A young family friend of mine is on the Restart Scheme and recieves UC. They have a volunteering position that they love plus a zero hours contract with the same company that offer paid work when it is available however it is usually only around 5 hours a week. My friend declares this income and I assume the UC is an income top up payment (Im unfamiliar with how UC works).
Anyway a position has come up at this company for a paid 10 hours a week job which my friend really wants and the job is guaranteed for him. There is a chance for extra hours hours and career progression over time. However Restart have said that unless my friend finds a 16 hour a week job, he will still have to attend courses and job interviews arranged by them regardless of if this will interfere with his new work hours and that if he does nt go to these appts his UC will be stopped. They are putting a lot of pressure on him to turn the job down because it won't be worth his time and seem to be using his UC which my friend will still need, as an incentive for him to not take it. This person is still under 21 , autistic and has severe anxiety so this worry and uncertainty is causing him a great deal of stress as is the thought of no longer being able to work for this company who are brilliant at supporting his needs. He has also made friends there and his confidence and self esteem has soared. I don't know how to advice as I'm unfamiliar with the situation and whilst the company sympathise, they cannot afford a guaranteed 16 hours. They are very flexible and accomodating but won't be able to spare my friend disappearing off to.attend workshops and 6 week long courses all the time and certainly would nt tolerate him attending other job interviews on their time!
Does nt anyone more clued up with the system then me have any words of advice? I said could he not just leave the Restart Scheme but apparantly he would nt get the UC without it which I'm.not sure is true?
Thanks!