Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Expected to attend UC interview while working

88 replies

WellThisIsStupid · 29/11/2024 11:54

We claimed UC as we were migrated from tax credits (we only got CTC as DH earned too much for WTC).

The migration coincidentally occurred when DH was made redundant.

DH has been employed for a month. He had an interview with his work coach in the first week, which he cancelled due to being at work. This was fine.

His employment started in the middle of our assessment period, so the payment reflected that and clearly states the wages reported from his employer.

He has now been given another mandatory work commitment interview next week. He put a message on the journal saying that as already reported he is working and cannot attend.

I've just seen a message for him on the journal. It states that he still needs to attend. That he will have to go to these interviews until the HMRC confirm that he has been paid. Even then he will still need to attend until he has had his first wage!!!

The thing is he has ALREADY been paid; he gets wages, so is paid weekly, furthermore, they HAVE proof of his wages as they paid us less this month due to the wages reported by his employer!

They've said he needs to attend the phone appointment on Tuesday. He drives for a living! Can he realistically be expected to answer a call, whilst driving a bus load of children or pensioners?

Should he take the day off and lose his job? Is that what they expect?

He works 40+ hours a week Mon-Fri (5/6am - 6-7pm although it changes daily as it's ad hoc, he's had to work through the night on a couple of occasions and occasionally weekends), so there is no ability to make an appointment in advance.

I really don't know what to say to them. I've told him, but he's working and not replied, and I know he won't sign into his account at lunch time.

OP posts:
IDoLikeToBeByTheSea · 29/11/2024 13:00

Did he report the change through your UC account? Report a change -> work and earnings? If not, that may be why your Dh is being asked to attend an appointment.

BillStickersWillBeProsocuted · 29/11/2024 13:01

Can he take calls at work? I had a similiar situation and requested a phone appointment. They called and it was a bit pointless and over very quickly but meant they could tick their box at their end!

Anotherworrier · 29/11/2024 13:04

Very recently they told me two days before my payment that I need to attend the job centre for a certain reason and gave me an appointment 6 days after my payment was due. They blocked my payments until I went to the appt.

I told them about this change they wanted confirmed six weeks before hand and they decided two days before my payment they needed more info.

Payment didn’t come through. Honestly, it was awful and so stressful, he’ll just have to go or they will block your payments.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

housethatbuiltme · 29/11/2024 13:04

Yep, the logic lacks at the job center... even the workers agree but have to follow 'the rules'.

I'm disabled and under medical assessment for progressive degenerative issues so not working.

They insisted since I can't work I had to go into 'job preparation training' (basically sitting in a room doing nothing so they can tick a box) specifically over the summer holidays with 3 kids off school to look after.

Ignoring even my medical issues for a moment... training was several towns away in an industrial estate, I can't drive anymore and public transport doesn't go there and taxis would bankrupt us. So DH would have to not work his own full time job to drive me there and back and then watch the kids in between.

So it would mean DH would have to stop working.

They said we should just get childcare as we would be 'entitled'. It would need to be for a toddler, a ND 6 year old and autistic 15 year old (so not just finding a nursery spot) over the summer holidays... wheres is this magic childcare? also it would be taking spaces away from working parents who clearly NEED those limited space for me to sit and do nothing except sign in and out a hours later.

They agreed these spaces literally don't exist and everywhere local was full with waiting lists but that just what they have to say. Luckily the Drs put a sharp stop to it when they heard but it felt like pointing out the obvious to a brick wall.

Of all times why would they choose the summer holidays (according to them it HAD to be the summer holidays) when theres no childcare available (the kids are in school/part time pre-school at any other time) to insist on that when they hadn't cared at any point in the year preceding it.

SnoopySantaPaws · 29/11/2024 13:07

Honestly, it's enough to push anyone over the edge.

My friend is self employed & that's an added marker pain in the arse, he has a fixed work commitment he's told them about several times, but they schedule his appointments first during that time then get shitty when he reminds them he can't attend then & tell him to make it his priority. He can't. His actual fixed job has to be his priority!!

arghhhh

DH needs to contact them, not you, and he needs to put all of that on his journal. (Even if you write it for him) .

put the fact that he is unable to attend that appointment at the very top where they can't miss it!!

SnoopySantaPaws · 29/11/2024 13:08

BillStickersWillBeProsocuted · 29/11/2024 13:01

Can he take calls at work? I had a similiar situation and requested a phone appointment. They called and it was a bit pointless and over very quickly but meant they could tick their box at their end!

No he can't. He's driving a coach!

WellThisIsStupid · 29/11/2024 13:10

BillStickersWillBeProsocuted · 29/11/2024 13:01

Can he take calls at work? I had a similiar situation and requested a phone appointment. They called and it was a bit pointless and over very quickly but meant they could tick their box at their end!

He can't take calls when driving. I've looked at his days this week and it's really hard to know when exactly he has breaks. If it was a school trip, he could feasibly know when he'd have time, but this week he's had lots of different jobs, without a set lunch, plus he got held up by traffic this week, I worry that if he agrees a time, then can't make it, he'd be in trouble. But I'm speaking for him, I don't know what he'll say till he gets home.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 29/11/2024 13:12

Has he been paid enough yet? I think you have to be paid a set amount before they leave you alone

RaininSummer · 29/11/2024 13:12

If working just let them know and when it's marked as not attended, complete the confirmation that you working. No need for loads of drama. They have to book appointments unfortunately.

MammaKel · 29/11/2024 13:13

Do you claim PIP?

If so, register DH as a carer on the carer element of UC and he won't have any work commitments or appointments.

BillStickersWillBeProsocuted · 29/11/2024 13:13

WellThisIsStupid · 29/11/2024 13:10

He can't take calls when driving. I've looked at his days this week and it's really hard to know when exactly he has breaks. If it was a school trip, he could feasibly know when he'd have time, but this week he's had lots of different jobs, without a set lunch, plus he got held up by traffic this week, I worry that if he agrees a time, then can't make it, he'd be in trouble. But I'm speaking for him, I don't know what he'll say till he gets home.

When I missed a call they called back about 5 minutes later - if he missed the call could he take that as a 5 minute warning and pull over for a bit?

WellThisIsStupid · 29/11/2024 13:13

IDoLikeToBeByTheSea · 29/11/2024 13:00

Did he report the change through your UC account? Report a change -> work and earnings? If not, that may be why your Dh is being asked to attend an appointment.

I've just checked - yes he did, it's on the journal, it says that he reported a change of work details and states there that he found full-time employment and who his employer is.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 29/11/2024 13:13

Your aet is £1437 a month as a couple he needs to hit that before they back off

WellThisIsStupid · 29/11/2024 13:15

MammaKel · 29/11/2024 13:13

Do you claim PIP?

If so, register DH as a carer on the carer element of UC and he won't have any work commitments or appointments.

I do and he was awarded Carer's Allowance, I'm not sure we can get the carer element of UC until I have the LCRWA though?

OP posts:
Villagetoraiseachild · 29/11/2024 13:16

Sorry you are having this stress Op.

It isn't logical.

The pressure that is put on people to find work and comply with their tick box exercises is sometimes at an inhumane level.

It is counterproductive and against the aims of job seeking to have to throw over paid employment to meet with an adviser.

You could try asking that question in the online journal, i.e Is my husband expected to risk his job/ give up paid work to attend this interview?

I suspect the answer is no.

Please complain to your M.P and whoever is the Ofcom/ Complaints Department for the DWP.
That system is discouraging rather than encouraging and requires systemic reform.

WellThisIsStupid · 29/11/2024 13:16

Theunamedcat · 29/11/2024 13:13

Your aet is £1437 a month as a couple he needs to hit that before they back off

Ahh, so starting work in the middle of the assessment would obviously not quite hit that (very nearly though).

OP posts:
LostittoBostik · 29/11/2024 13:18

He should ask for the time and date to be changed, and if it can't be he should then ask his manager what to do.

MammaKel · 29/11/2024 13:18

@WellThisIsStupid Yes you can, you can claim it if the person you care for has PIP/DLA etc.

Make a change of circumstances on your claim now and register DH as a carer - that stops work commitments and appointments.

WellThisIsStupid · 29/11/2024 13:19

BillStickersWillBeProsocuted · 29/11/2024 13:13

When I missed a call they called back about 5 minutes later - if he missed the call could he take that as a 5 minute warning and pull over for a bit?

He doesn't always have his phone on (or be able to hear it if there is lots of talking on the coach).

Definitely not if he was taking children on a trip, there would be definitely be complaints if he pulled over to chat on the phone.

I went on every school trip my kids went on, and never did a coach driver pull over to answer a call, or have their phone ring even.

OP posts:
Villagetoraiseachild · 29/11/2024 13:20

Don't worry tho Op, this can and will get sorted.
🌺

LostittoBostik · 29/11/2024 13:20

Having read the whole thread: if he hasn't got his rota for that day yet, he asks his line manager to make sure it accommodates the call.
My husband works shifts. You're making out like you can't mention something that needs to fit around it.
And if they're desperate for drivers they're not going to sack him for asking! They need him!

WellThisIsStupid · 29/11/2024 13:23

LostittoBostik · 29/11/2024 13:20

Having read the whole thread: if he hasn't got his rota for that day yet, he asks his line manager to make sure it accommodates the call.
My husband works shifts. You're making out like you can't mention something that needs to fit around it.
And if they're desperate for drivers they're not going to sack him for asking! They need him!

He doesn't just work 'shifts'. That would be easier to accommodate. The work is varied and depends on what contracts the company has to fulfil. Trips vary each day and week, depending on who has booked them. If your husband works for a coach company who does more that just school runs, then you would know this.

OP posts:
anniegun · 29/11/2024 13:27

14 years of being "tough on benefits " and this is the shitshow the Tories gave us. I am seething on your behalf.

Villagetoraiseachild · 29/11/2024 13:27

Hey Op, just googled this info for you if you need back up.

Citizens Advice can advise you on your rights if you feel these are getting lost in the mist.

Expected to attend UC interview while working