Monday 20th June 2022
Applying for Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), after being on an Overseas Assignment with your Serving partner, can be extremely challenging. Here’s how the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) helped one partner rightfully claim what was due to her by working collaboratively with other organisations; in this case the RAF Benevolent Fund.
JSA application rejected
This case consisted of an RAF Serviceman, Mr Maughan who approached the Outreach and Support Team on behalf of his wife. He explained the routes they had already taken after their Overseas Assignment in applying for JSA. Despite following the required process, their application was rejected in being awarded Class 1 National Insurance Credits.
RAF FF Outreach and Support Team member, Ken Wood contacted the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Benefits Advisory Team who agreed to take on and appeal against the decision.
Military exception to the General Welfare Benefit Rules
The Fund’s Senior Benefits Executive, Laura Austin-Pugh obtained the relevant evidence in setting out the correct law to show that both the Department for Work and Pensions, and the judge in this case, had erred in law by not applying the military-specific exception to the General Welfare Benefit Rules.
These exceptions are note well known by the DWP or local councils so it is always advised to seek advice and support if any difficulties are experienced.
This two-minute clip shows the steps that were taken including comments from Mr Maughan:
Our impact
We provide confidential help and support to RAF personnel and families, wherever you are in the world. This can be advice offered, imparting our knowledge of policy and procedures, signposting and influencing on your behalf.
The issues you report to us provide ‘evidence’ which can help us to identify emerging issues in the Armed Forces community. We use this information, anonymised, to lobby government for policy changes – aiming to make life better for you.
If you need help with a challenge you face, report an issue to us.
