Weekly Job Centre appointments?!

[JudgementalCentipede]

I don't know if i am being unreasonable here - I was made redundant when I was 12 weeks pregnant. My DS is coming up to 13 months now. I am a single parent to him and his 8yo brother. I am currently claiming Universal Credit. I've been told I have to attend a work search appointment weekly?! Even though my work coach told me I won't be expected to look for work till DS is 3. Don't get the wrong impression of me - I am by no means workshy, but I wouldn't like to put him in nursery till he is 2.
The other issue is the cost of this - it's a 20 minute drive to the nearest city centre and then an expensive car park at around £4.50. I could take the train but this would cost £3.70. I'm struggling as it is and using food banks a couple of times a month....!

Thats not right, with a 13 month old you should be in Work Focused Interview regime, normally that would be 6 monthly appointments to prepare you for going back to work.

Have you journalled to ask what their justification for weekly appointments is?

Check they know the age of your son. You can get 15 hours of nursery from 2 as you are low income, at that point you can start to get "work ready" clarify why you are needing to come because they don't usually allow children into the job centre (not even autistic 11 year olds who have no child care options - yes they had the cheek to say I should ask my mother who was 3 hours away!)

I have a six week Fit Note and have been told that I have to attend weekly as well.

@StarCat2020

I have a six week Fit Note and have been told that I have to attend weekly as well.

That isnt right at all, if you have a fit note you shouldnt have to attend, and should have your commitments turned off

That isnt right at all, if you have a fit note you shouldnt have to attend, and should have your commitments turned off
Thank you for your reply

That’s not correct. Commitments can be switched off for the first 14 days of sickness but after that it’s up to your work coach whether they put any adjustments in place regarding work related activity up until the outcome of a WCA (if you’ve been referred).

I was on income support for a while after having my 1st DS and that was only 6 monthly appointments....

Join a group called universal credit survival on FB. You can post anonymously and they will give you far ore detailed advice than anyone on here can.