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Original poster

Jobcentre advice

20 replies

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 07:10

Does anyone who gets universal credit but work part time still have to attend Jobcentre appointment? If you do how often do you have to go? Has anyone just had telephone appointments or asked for it?

The reason I am asking is I'm getting quite fed up of having to attend every like few weeks. I am pregnant so apparently after December 4 won't need to attend. I have a chronic illness which is disturbing my sleep so feel a face to face for 10mins is pointless. The way I am having to go is like I am not working at all. Well I think it's because my contract hours at 4hrs but not like I don't work extra days. I am not really that well with my condition so even could be signed off but trying my best to hang on until after Christmas so when January comes I go on maternity leave. I feel it's not like I haven't got a job at all I do.

OP posts:

MrNook · 09/11/2022 07:13

It's probably because they'll want you to do working more than 4 hours a week. What do they talk about the appointments? Do they talk about searching for more hours/another job?

Original poster

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 07:14

I am in severe pain and can't take painkillers and up during the night with leg pain. Trying to function each day on lack of sleep already is very hard.

OP posts:

IntrovertedPenguin · 09/11/2022 07:18

Even if you had sick notes you'd still be expected to attend appointments for a while unfortunately. The only way to stop them is to work 15 hours.

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NotABeliever · 09/11/2022 07:24

It's at the discretion of the work coach largely. Getting a sick note will help because they will have more discretion to dial down the work search requirements especially if you explain your situation.
Good luck!

Original poster

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 07:28

@IntrovertedPenguin

I actually feel like I don't work the amount of appointments I have to go too. My appointment are literally like 10mins and so pointless. Last time I had to go to bring my mat1b form and that was on my birthday. This time thinking what exactly do they need this time.

Because of what I do my hours will go up probably to 20hrs a week because of christmas. So I get the lack of hours is making me have to attend appointments. I know I haven't got that long until I stop going which I be very glad of. It really makes no sense to me.

OP posts:

Downtown123 · 09/11/2022 07:30

To stop these appointments you have to be working at 24 hrs if you have no children and 16 hrs if you do have children. You will be treat as like having no job if not working them hours.

MarigoldMoonStone · 09/11/2022 07:31

maybe different for me because I have a 3 yr old and pregnant but currently I have to have weekly telephone calls as my job search is now “intensive”, they want me to work 12 hours a week even tho I only have childcare for 8…the phone calls are about 3 mins long lol. It only stops once you’re 11 weeks from due date.

have you asked them if it could change to telephone calls, due to your illness and the fact you normally do work more hours/as much as you can?

Original poster

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 07:34

NotABeliever · 09/11/2022 07:24

I don't need to do work searches I have a job.

OP posts:

Original poster

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 07:35

Downtown123 · 09/11/2022 07:30

To stop these appointments you have to be working at 24 hrs if you have no children and 16 hrs if you do have children. You will be treat as like having no job if not working them hours.

Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 07:40

@MarigoldMoonStone

That's what I have asked waiting for reply and will call maybe 9 to see. There's not much going to change is it really.

I don't have many appointments left but it's so pointless to me. I get why they ask me to attend but do annoying. If I wasn't working like before when I use to need to go sign on would totally understand it.

OP posts:

silverclock222 · 09/11/2022 07:42

Stop taking the money then you wont have to go. Do you realise how lucky you are to have your income topped up, some of us have to work to get that money you know. 4 hours a week isn't a job love, it's it's half hearted hobby! Honestly!

RaininSummer · 09/11/2022 07:45

Unless you are sick with a fit note they have to do this as your work group is the same as a person who isn't working at all.

Original poster

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 07:47

Thanks for responses.

I am definitely going to ask for the remaining appointment be telephone appointments.
If I do go it needs to on a work day to save me traveling in to my local town centre.

OP posts:

gogohmm · 09/11/2022 07:54

4 hours is less hours than most sixth formers work in addition to college. Until you are 29 weeks pregnant you need to work 24 hours a week before they will stop pressuring you to get more work (26 if you have an older child) do bare in mind full time is 35-40 hours a week!

If you are unable to work more you need to be medically assessed by the job centre as so but it highly unlikely they would consider you unable to work a few more hours.

Danikm151 · 09/11/2022 08:43

It can take over 6 months to be in the LWCRA group and no longer need to attend the job centre.
4 hours isn’t deemed enough hours to fulfil your work commitments so you should be looking for work or training.

StaceySolomonSwash · 09/11/2022 08:50

You work 4 hours a week?

I've spent longer having a shit! How do you spare the time? Busy, busy busy all week long! 😳

Meadowbreeze · 09/11/2022 08:56

You've had some bad advice on here. Phone appointments are now for exceptional cases, it's unlikely you'll get them. Job centres are having to prove to the government that they have bums on seats and are making a difference so you won't stop getting appointments.
If you look at it from their point of view, you are well enough to work but not well enough to attend an 8min appointment. If you aren't well enough, you have to have a fit note. That's the only way you can use that excuse. They are just following the guidance given to them by the government.
There are so many people who just can't be bothered to go. Look at it as your second job. You turn up for your 4 hr a week one, this is a very easy job that gets you probably more money, yet you can't be bothered to come to the appointment.

Original poster

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 13:50

@Meadowbreeze

Just to update you all.

I had a phone call from my work coach.

She agreed to do telephone appointment haven't really got long before I stop going anyway just couldn't today. I normally always go in. She was so understanding too.

Plus I had been thinking what happens after the baby born and she explained more things I had been thinking about already.

Like I said I do 4 hrs but my hours vary week to week and as Christmas could be up to 20hrs. Because of my health condition cannot do many the max hours in a day is normally 6hrs which is weekend.

Very happy this had been sorted out and don't have to go in no more.

OP posts:

Original poster

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 13:52

Has*

OP posts:

Original poster

Quiegal · 09/11/2022 13:59

@Danikm151
@gogohmm

I get both your comments but I could be actually signed off with the condition I have but don't actually want too. Think the Jobcentre knows this really.

They don't or never have forced me to do work searches either while working 4hrs.

My manager would be happy to give additional hours just the contract will always be 4hrs.

I get the jobcentre points but I have a job at the end of the day.

OP posts:

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