Universal credit interview!

[Miasmom]

Hi all,

I have an interview for uc tomorrow and I wondered if anyone knew how long the interviews were? I have a hospital appointment not long after and I’m not sure if I will be able to make both!!
Thanks in advance!

They can take a while but take proof of you appointment in and they should be fine and let you go early. I'd make sure you still attend as it's a pain rearranging if you don't.

If you mean the initial one one then mine took about 45 minutes IIRC - there was nothing difficult about it, just lots of time spent photocopying things and getting you to fill out different forms etc. For the later interviews (the regular ones with your assigned work coach) there was nothing to them, they were done in about 5-10 minutes That was just for regular unemployment benefit though (what used to be JSA), so if you're applying for disability etc then I have no idea, it might take longer.

Hi all I know this is an older thread but i was wondering if you could explain what the first work coach meeting is like after the initial interview at job centre. I have my first official meeting with my work coach tomorrow to discuss my claimant commitment etc but my anxuety is through the roof as i dont know what I'm to expect.. can someone help explain it to me. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi hazel, it's really nothing to worry about. The first meeting with your work coach is just to see what jobs there are that could be of interest to you. They will ask what you have been doing to activily seek work and show you how to record it on your online journal (if they haven't already). They will get you to sign the agreement stating what you need to do before your next meeting. 10 minutes max.

Thankyou happyhippie, I'm just concerned as i am a single parent to a 1 year old girl and I am battling my depression and anxiety so I'm concerned about being pressured to work.. do you know if the same rules apply to single parents?

You will have no work commitments until your child is 3 years. At age 2 you may get called to a meeting just to discuss preparation to return to work. Theres nothing to stop you looking for work before then if you want to. UC will pay up to 85% of childcare costs.