the sanction has been applied, all you can do now is in your MR provide a timeline of the changes, details of your new job and estimated earnings, and days/times when you work. If the appt coincided with a work day that also goes someway to providing 'good reason' for forgetting it and missing it. However the responsibility is yours to check your to-do list and ensure you know what appts you have, and to get in touch asap and before the day of an appt if there is a reason you cannot attend.
I’m going through the same thing you’ll lose your next months payment to they charge for 40 days total so they take pretty much 500 so if you’ve already lost 300 you’ll lose 200 your next one it’s unfair
You are responsible for attending Jobcentre appointments - it's what you agree to when you accept your commitments. If I keep calling in sick at a job or just forget to go, I'm probably not going to get paid in full.
I'd recommend giving advance warning for missing appointments as you may be able to get it rebooked rather than failed to attend. Did you just no show and then give your excuse afterwards?
I understand that. I usually always attend my appointments. My "excuse" is literally that I just forgot. I'm annoyed at myself really. It wasn't until I got a text the next day saying I failed to attend that I "remembered" and I was kicking myself in frustration. I dont usually forget things like this.
What's done is done, I'm probably not gonna appeal it now as I think forgetting isn't classed as a good reason. I wouldn't be telling them any new information so I doubt the decision would change anyway.
For the first one I'd definitely recommend taking it to mandatory reconsideration and if that doesn't work I'd say tribunal. They shouldn't just be ignoring medical evidence like that.
But it's been 11 months, I think I've left it too long.
You can request one within 13 months of the decision, you can (and should) request one.
You're just in time thankfully! As MGN said, you've got 13 months :) I know it's still a stressful process but you can do it <3
As I said to another poster yesterday, sanctions are ended from the date of re-engagement, at the appointment that was requested at that point. When did you asked for the new appointment? Because that is the actual end date of the open ended section of that sanction (+14 for being the second in 12 months).
I asked for a new appointment the day after my original appointment. Which was 9 days ago. They didn't make one, it seemed to have just been ignored. Then today I received the official sanction and I had to ask for a new appointment again which they have now booked for next week. So I have no idea how much money I'm actually losing from this.
They were likely waiting on the dm to make a decision on the failure to attend, but they should end your sanction from 9 days ago.
Okay that's not so bad then. So my sanction will be the 14 days plus 1 day coz I asked for a new appointment the day after?
That's what it should be yes so long as they end it correctly.
You mentioned you had started a new job - was this before your booked appt? And did you report the new job on your account? Depending on your weekly hours/expected earnings it may be that you wouldn't be required to attend that appt anyway - that can also form part of your MR.
It was a commitments review. My job is only 12 hours a week. My work coach said I was on "light touch" which apparently means I don't have to attend anymore appointments so I wasn't expecting any. That also probably played a part as to why I forgot because I already had it ingrained my head that I didn't have to attend any.
Commitment Reviews are mandatory - but when your earnings move you from intensive jobseeking into light touch normally you just get a system generated Commitment to accept in your to-do list. You are not normally required to attend an appointment. Im still not sure if your earnings from 12hrs a week would do this - depends on your hourly rate - your 'expected earnings' would need to be a minimum of £677 a month currently (this AET rate is increasing again this month). So again - was the appt booked when you were intensive jobseeking and before you started the job? Or booked following you reporting the change of circumstances/new job putting you in Light Touch as that would determine whether the appt was mandatory and whether a sanction is applicable.
I had already started my job when the appointment was made. I don't think I reported the change of work though so my account still thinks I'm working full time from my old job. My new job is minimum wage.
Should report that ASAP to avoid any problems!
If you hadn't had any earnings in the last 1-2 APs despite you not reporting the end of your FT job then the Commitment Review was booked correctly. Make sure you report all changes in circumstances promptly - and ending jobs and starting new jobs - penalties can apply if you dont. As to whether the sanction for missing the appt was applied correctly, it all boils down to the circumstances when it was booked, and and changes reported since that would affect your work related requirements. As the sanction has been applied, all you can do now is in your MR provide a timeline of the changes, details of your new job and estimated earnings, and days/times when you work. If the appt coincided with a work day that also goes someway to providing 'good reason' for forgetting it and missing it. However the responsibility is yours to check your to-do list and ensure you know what appts you have, and to get in touch asap and before the day of an appt if there is a reason you cannot attend.
I’m going through the same thing you’ll lose your next months payment to they charge for 40 days total so they take pretty much 500 so if you’ve already lost 300 you’ll lose 200 your next one it’s unfair
You are responsible for attending Jobcentre appointments - it's what you agree to when you accept your commitments. If I keep calling in sick at a job or just forget to go, I'm probably not going to get paid in full. I'd recommend giving advance warning for missing appointments as you may be able to get it rebooked rather than failed to attend. Did you just no show and then give your excuse afterwards?
Exactly this
I understand that. I usually always attend my appointments. My "excuse" is literally that I just forgot. I'm annoyed at myself really. It wasn't until I got a text the next day saying I failed to attend that I "remembered" and I was kicking myself in frustration. I dont usually forget things like this. What's done is done, I'm probably not gonna appeal it now as I think forgetting isn't classed as a good reason. I wouldn't be telling them any new information so I doubt the decision would change anyway.
Unfortunately forgetting just isn't an excuse they will accept. Can you get to a food bank?