Has anybody gone through an Income Support Appeal?

[mazy]

Hiya... I applied for IS when I was 29 weeks and was a uni student but have suspended study till sept as I was finding it hard whilst being preg. I'm not classed as a student anymore until I return and told jobcentre and provided all the evidence when applying for IS etc. They have told me I am no entitled to IS until I have my baby! How can they expect me to survive on no income till then, I was not working whilst at uni and live alone.

I have just sent an appeal to them but was wondering has anybody appealed against an Income support decision and roughly how long did it take for a new decision?

Thanks in advance for replies

 

[EternalRose]

Are you in a relationship hun, because if you are & have declared it they wont let you go on income support as its just for single mothers. You would need to apply for JSA, even though your not looking for work and they make you exempt from signing as your within 11 weeks of confinement. ( I know this because I have a friend who works for the Job centre ) or they would give you employment support allowance. They all have different names, but the amount they pay you would still be the same I think.

Edit: Just reread your post, you say your alone. Then they are talking a load of rubbish, you are allowed to apply for income support at any time not just when you have your baby, are you able to go and have a meeting with someone at your local jobcentre so they can get it all sorted out for you ? x

 

[mazy]

Thanks for your advice. I think I might go to the jobcentre and see an actual person rather than just phone convos. X