---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Erik Ribsskog <eribsskog@gmail.com>Date: Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 5:33 PM
Subject: Your ref: 30345737
To: Liverpool Direct <
liverpool.direct@liverpool.gov.uk>
Hi,
I got your letter about this complaint today.
I'm still not sure how income support is supposed to work.
I went to the Jobcentre in March 2007, and informed them that I'd got a new job.
The topic of income support wasn't discussed in that meeting.
And it would also be difficult to discuss this then, because I didn't get a fixed monthly income, but a provision-based income, which varied from month to month.
So I would use almost all my time and energy to get an ok income, in the first months, in this job.
Packaging was also a new field for me, so I really had to work hard, and I don't remember the correspondance with the Council in detail.
I ask you if I was eligable for Income Support, for the years 2007 and 2008, in 2009 or 2010.
And then you say it's to late to ask.
But this makes no sense to me, because I can't say I knew how to go forward to get income-support.
I haven't been aware of this, before I started wondering about this, around 2009 and 2010.
I'm from Norway, and I've heard that one can only be three months unemployed, before one get ones first job in the UK.
So I was just happy that I got a job, if you see what I mean.
And was a bit worried that it would be inpolite of me, to go to the Jobcentre, and ask for income-support.
What would people who heard this think, I guess I thougt.
So I don't think it's unreasonable that I bring up this a bit late, since I'm from Norway and don't know the rules for income-support.
I'm in an almost similar situation now, with my web-shop.
But I'm at the same time at Ingeus and the Work Programme, and recieve Job Seekers Benefit.
But now I have to run my business and also apply for new jobs.
So it's a bit harder to focus on my business now, than it was in 2007 and 2008.
Could I get income support now you think, for my e-business?
How should I go forward.
I thought I would have to pay more than the around twelve pounds I pay a month, in arrears.
So this complaint-case is almost academic now I think, since it's not a big amount, due to this it doesn't mean that I lose control on my budget.
I wasn't aware of that the amount to pay for this would be that low.
So it's maybe better to look forward, I think.
Could you please send me a folder about income-support, since I think my situation now is a bit tricky since I have to be both unemployed and self-employed at the same time, if you see what I mean.
Thanks again for your reply!
Yours sincerley,
Erik Ribsskog
PS.
I also send a copy to EFTA, since I'm from Norway and have started to update them about the situation with Ingeus/Elect.
Hope this is alright!