UC want weekly apps, it's too much!

WithACatLikeTread · 08/02/2024 10:48

Are you single or not? How old is your youngest child? I think it is usually but maybe they might let you do it over the phone?

lalalala2 · 08/02/2024 10:49

You will have signed up to commitments with them.

If you don't do as asked they will sanction you

UC is a benefit designed to help people back into work

The only thing you could do is get signed off via the GP

Littlefish · 08/02/2024 10:59

I think this is normal. I support a number of Ukrainian women all of whom had to go for weekly appointments, in spite of it taking over an hour each way on public transport, some of them with small children.

It's seen as part if the commitment to getting a job, I suppose. If you can't get to a weekly appointment, how will you be able to commit to getting and keeping a job, seems to be the approach.

Bromptotoo · 08/02/2024 11:02

As others say how old are you're children and are they in good health?

Are you single or living with a partner?

Do you have any health issues which affect your ability to work?

artfuldodgerjack · 08/02/2024 11:04

They want you in work. If you've made yourself purposely jobless, without the means to provide for your children. And you're expecting everyone else to pay for it.
If you want the benefits then you need to follow what they ask you to do.

bythelightofthemoons · 08/02/2024 11:07

How old are your children OP?

do you have a partner ? If so And they work and earn a certain amount then you won’t be expected to look for work

Do any of your dc get dla ? If so you can apply for carers allowance and then they won’t force you to look for work.

If they insist ask for phone or video appts instead ?

BrieAndChilli · 08/02/2024 11:07

I think that the benefits systems is necessary and agree that we should support others in society but at the end of the day you are asking for money so you need to do what is requested of you in order to receive that money. I cant say to my boss i'm not coming in today and still expect to get paid!

bythelightofthemoons · 08/02/2024 11:09

artfuldodgerjack · 08/02/2024 11:04

They want you in work. If you've made yourself purposely jobless, without the means to provide for your children. And you're expecting everyone else to pay for it.
If you want the benefits then you need to follow what they ask you to do.

OP has clearly stated that she wasn’t coping with various things and needed to give up work. She has 3 young dc and clearly needs the safety net of benefits currently. Do we really want to have a go at someone struggling ? Do you want OP to be pushed beyond what she can cope with and then have a breakdown because trust me of that happens and she really can’t cope then the cost of support for 3 dc whose mother cannot look after them makes what she would have been getting prior to that a drop in the ocean

Nonametonight · 08/02/2024 12:12

If you are in the main conditionality group and you don't have a working partner, you should expect to be called in for weekly appointments where you'll be asked to show what you've been doing to look for work.

If you're a carer for someone with a disability, have a child under 3, or have a health condition or disability you shouldn't be expected to look for work.

If your health is the issue, you need to be handing in sick notes. These won't stop your appointments in the short term, but they'll mean DWP has to send you for an assessment to see if you meet their criteria for not being expected to look for work.

If you live with a partner who works, their earnings might affect whether you have to look for work, but you'd need to come back and tell us if your partner is employed or self employed and how much they earn.

I can see from your post that you're struggling, but that in itself won't be enough to exempt you from having to go to appointments. And if you don't go to the appointments then your money will be stopped.

Pollyannamex · 08/02/2024 13:15

Sorry I agree with the other posters, if I want paying I have to commute to work.

You are being asked to go in once a week in return for free money - hardly unreasonable.

WithACatLikeTread · 08/02/2024 13:42

Pollyannamex · 08/02/2024 13:15

Sorry I agree with the other posters, if I want paying I have to commute to work.

You are being asked to go in once a week in return for free money - hardly unreasonable.

It is cost her money though that she might not have.

40weeksmummy · 08/02/2024 13:44

I'm pretty sure they won't give you telephone /video appointments because you "can't cope". The only one way is to be signed off from GP is you really struggling with daily life. My friend lives rural, she had weekly appointments too, she doesn't drive, single mum for 2 and there is only 1 bus daily from her village to the city where is Job Centre. So she pays for neighbours to look after her kids while she spends all day on the bus, one day every week.

Pollyannamex · 08/02/2024 13:45

WithACatLikeTread · 08/02/2024 13:42

It is cost her money though that she might not have.

Show quote history

all of this should have been a consideration before giving up work (or having 3 kids)

it’s too late now obviously, but those are the breaks

bythelightofthemoons · 08/02/2024 13:53

40weeksmummy · 08/02/2024 13:44

I'm pretty sure they won't give you telephone /video appointments because you "can't cope". The only one way is to be signed off from GP is you really struggling with daily life. My friend lives rural, she had weekly appointments too, she doesn't drive, single mum for 2 and there is only 1 bus daily from her village to the city where is Job Centre. So she pays for neighbours to look after her kids while she spends all day on the bus, one day every week.

I don’t see why they wouldn’t ? Surely they just need to go through the same things each week and it doesn’t matter whether that’s face to face or over the phone? Just because it would make some people feel better to see OP struggling doesn’t mean it’s right ? Is this really how low we’ve got that people want to see OP ‘commute’ for her UC??? Would they want it to be a job centre further away just to make the point ? Talk about kicking someone when they are down - I guarantee with support and considerations of OPs situation she could be feeling better and back to work sooner than if she’s made to feel like shit and further exhausted by pointless journies when a phone call would achieve the same

40weeksmummy · 08/02/2024 13:55

I really feel it as I'm mum of 2. Shit happens, I had happy marriage and wouldn't think about bad days. Now I'm on benefits too and in quite bad circumstances. However, I'm really grateful that I can get UC and please, don't have this attitude that government should pay you because you have bad days, you are overwhelmed, etc.

OrionStridesIn · 08/02/2024 13:59

@Newnameee depending on what else is going on in your life, do you think you could do with a GP visit anyway, if everything is getting too much?

From experience, when I first had to sign on to UC, my life was in a mess, having just separated from an abusive husband, with ongoing police involvement. It was the work coach in the job centre who actually told me to get signed off as I was in no fit state to work. They were great, tbh. So if you are genuinely struggling, this is an option.

I'll add that I went back to work 3 months later whilst still signed off (my choice) and have since moved to a much better full time job and been promoted. I like that UC supports working people. But if you are genuinely struggling that badly you need to go to the GP.

DragonFly98 · 08/02/2024 14:03

can you give more detail about why you gave up work and any family health issues?

Coconutter24 · 08/02/2024 14:07

Newnameee · 08/02/2024 10:45

Hi can anyone advise.. I have three small children and have just given up my part time job as I couldn't cope with that and all that is currently going on in my life. UC are insistent i start looking again and want me to attend weekly appointments at their centre which is a 40 min drive which is going to cost a fortune in that alone. Can I explain it is too hard for me at the moment every week.. does anyone have any experience with this or am I stuck with this? Thank you

What is it that you feel you can’t cope with? Did you think properly about what you would do financially before leaving your job or how you may have a lot going on but whatever those things are surely financial troubles on top of that will only make things worse? I don’t want to sound harsh but you’ve given up work so if you’re expecting UC then yes you should attend the meetings. A 40 min drive is costly but had you remained in work you wouldn’t be having to do this. Do you have any help with children?

feelingalittlehorse · 08/02/2024 14:34

I’m sorry to hear you have found yourself in a shitty situation, however, as a poster said above, unfortunately, thems the breaks. You have two options- claim UC and attend their weekly appointments. Or get a job. Those are your two options for getting money in your pocket.

There has to be some regulation and monitoring on this, otherwise anyone could just say they were looking for work, when in reality they can’t be arsed/ don’t want to do the jobs available.

freshstartfor2024 · 08/02/2024 14:38

İf you're struggling mentally get your GP to write you a sick note for anxiety and depression and upload it to your UC account. They'll send you limited capacity for work forms which you can fill in.

Goinoutalone · 08/02/2024 14:45

Just make it your one outing of the week if you can and tie in a good shop etc at the same time perhaps?

Goinoutalone · 08/02/2024 14:57

I meant food shop

Original poster

Newnameee · 08/02/2024 15:22

Thanks to those who have answered my question without the judgement but alas this is Mumsnet so it should be expected. I have had two breakdowns since Christmas, am very fragile, and I know I'm not fit to work currently and weekly trips will be very costly. I am single. I have worked for 15 years previous to this so I feel I have paid in to have a bit of support when I need it now.

I will speak to my GP for signing off as that seems to be sensible suggestions. Thank you.

OP posts:

OrionStridesIn · 08/02/2024 15:26

@Newnameee you absolutely need to be signed off in those circumstances, anyone with any sense would agree you are unfit to work right now.

This is what the system should be there for, to support people when they need it. It's meant to be a safety net for people- I agree with @bythelightofthemoons completely on this.

I hope you get well soon.

Bromptotoo · 08/02/2024 15:36

If you have a health issue you need to let UC know and get a fit note from your GP or other treating Healthcare Professional. Although you'll still be technically in the All Work Group your job coach/case manager should cut you some slack.

You'll then be expected to complete a Work Capability Assessment - form UC50.

If you need help with that try Citizens Advice or another similar outfit local to you.