work focused interview, very annoyed, and yes I realise I have no right to be but...

[beansmum]

Do they think I can just rearrnge my plans with practically no notice. I just got sent a letter with appointment details for this STUPID interview. I can't make it that day as I am providing childcare for a daytime alpha course all day. Phoned the number on the letter which put me through to Galashiels for some reason (I live in edinburgh). Very rude lady told me that if I don't have a good reason for missing the interview I could lose benefits and didn't seem to think my reason was good enough.

eventually got her to rearrange the interview but only after a lot of questions and just felt a bit that it's assumed I have nothing better to do and that any reason I give them for being busy that day must be a lie. felt a bit like she thought I was just too lazy to get up for a 9am appointment and was making excuses. Maybe if they gave me a bit more notice I could have arranged my other commitments to fit around this.

I am being totally unreasonable I know.

Maybe they have a lot of people who really just can't be bothered but in any case she shouldnt have made you feel this way especially if its the first time you've cancelled an appointment like that.

Try not to take it personally, she probably had a rubbish weekend ! [wonk]

er.. sorry. that should have been

wonk

Have never cancelled an appointment before, even though they are a total waste of time, involve changing bus twice and take half a day travelling and waiting for a 5 min interview.

I DO take it personally, I suppose I'm just a bit sensitive when I think people are suggesting I do nothing all day. Which she probably wasn't.

I think they're completely out of order to assume you're sitting on your backside all day, waiting for this letter.

I'm betting she had a bad day too - not fair to take it out on you though ...

If i remember you have to declare any work you do when on benefits, including voluntary work.

Plus a 9am appointment could easily be argued that you haveto get the children to school and therefore can't make it at that time, assuming your children are of school age.

Don't take her doubts and insisting you give agood reason personally. There is a lot of fraud out there and they'r ealways on the look out. If you have nothing to hide then there's nothing to worry about.

I used to get highly fed up (polite version of my feelings) that the Council Tax Benefit people would turn up on my doorstep (no letter or phone call) and expect me to be in and able and willing to immediately invite them in, even though my council tax benefit was reduced because i was now working... They even turned up at 3.20 one time, and i explained my son needed collecting from school so they were welcome to wait (outside) while i went and collected him!

They're just doing their job at the end of the day. Sympathy and understanding rarely comes into it i find, though they probably do understand and simply aren't allowed to express it.

Glad they managed to change it for you.
Try not to have too much fun when you go!
Gilly

I will change WFI appointments if requested, no problem. I also do them over the phone if necessary. Central Lone Parent Admin in Edinburgh is probably in Galashiels, which is why you got put through to them. Next time, phone the adviser directly at your Jobcentre and they will happily change it for a time that suits you.

Sorry you got such short shrift today, especially if it's the first appointment you had to miss. We get 3 months to see you before we get slapped wrists, so she was just being a beatch.Also, if you just didn't turn up, we need to give you 5 days to contact us before we sanction your IS, so actually letting us know you couldn't make it is extremely courteous on your behalf.

And yes, you do have to let us know about the Alpha Course thing (in case some busybody reports you to Fraud).

Hope your day got better.

KS
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Do I really have to let people know about the Alpha course thing? I'm just looking after a couple of kids while the mums do the course as a favour for the person running it. What about running a parent and toddler group, do I have to tell them about that? Is it important that I tell them soon or can it wait until this interview thingy next week?

I have volunteered in schools and never told anyone - you ain't getting paid so it won't make any difference to benefits.

These interviews are a total waste of time - I've had to sit through 4 of them whilst at uni and she never failed to ask "what are you doing next year then" (they were usually around Nov time).... so I'd say that my degree lasts for 3 years then I'll have a post-grad course for another year which she noted.... lo and behold, the next interview - the same question - even though she had the answer staring her in the face!!

yep, a total waste of time. Since having ds I have either been a full time student or doing OU courses. At each interview I tell her this and she agrees that I don't need help with courses or finding work and I go home. fun fun fun.

I have been a student for 7 years now & never once have had a work focused interview. What are they?

You have to attend a WFI if you claim Income Support as a lone parent.

And yes, if you are a student in continuing education, they are a waste of time for you. But unfortunately, it's the law. And we have to ask you questions, we can't assume anything no mater how obvious it may seem to you.

And we don't assume you have nothing better to do. Some of us are lone parents ourselves and all bar one of the advisers in my office are parents.

I'm sorry you feel aggrieved at having to come into the Jobcentre a minimum of twice a year in order for your claim to continue. But please remember, its not the adviser who made the rules. Take it up with your MP.

And yes, if you are doing voluntary work it has to be declared.

I know you are all just doing your jobs and I know I am being completely unreasonable but I need to moan to someone sometimes. ds doesn't really listen!

Moan away!

And you are not being completely unreasonable. IMO, that's the Government's job!

Hope your studies are going well. I'm supposed to be studying now.........

KS
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