Question for those who understand the UK benefits system.
26 November 2014, 06:03 PM
#1
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Question for those who understand the UK benefits system.
A mate of mine has a son who emigrated to Spain just over 12 months ago. A few weeks ago he was arrested on suspicion of tax fraud and shipped back to the UK by the UK police whereupon he was bailed, but has to sign on at the police station between 12:00 and 14:00 every day 7 days a week.
Now I have no idea whether he is guilty or not, but I do know he has very little money and as he was extradited he has lost his job in Spain.
He has been to sign on, but has been refused benefit with no reason given other than being told he could do night work to get round the police station visit ( not sure when he is supposed to sleep but there you go).
As he has no job and no real way of getting a job given his situation and the bail conditions he has no income at all.
Is there anything else he can claim as surely they can't leave him to 'starve'?
I have suggested he seek asylum as they seem to get everything given to them, but I think that was little help really
Now I have no idea whether he is guilty or not, but I do know he has very little money and as he was extradited he has lost his job in Spain.
He has been to sign on, but has been refused benefit with no reason given other than being told he could do night work to get round the police station visit ( not sure when he is supposed to sleep but there you go).
As he has no job and no real way of getting a job given his situation and the bail conditions he has no income at all.
Is there anything else he can claim as surely they can't leave him to 'starve'?
I have suggested he seek asylum as they seem to get everything given to them, but I think that was little help really
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26 November 2014, 09:29 PM
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I'd ask what the circumstances behind the tax fraud are, as this might have some impact on his national insurance number or ability to claim benefit. I doubt any self respecting parent would see their child on the streets and I'm sure he could get himself a job cleaning toilets at minimum wage.
Sounds like he's going to need a bloody good solicitor.
Sounds like he's going to need a bloody good solicitor.
Last edited by Kwik; 26 November 2014 at 09:30 PM.
26 November 2014, 10:05 PM
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I have no idea what the circumstances are other than the tax fraud relates to VAT and import duty, but he is innocent until proven guilty and my question is really what is he supposed to do for money if his family wouldn't help.... they will help, but they too live abroad so it's not as simple as he can live at the family home etc.
26 November 2014, 10:41 PM
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Is there any chance someone could answer the question rather than posting daft comments about his guilt?
I am trying to read the benefits legislation, but as its drafted by self serving lying scum called government it has been written in a way to deliberately be impossible to understand unless you're a qualified lawyer of course.
He has been to the CAB, but they have a massive backlog of benefit cases and cannot get anyone who may be able to answer the question for months.
I am trying to read the benefits legislation, but as its drafted by self serving lying scum called government it has been written in a way to deliberately be impossible to understand unless you're a qualified lawyer of course.
He has been to the CAB, but they have a massive backlog of benefit cases and cannot get anyone who may be able to answer the question for months.
26 November 2014, 10:43 PM
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Or maybe he can't claim since he doesn't actually live here anymore!
You can be crossed off doctors list if you're away for not very long at all. ( e.g. )
You can be crossed off doctors list if you're away for not very long at all. ( e.g. )
26 November 2014, 10:43 PM
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27 November 2014, 09:01 AM
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If hes told the job centre hes not available for full time work due to having to sign on at the police station during daytime hours then hes classed as not looking for work and therefore not a job seeker, he needs to tell them he is looking for work and not mention he has to sign on at the local nick daily.
27 November 2014, 10:10 AM
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I don't believe for one minute the police are not flexible in the times that he signs into the police station each day. 12-14:00 can easily be swapped for 17-19:00 to allow him to work. It's a verification check every 24hrs to make sure he's still in the country, nothing more to it than that.
Hardship payments, charities, food banks, help from friends and families would be the only other answer on how to survive
Hardship payments, charities, food banks, help from friends and families would be the only other answer on how to survive
27 November 2014, 04:19 PM
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I used to work for the Benefits Agency but that was many years ago and obviously things change so bear that in mind; basically to claim a benefit you need to fit into a box, if you don't fit in the box it cannot be changed to suit your particular circumstances and you are turned down for the benefit.
If this bloke isn't in ill health or disabled then he would be looking at Job Seeker's Allowance, to claim that he needs to be fit for work, looking for work, and available for work. It sounds likely that he has told the job centre he is unavailable for work due to the reporting to the police station. The question is, is he not available for any kind of job? Because if he has a window of between 12 and 2pm why can't he report to the police on a lunch break?, or yes get a night shift job then he can get some kip after he's seen plod.
Simple answer is if he wants the money he has to play by the rules, the system does not bend to fit around individuals.
If this bloke isn't in ill health or disabled then he would be looking at Job Seeker's Allowance, to claim that he needs to be fit for work, looking for work, and available for work. It sounds likely that he has told the job centre he is unavailable for work due to the reporting to the police station. The question is, is he not available for any kind of job? Because if he has a window of between 12 and 2pm why can't he report to the police on a lunch break?, or yes get a night shift job then he can get some kip after he's seen plod.
Simple answer is if he wants the money he has to play by the rules, the system does not bend to fit around individuals.
27 November 2014, 04:52 PM
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Your allowed to have £6k in savings. Jobseekers allowance is contribution based or income based. I had a problem after returning to the UK from the USA. I had lived there longer than a holiday and couldnt make a claim for 3 months. Its a rule that was brought in recently to stop immigrants making a claim as soon as they arrive in this country. That may be the reason he cant get dole.
27 November 2014, 10:42 PM
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If hes told the job centre hes not available for full time work due to having to sign on at the police station during daytime hours then hes classed as not looking for work and therefore not a job seeker, he needs to tell them he is looking for work and not mention he has to sign on at the local nick daily.
I don't believe for one minute the police are not flexible in the times that he signs into the police station each day. 12-14:00 can easily be swapped for 17-19:00 to allow him to work. It's a verification check every 24hrs to make sure he's still in the country, nothing more to it than that.
Hardship payments, charities, food banks, help from friends and families would be the only other answer on how to survive
Hardship payments, charities, food banks, help from friends and families would be the only other answer on how to survive
It's nothing to do with the police. The court set the bail terms and those are the bail terms. End of!
27 November 2014, 10:44 PM
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I used to work for the Benefits Agency but that was many years ago and obviously things change so bear that in mind; basically to claim a benefit you need to fit into a box, if you don't fit in the box it cannot be changed to suit your particular circumstances and you are turned down for the benefit.
If this bloke isn't in ill health or disabled then he would be looking at Job Seeker's Allowance, to claim that he needs to be fit for work, looking for work, and available for work. It sounds likely that he has told the job centre he is unavailable for work due to the reporting to the police station. The question is, is he not available for any kind of job? Because if he has a window of between 12 and 2pm why can't he report to the police on a lunch break?, or yes get a night shift job then he can get some kip after he's seen plod.
Simple answer is if he wants the money he has to play by the rules, the system does not bend to fit around individuals.
If this bloke isn't in ill health or disabled then he would be looking at Job Seeker's Allowance, to claim that he needs to be fit for work, looking for work, and available for work. It sounds likely that he has told the job centre he is unavailable for work due to the reporting to the police station. The question is, is he not available for any kind of job? Because if he has a window of between 12 and 2pm why can't he report to the police on a lunch break?, or yes get a night shift job then he can get some kip after he's seen plod.
Simple answer is if he wants the money he has to play by the rules, the system does not bend to fit around individuals.
Anyway he has appealed their decision and now has to wait for their explanation which can take weeks apparently!
28 November 2014, 07:53 AM
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ok so thats just takes us back to what i've already said, if hes signing on at a police station during normal working hours then they'll see him as not looking/able to work, thats why they wont pay him...
Last edited by gazzawrx; 28 November 2014 at 07:56 AM.