Remove phone number from JSA claim

Me and my partner recently started a joint JSA claim and a few days ago I was called by a work coach.

Currently I am doing group sign ons, they are very easy and mostly short so I don't mind doing these. Although I feel quite unwilling to get into a discussion with the work coach of removing my phone number when there are 10+ people in the room.

What's the best way to get my phone number removed?

This is a potentially difficult area. I have done it but not without hassle.

Might I suggest you just let the calls go to voicemail, as a subtle option?

Jara wrote:

What's the best way to get my phone number removed?

Tell your work coach to delete your telephone number from the system, they have to comply.

Or

Ring up the helpline to ask for the time of your next appointment, when they ask for your phone number for security purposes simply say you have lost your phone recently and can they remove the number from the system, they have to comply

I have tried both methods without any trouble several times over the years.

I would say removing your telephone number from the system is a excellent first step into taking back some control of your life from the DWP.

Caker wrote:This is a potentially difficult area. I have done it but not without hassle.

Might I suggest you just let the calls go to voicemail, as a subtle option?

That might work, but I always worry they booked new appointments for me when they call me. I will look into this.

dboy wrote:
Ring up the helpline to ask for the time of your next appointment, when they ask for your phone number for security purposes simply say you have lost your phone recently and can they remove the number from the system, they have to comply

That seems like a great idea! This also means my work coach will most likely pay for a new cheap smartphone for me. Christmas gift sorted for my niece

Jara wrote:

Caker wrote:This is a potentially difficult area. I have done it but not without hassle.

Might I suggest you just let the calls go to voicemail, as a subtle option?

That might work, but I always worry they booked new appointments for me when they call me. I will look into this.

dboy wrote:
Ring up the helpline to ask for the time of your next appointment, when they ask for your phone number for security purposes simply say you have lost your phone recently and can they remove the number from the system, they have to comply

This also means my work coach will most likely pay for a new cheap smartphone for me. Christmas gift sorted for my niece

Based on my research and personal knowledge there is no requirement for benefit claimants to prove their availability for work via telephone or an email address.  A postal address will suffice!  Your availability for work is contained within you CC.

FACT: There is no evidence to the contrary within legislation or the Decision makers' guide/ADM!

FACT:  One does not require an email address or, telephone number to create a Universal Credit or JSA account.

The opportunity of a free phone is a bonus, but not to the user who can be contacted at any time by DWP staff!

Dealing with DWP staff is a game of chance, some suggestions work, but others don't based on the information you provide and, the competency level as well as the level of care delivered by of the DWP agent!

Forums like this one, have evolved due to people being concerned about the way have been treated by DWP agent and whom may not be privy to their own guidance etc./others simply do not care to check their own guidelines etc..

Edit:
Ask for the guidance that specifies claimants must provide a telephone number/emails to claim JSA/UC and to prove their availability.
In some instances DWP agents do not give claimants the chance to challenge them, they just stop payment without informing the person, which is wrong.  A complaint and Mandatory Reconsideration is required.

My experience:

I gave formal notice of withdrawal of telephone contact.

Next I received a brown envelope informing me that I was disallowed JSA because I made myself 'unavailable for work'.  

I challenged this with the excellent help from Mary.    

My JSA was reinstated and I have been exempt from phone contact since then.

It is worth doing, but it took weeks to sort out.

ForgetMeNot wrote:

The opportunity of a free phone is a bonus, but not to the user who can be contacted at any time by DWP staff!

I was speaking to a manager on a unrelated issue who noticed I had no phone / number and offered to buy me one. I explained that I was happy for them to do that but I will still keep my number private from the DWP.

dboy wrote:

ForgetMeNot wrote:

The opportunity of a free phone is a bonus, but not to the user who can be contacted at any time by DWP staff!

I was speaking to a manager on a unrelated issue who noticed I had no phone / number and offered to buy me one. I explained that I was happy for them to do that but I will still keep my number private from the DWP.

Did you proceed with the purchase of a mobilephone at DWP's expense?

ForgetMeNot wrote:

Did you proceed with the purchase of a mobilephone at DWP's expense?

They will only pay for a basic dumb phone (£10) if it was something more worthwhile or I just wanted to get up their nose a bit more I would have held back, got the phone, then informed them I have no wish to give them the number.

Caker wrote:My experience:

I gave formal notice of withdrawal of telephone contact.

Next I received a brown envelope informing me that I was disallowed JSA because I made myself 'unavailable for work'.  

I challenged this with the excellent help from Mary.    

My JSA was reinstated and I have been exempt from phone contact since then.

It is worth doing, but it took weeks to sort out.

Probably the best route is to use the helpline option to save incompetence, they just oblige without question.

Wondering how you'd go about this if it was already in your CC that they could contact you by phone.

I think it might be an idea to provide formal (written) notice that you no longer have a phone in your possession.

it can be removed from the cc without any repercussions as its not a requirement to have one or that you can afford one

link is here to remove it

https://respectfulbenefits.forumotion.com/t26-availability-doubt-withdrawal-of-telephone-number-email-address