I don't know what to do about jobcentre situation

[Nightmarewithjobcentre]

2 years ago I had cancer, with lockdown my op and treatment was delayed for months.

I was working but on furlough so financially I was OK.

After I had my op I lost the use of one of my arms, and there was some nerve damage. They have also diagnosed FND.

I am in pain 24/7, I cant move my head and neck, I sleep very poorly as I wake every time I move, I'm on 7 different medications, and I have no feeling in my arm, alongside this my voice sometimes goes for up to a week at a time.

After furlough I applied for benefits, as I couldn't do my (very physical) job anymore they told me to quit rather than keep being signed off.

Since then I had one phone appointment and have been declared fit to work.

Every week I go to the jobcentre and get berated because I can't think of a job I can do.

I appealed, nobody contacted me, and it came back again that because I could raise one arm above my head I could work.

I absolutely can't, if I could I would. I put it for an independent reconsideration, and the letter today said it could take several months. Meantime the jobcentre said I need to keep looking for work or they will stop all my money.

I'm already up to my eyes in debt, completely on the bones of my arse here.

My worker is particularly unpleasant, one of my dc is in part time education just now due to a condition, that child goes into school and my little one comes out of nursery, they don't allow dc in the jobcentre so the only way I can go is if my friend bbysits after 4, unfortunately she has covid right now, so I asked if I could change the appt to a few days time, and she has changed it to school hours which I can do, and then told me I'm being deliberatly obstructive.

I have worked for 30 years, never once had a period of unemployment, and I seriously cannot work right now. I'm sure the independent review will come back agreeing that I cant, so I'm supposed to look for work, apply for jobs I can't do, keep up being spoken down to every week and be threatened to have absolutely nothing to feed my kids with if I don't comply with rules I physically can't follow.

I don't know what to do, or who can help, I cannot keep this up for several months.

I've been told to get a laptop, I can't afford one, they told me to use the library, but I cant get there during the day.

Does anyone have any idea what I can do, at this present moment in time I honestly don't want to even be here having to beg the jobcentre for a tiny scrap of compassion so I don't have to freeze and starve.

I agree with this, it seems you’re not applying for any jobs, and refusing to do so, with good reason, no laptop, can’t do them etc, but thr rules to get the allowance, are if yoire deemed fit to work you need to apply for jobs and be actively seeking employment.

until and if you’re not deemed fit for work, you will just need to play the game and apply for jobs. If you continue to refuse to do so, arguing everything from you don’t have a laptop to can’t get to the library and can’t even come to appts unless after four, she will eventually sanction you or stop your job seekers allowance. She will need to and will have no choice.

so just apply for jobs. As pointless as it seems, you will need to do it.

I had a phonecall with someone who read my form back to me to make sure what I had written was correct, sorry I didn't make that clear.

Its so annoying, I was working, full time, I had childcare, my job was great, everything was sorted, now I need some help and I'm being treated like crap because of it.

I agree, email your MP, also the MP for DWP and MP for disability in one hot and copy in the leadership team of your local centre.

*email

If it's ESA you are making an appeal against, following a mandatory reconsideration, you may be able to continue to be eligible for ESA payments whilst the appeal is ongoing and you would provide medical certificates too. Worth asking if you are eligible for payment whilst payment pending appeal OP. Ring ESA and ask if they can check if you're eligible, this would save the JSA requirements until your appeal is heard.

So sorry you are going through this OP. I am shocked at how you are being treated and I think all of us here would think if we were single parents, unable to work due to disabilities caused by cancer treatment, that the state would step in and help us as it is supposed to do.

First thing is write to your MP. He/She absolutely can get involved in things like this and often it is the fastest and most effective way to deal with problems you are having with any part of the public sector when 'computer says no'.

Secondly, Citizens Advice Bureau should be able to help you communicate with the job centre and ensure the mandatory reconsideration is going through. They may be able to help you identify other sources of financial help in the meantime and possibly even help to have your working commitments changed.

Just to add to the already useful advice. I did take my DD in to the job centre when I had no other option. Just basically told them and she sat quietly on a device. Not optimal as they are very strict eg you can barely drink water in there but I would seriously complain if they don't allow your DD to sit there if you have no other option.

I agree with this, it seems you’re not applying for any jobs, and refusing to do so, with good reason, no laptop, can’t do them etc, but thr rules to get the allowance, are if yoire deemed fit to work you need to apply for jobs and be actively seeking employment.

until and if you’re not deemed fit for work, you will just need to play the game and apply for jobs. If you continue to refuse to do so, arguing everything from you don’t have a laptop to can’t get to the library and can’t even come to appts unless after four, she will eventually sanction you or stop your job seekers allowance. She will need to and will have no choice.

so just apply for jobs. As pointless as it seems, you will need to do it.

I asked for help with my CV and she told me it's not her responsibility to sort that out, it's mine. Which is fair enough I guess, but I'm not sure what help the advisor actually is. When I ask for help I cant get it and she tells me it's not her job, doesn't suggest anything, she doesn't refer me to anyone. I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall.

I told her I'll have more time after the summer as my little one will be in school so, assuming my other child is still in part time, I'll at least have afternoons free. She told me that my childcare isn't her problem and I'll have to be more proactive now, nit after summer.

Can MacMillan help?

It might also be worth contacting the FND charity - I forget the name. They might be able to help you access different benefits.

My advisor told me under no circumstances should I take my child in.

I'll maybe ask through my journal so I have a copy of her response, I wonder if she will change her tune then.

She is really just awful. Last appointment she was literally sitting doing nothing for 20 minutes, not typing, not talking, nothing at all (apart from biting her nails) when I went to reception to say I had been sitting for 20 minutes so only had 10 mins left before I had to leave she called me for my appointment then told me off for not arranging childcare for long enough. I said I had been there on time and she told me that "some of us have things we need to be getting on with before we get paid" but she was right in my eyeline, I could see her sitting staring into space and doing nothing.

It's hard to follow to be honest. You're talking about ESA and JSA but if you have children are you not on UC or are you getting tax credits? How old are your children?

Sounds like you originally claimed ESA and was submitting fit notes. You were referred for a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and you completed a questionnaire. The WCA was done by phone and you were found fit for work. You requested a mandatory reconsideration and the original decision was upheld. You have now requested an appeal which could take months. Your ESA stopped and you claimed JSA and with that benefit you have to actively job search and attend regular meetings at the JC to be eligible. Fit notes cannot be taken into account. The Work Coach is just applying the rules as they stand.

To the poster who suggested recording the conversation on a device. No you can't because it would likely pick up other conversations or interviews going on at the same time. If you did it covertly you could face prosecution

Thank you for all the advice.

I'll definitely contact my MP and the DWP MP, I'll call mcmillan in the morning, I have a neurology appointment again so I'll see what he says as well.

I'm still wary about a complaint, I would hate to complain and still be stuck with her, she would be a million times worse than she already is. When I get to the point I don't have to see her again I absolutely will be complaining.

Op irs just formalities.

if you’re on job seekers you need to

attend regular meetings
apply for a certain amount of jobs each week,
be available for work,

if you refuse to do these things then you will be sanctioned or lose your benefits.it’s the conditions you agree to to get the money. She has no choice in the matter, she doesn’t make the rules. Her job is to ensure you comply or to sanction you or stop your benefits. Although she should be polite about it. But that is her job.

by saying you can’t make appts unless after four, it’s saying you are not available for work due to your children. By refusing to apply for jobs you are disregarding another condition of getting the money and by not being available for meetings during the day, or even to be able to get to thr library to use their computer to apply for jobs, again it’s going against the conditions.

the issue here is why you’ve twice been reviewed for ability to work and twice been told you’re fit, it’s not even limited capability, you’ve been assessed as fully fit to work, which is wrong and with that you will have agreed to look for work to get the money.

so to make this stop and until your review is done, or your mp gets the review quicker, you will need to apply for jobs. I get it’s pointless but it’s the terms of getting the benefits. Arguing with her you’re not fit for work or can’t make appts or don’t have a way to apply will only get your benefits stopped in the end.

its shit but you have been rejected for disability support and the mandatory reconsideration has also rejected it,and so now you need to play the game. Apply for the jobs to keep your benefits coming.

Try your councillors as well as your MP - they take on casework and will probably have come across a similar situation

Sorry my head is just in a pickle.

I claimed esa, they stopped that when I was declared fit for work. I asked for a reconsideration, again I was declared fit, so I have an appeal in which will take several months.

I claimed UC and that's why I go to the jobcentre.

I have 3 dc 4, 11 and 12.

Were you in a union at work? They MAY still be able to help, or point you towards someone who can. I can’t believe what I’m reading, although I knew of someone with similar restrictions (couldn’t lift, bend or reach his arms above his shoulder height) but they said he could work on a factory production line as he had helped his wife carry the shopping in 🙄.

twitter.com/EwanGurr/status/1518487236492378117?s=20&t=KTfsWXiW0gK4YIs3r6XcYQ

Ewan Gurr
@EwanGurr
·
7h
Four years ago, Alex from Glasgow had a benefit delay and hadn't eaten for a week but was required to walk 2.5 miles each day to a DWP-assigned work programme. One day, he collapsed on arrival and, instead of calling an ambulance, staff called police. He spent the night in jail.

OP you need some help, some good advice and a helping hand. Firstly I would certainly complain about your “advisor” because she’s being cruel and vindictive, this won’t backfire on you, it’s horrific treatment of someone in need.
are you on Facebook? There’s a wonderful group on there that will do everything in their power to help you, it’s all free, and they will go through every step with you.
Disability Benefits UK ( PIP/ ESA/ LCW/ LCWRA)
I’ve had cancer, many years ago now, but haven’t been able to work since, and I’m on full disability benefits, it’s very hard to get them, but it IS doable with the right help.
good luck 😊

So sorry you are going through this. I also have cancer, going through chemotherapy and applied for ESA and its been hellish, I am sure its made as difficult as possible to make people give up.

I would write to MP and let them know. If you need to have job applications then some recruitment agencies all you have to do is e-mail your CV each time online, no covering letter, just takes a minute and ticks the box. A totally pointless exercise for everyone but its about ticking the boxes.

If you are within a year of active treatment ending this charity somethingtolookforwardto.org.uk/ provide gifts you can apply for, won't help with day to day but they have things like short breaks can take you and kids on or meals out.

Macmillan have a financial advice line maybe worth trying. It is also worth looking up the criteria they use as its very tick box, like I think its walk 50 metres for one of them so would qualify at 49 metres but not at 51. Its really inhumane that its so difficult for someone in your situation though, that should be exactly who the state is helping and without pleading.

Unfortunately dealing with DWP is often a battle and they will try their best to get you to just 'get a job' or go away. Your work coach sounds like a nightmare, in my experience they do have some discretion as to what they expect you to do whilst waiting to appeal a decision. My DH submitted fit notes and just had a 'light touch' of a phonecall every 2 weeks, he didn't have to apply for any jobs. I would definitely make a complaint, keep submitting fit notes, get in touch with CAB and get your MP involved. Do get in touch with Macmillan too, you are suffering from the after effects of cancer treatment. We got a grant from them when I was having treatment, so they may be able to help you financial. Also, do contact your local council for an OT assessment.

I know I sound awkward I really do, I had childcare sorted when I worked, I cant sort out childcare right now because I'm not working and can't afford a babysitter so I'm severely limited on time with 2 of my kids being part time school/nursery one in the morning, the other in the afternoon.

I'm trying my best, but I honestly just don't know what to do, every time I ask for help she tells me it's not her job to help and tells me to do care work.

Thanks so much for the great advice and understanding, I'm sorry that so many of you are also going through or have been through this too

I'm definitely going to contact all these places tomorrow. I certainly won't be any worse off for trying.

Which disability benefits have you applied for? Have you applied for PIP?

care work still seen as a last resort default setting by cows like her then. Lets hope when she is in a nursing home she is looked after by ppl who dont want to be there. (not saying you dont want to do this OP Its obvious that you cant)