Job centre appointment

[PumpkinP]

I am on benefits as a carer, 2 of my children have disabilities. I still have to attend the job centre every 6 months anyway for a work focused interview. Despite being on carers and not in a position to work due to my children’s disabilities and being a lone parent but I accept I must attend them. Today I got a letter for my usual job centres 6 month appointment however this time it’s saying it’s in a children’s centre? I didn’t know they did job centre appointments in children’s centres? It’s not even my local one and I don’t know where it is but looking at the address it looks like it’s part of a school. I wouldn’t rather have them at the job centre, has anyone else had this? It also comes with a form that’s asking some really intrusive questions like “absent parents name
And address” no way am I giving that to anyone, And names of any one who lives with me other than my children, not that anyone else does but doesn’t seem relevant to a job centre appointment.

If your DC get middle rate dla or above you should not be having any back to work interviews.
Tbh this appointment sounds like someone has made an allegation of benefit fraud.
How old are your dc

This doesn't sound like a compliance (benefit fraud) meeting at all. There's no way that would be in a children's centre and it would be worded very differently from your usual appointment letter.

I don’t think it’s a benefits fraud thing although I did wonder abit as the questions are down right odd! Exes name and address (not giving that he is fully absent) asking if he pays maintenance, he doesn’t and can’t be bothered to explain why to them. Who lives at my address and wants their full names. Seems very peculiar to me, but then my ex is absent like I said haven’t seen him in 3 years so not sure where benefits fraud could come from. I definitely still have to attend the job centre despite 2 on dla both getting Mrc and lrm. They make me attend every 6 months. But never in the children’s centre before and I worry how private that would be, atleast with the job centre we are all in there for the same reason but I think a children’s centre is a little bit off, it’s like having a job centre appointment at my children’s school. I wouldn’t want to go as it would Be embarrassing since there is still a big stigma around claiming benefits.

Some of the questions I was referring to.

This is all very strange. I would probably not fill in the form and just turn up to the appointment and find out what is going on. I hope it all goes okay. Let us know x

Thank you, I’m glad it’s not just me that thinks it’s strange. I’m caring for 2 disabled children 24/7 I have no family and father is absent. I honestly don’t know where they think I can fit in the time to work aswell. I’m even expected to pick my daughter up from school whenever they can me at the drop of a hat.

Under Universal Credit rules if you are caring for anyone for 35 hours a week or more who is in receipt of middle or higher rate DLA you are not required to attend interviews. I would check they have your circumstances recorded correctly at the appointment.

Sorry should have said I am on the old system still of income support. It gets weirder! They just called me earlier to confirm the appointment and to give me directions to the place (never had this before ) she also said make sure I bring the form, and if I am bringing the children (will only be bringing my youngest who is 2) that they will have toys ready for her

This all sounds so odd! If I were you I would call the official DWP number and check they have an appointment on the system for you just to be sure.

If you're concerned regarding privacy issues (which personally I would too), ring them and say, and at the same time sound them out- is there an issue as this is different to your usual meeting, do you need legal advice or an advocate, will the meeting take some time as child will need medication/get tired/ need additional items.

Yeh I am concerned about privacy, it’s in a primary school as she said on the phone. Do job centres hold appointments in primary school? I can’t see why they would it’s bizarre. It’s further than the actual job centre. Think I’m going to have to call them tomorrow to clarify it. I also think it’s weird that they called
Me to check that I was coming, again something they’ve never done before.

I work in a job centre. We don't do appointments outside of it. The compliance team also use our premises to do their appointments. I'm not saying your letter is definitely a hoax as there may be a different procedure in another district I am unaware of but I would definitely call the DWP (and not the number on your letter) and check that this is a legitimate appointment. I am not sure of the processes with income support.

It doesn't sound like a DWP/Job Center meeting at all.
Have you applied for any grants or anything recently? Are they checking that you're eligible?

Very strange. Don't fill out the form until you're 100% certain what they want it for and definitely ring the DWP number (find it on google, not the one on the letter you were sent) to query what it's about and why it's in the CC.

I've just googled Children's Centres and JCP meetings and found this link.

In the part under Job Centre Plus and Skills Development it says: Family Action support parents to access work and the benefits this brings to the whole family. Practical support in accessing pre-employment training , applying for jobs and interviewing as well as advising on accessing affordable childcare are just some of the services we provide.

https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/early-years/childrens-centres__trashed/

Sometimes we will refer people to external provision for further support I just find it peculiar that you've been sent such a personal list of questions and you haven't been briefed by an advisor at the Job Centre before being referred there. Normally you would have your meeting or phonecall from the Job Centre for your review and they would suggest X local provision - then refer you with your permission. Like I said it could be perfectly legit just please call the DWP first before handing over any personal details.

Sorry @StillDisappointed I thought you were the OP for a minute I shouldn't be up so late haha

There are quite a few typos in that letter. I don’t think it’s authentic.

In fact, the spelling, capitalisation and grammar in that letter are inconsistent and all over the place. It’s nothing like a real government letter.

That letter is fake!! They have misspelt a lot of things! Call the job centre as I believe this is a scam!

(By misspelt I mean grammar issues too)

Theirs, inaccurate capitalisation etc

Haha not a problem @flameprincess

Good eyes from Where and Coriander.

OP, google the DWP number tomorrow and call them first thing.
DON'T call any numbers on the letter you was sent and if anyone contacts you claiming to be from the Children's Centre DON'T give them any information.

Well I called income support who have said it is genuine this is so odd, they couldn’t tell me why it was at a school either. When I asked why I need to be seen every 6 months yet all the carers I know only Go every 3 years he said it’s up to the job centre how often they see you.

I wouldn't worry if you have done nothing wrong then I would just go with your head held high. I wouldn't fill in those forms though until I got there, ask them why?

How did your appointment go?

Hey 👋🏻 roughly every 1 or 2 years I get a compliance meeting letter through! I have a kids and care for my mother! So I get carers allowance! They've never had anything on me but it's annoying although i know they're only doing their job! I dont have a boyfriend, I dont work. This has caused my anxiety to go through the roof! I cant sleep because I'm busy trying to think back at what I I could've done to even make this happen! I keep myself to myself and dont have friends so nobody really knows what my finances are like. This is all getting to much! I'm worried that I can no longer buy anything incase they do find a reason to stop it and I have to make my money stretch until I can find a job which given this pandemic would be Impossible. I'm at a total complete loss!