Jobseekers allowance

[why0whydear]

It's a last minute because I forgot to change the appointment time. I absolutely cannot go on Monday for my second interview with work coach due to personal and childcare reasons.

I told my work coach at the first interview that Mondays don't suit me. But she was insisting I do Mondays and get my kid along. But I don't want to take my DC there.

What would be a suitable reason to change appointment time. Will they put me on a sanction?
Thanks

Realistically, if you have personal and childcare reasons to not attend your job seeking appointments, how will you do an actual job?

I think realistically if you want benefits you'll need to play ball. So you need to change your personal plans, and take your child with you. I wouldn't risk it.

As much as they discourage kids, the jobcentre seems to have loads 😉 I'm sure your child will survive!

Job seekers when you have a kid not at school?

It's not really the time of year I'd risk having money messed around with though. I'd take the kid with you if you can't get childcare.

When you're in a job you often have to do things you'd prefer not to.

Why is this any different?

Take the kids unless you can get childcare.

Well you aren't really available for work. So stop claiming jobseekers allowance.

Yes, you will be sanctioned if you don't have a compelling reason. Perhaps another benefit would suit you better if you are not available for work?

You forgot to change your appointment? That’s all you had to do to ensure you received money on time? A bit silly of you.

Thanks everyone for your input.

DC was in nursery full time 5 days a week until a few months ago. But recently pulled them out for 2 days a week as can't afford the nursery fee when I'm basically home unemployed. I can re enroll them to a nursery when I get a job on an immediate basis as I know they have spaces.

I will try to attend the interview. Thank you!

They do it deliberately to make it hard for you, there will be many inconvenient appointments you will have to attend even when they seem completely pointless.
For example I have a one year old and don’t have to look for full time employment until they’re 3 (I currently work part-time) but I still have to go to a 2 hour cv writing workshop next week - despite being told I have a brilliant cv (and I used to run cv building workshops myself) purely because I’ve been told it’s a mandatory box ticking exercise that everyone has to do.

unfortunately you’ll have to suck it up if you want the payment and just go and take your child with you, otherwise they will sanction you.