Restart scheme at 27+2 weeks pregnant?!

[Aaminah1234]

Hi,

I can’t seem to find any information to help me regarding universal credit referring me to the restart scheme at 27 weeks pregnant after being given a fit note from the gp due to bad pelvic girdle pain.

although I don’t have to attend the job centre anymore, they’re still saying I need to attend the restart scheme? Isn’t this a waste of their time and money considering how pregnant I am? I don’t see how it can benefit me right now apart from giving me extra stress and it means I have to go out for extra appointments which is difficult as I live in a flat with 2 flights of stairs and don’t always have help getting up and down.

Also is because my youngest has turned 3, however if I was in the position to return to work I certainly would, but I can’t.

how far into my pregnancy do they expect me to do the restart scheme?

Isn’t this a waste of their time and money considering how pregnant I am?

you have 3 months left of your pregnancy, that's quite a long time to write off.

I don’t see how it can benefit me right now apart from giving me extra stress

It's not to benefit you, it's to ensure that people aren't in receipt of benefits when they could be working.

Yes I know that. I’ve been told by midwives and gp to rest as I have bad pelvic girdle pain, which in my last pregnancy I worked with and ended up in a wheelchair. That’s why I have a fit note.

it’s costing the government more to put me on the scheme when it isn’t benefiting me.

They’re fully aware of my circumstances, they have the evidence so there’s no doubt that I am entitled to the benefits. I’m not lazy I’ve worked all my adult life up until having my last child.

what I want to know is at what point in my pregnancy do I need to attend these restart scheme appointments. I know with UC appointments it’s up until 11 weeks before due date. I’m not sure if it’s the same for the restart scheme as my first appointment is past that date.

I haven’t had my first appointment yet, it’s next week, but I thought the referral scheme was to set goals, motivation and an action plan to get back into employment. With me being unfit to work right now and looking to be off work until my baby turns 2 I don’t see the point of it.

my partner has to take time off work causing more issues to help me get up and down the stairs of our flat so I can attend these extra appointments. With that being said when I return to work I’ll be self employed as an ADI. I don’t necessarily support to get back employment.

Are you looking to claim benefits until baby is 2?

Yes I plan to return to work once my child starts nursery.

Waiting for the pile on…

I’m not claiming full benefits, just part with support with rent costs and rent in London are extremely high.

According to this you should be in the 'no work-related activity' group from 28 weeks.

Sadly I thought this was a good platform for advice, but seems more judgemental than anything so I’ll end this thread here.

@Lougle yes this is why I was confused as my first appointment is after 28 weeks, thank you for your help :)

I wasn't asking to pile on. I was asking because they will expect you to attend if you're not on maternity leave or post employment if you're claiming support.

It's probably worth attending the first appointment and explaining your circumstances and they'll probably then not get in touch until baby is 12 months.

If you can then show them you're training for self-employment they will probably leave you alone.

I haven’t heard of this scheme but I googled it and it sounds useful to gain employment skills even if you’re intending to be out of work but you’re not fit for work. Your fit note should make it clear that you’re sick not unemployed - does it say this?