Unfair benefits sanction?

[Snowymorning]

Not a begging post and I’ll make things work but just wanted opinions whether I’ve been unfairly treated. I lost my job about 9 months ago due to cuts at work and I’m currently on Universal Credit and have been looking for work around school hours as I’m a single parent and my daughter is in reception . I was signed up for a back to work programme called Restart. Restart kept booking appointments in at school pick up time even though I had told them I can’t attend at these times. I always let them know and asked to rearrange but they kept doing it. I’ve now been sanctioned by the job centre for not attending two Restart appointments booked in at 3pm and they’ve took £363 off me this month. I just think this is unfair at Christmas time especially as a single mum with a 4 year old. I really don’t have anyone else who could have collected my daughter for me either. Fairly new to area and don’t know anybody who could have. Is this fair for them to have done this?

No, on UC it's 30 hours pw for a child aged 3-12.

My DIL was working 30 hours pw in a school. She got summoned for an interview at the job centre and was told she had to increase her hours, because averaged out over a full year, rather than an academic year, it was less than 30 hours pw.

Only after you pay up front first. A sanction won't help that.

There are so few school hours jobs. You need to widen your search. They'll pay most of your childcare. It's just how it is.

If I had waited for a school hours job I think I'd still be out of work 10 years later.

It goes on what you earn so 30× minimum wage so as long as meet the earning threshold it doesn't have to be 30 hours. Obviously penalises the poor earners.

This is very true. I also think that some job centres have a culture of being "awkward".

I work in welfare rights and every time I've helped a client who's been having an issue with a work coach, it's been one particular job centre out of the 9 in the area I cover. My colleague who does the same role in the next county has found similar.

But do you not understand on doing so, she will loose her benefits totally? She has to be available for work 30 hours a week. This is mandatory and what yoh sign up for when you get the benefits, it’s what you agree to. You also agree to intensively job hunt for the same amount of hours, to then put in writing, no she’s not available, she has to do child care, will result in her losing her benefits.

benefits do not pay someone to be home for their child and to do childcare, it doesn’t pay for you to drop off and pick up, they simply don’t. Nor do they allow you to say I will work 4 or 5 hours a day so I can care for my child. This is a luxury only afforded to those who can pay for it or those designated as carers, It is not an option when living on benefits.

And pay for it with what? Buttons?

Why are you asking me, I don’t set the rules, nor can I change them, nor can I change the fact child care is available at a cost or inconvenience . If you feel so strongly call your mp. Stop hassling strangers on line.

Well, if working then I imagine the OP might have an after school club or such likes. Funnily enough, I imagine they are currently doing school run because they don't need or can't afford childcare when out of work 🙄

As a single parent of 15 years, my MP and I are on first name terms and regularly correspond on issues such as this (but particularly on the uselessness of the CMS).

You may neither set the rules nor be able to personally change them but you can show some logic and empathy for the OP who is in a difficult position and is highly unlikely to be able to pay for childcare.

I moved 200 and odd miles away from my marital home following my marraige breakdown for a whole host of reasons but mainly around safety and security. For a long time, I did not have support or friendships and struggled to trust anyone at all. I worked full time, and part time, and seasonally all at the same time, but only because I fell on my feet with the school my children attended both with it's affordable, not for profit wraparound care but also the staff who understood my predicament and sometimes broke rules to help me out. Life is incredibly complex for some people - not the black and white so many posters on this thread want to believe.

And if you don't want hassle online, may I respectfully suggest you don't post? We are allowed opinions, and are allowed to challenge what we see.

Thanks @BabyMinnie but I do know something about this - having been in a v similar situation myself.
As a single parent, I did not have the luxury of choosing to stay at home and had to go out to work doing a 9-5 hr job from when my son was 12m old - however, I did get a considerable reduction on childcare costs through the tax credit system. And this made the whole set up viable.
It also meant I was employed and earning plus I was in turn providing employment (albeit subsidised) for a childminder to look after my son.
I appreciate this was a few years ago before UC was brought in so I might not be completely up to speed on the current system
but I certainly do know what I'm talking about thanks v much.

I’m not going to engage with you further, I have no idea why you’re hassling me, and now trying to force me off the thread. I have simply stated facts of this program. As said I won’t respond to you further. Bully someone else.

Decent summary of 'Restart' here.

It is unfair but I doubt you can do anything about it it's mostly decided by computers or people sat behind a desk just doing things by the book.
Could you not have explained to your job centre worker (forgot what they're called) that you are unable to do appointments at that time before the appointment though?

Really? Im contracted 16 hours a week with a 6 year old and I've never had any complaints.
Maybe it depends where you live?

It doesn't depend where you live. Are you a single parent? If so then they likely just haven't caught up with you yet to ' encourage' you to work more hours. Or maybe if your job is relatively well paid you meet the earnings threshold.

Job is not well paid.
My work coach (just remembered the name) told me 16 hours was fine. That was two years ago. Granted I do a lot of overtime but still not 30 hours

Completely unfair in my opinion, I would raise a complaint as long as you have evidence of communicating with them I would appeal the decision they should compensate you for it - you can apply for a hardship payment as you was sanctioned but I believe you have to pay that back but may be worth doing this side of Xmas hope it gets sorted x

It's changed recently Leah. You will probably get a commitment review booked soon to discuss the 30 hours

That is disgusting such a huge amount when you can hardly make ends meet normally
I believe there is a hardship payment
( I'm on benefits but not UC)
Is there a chance to appeal?
The irony is, if you had a job they pay towards childcare
Next time I'd take child out of school early
Do you have a friend/ neighbour who could help

Are you a single parent? How old is your child?

Yes and 6 I said in my other comment.
Googling this it appears to be true, thanks for the heads up Mumsnet 🙌

Yes it would have been fine 2 years ago but things have changed recently I think so I would expect they will catch up at some point. People with kids aged over 3 will soon be expected to look for 30 hours.

Apologies I am ill. Let's hope they don't realise. 😀

They shouldn't do if their partner earns enough to meet the couples AET by themselves.