Nico

[Nicojame]

Im on universal credit and have supplied two 4 week fit notes,sick notes wich haven't ran out yet. My advisor at job centre rang me today to arrange appointment to do my claim commitment. And said I have to attend even when supplying note. Is this the case ? 

[peck]

Nico, I'm not sure about this but I'm sure someone will come along shortly who does.Good luck Peck.😊

[tulips123]

suggest contact Janet, forum benefits advisor tel. [phone]

[Nicojame in reply to tulips123]

Cheers

[rosewine]

I am presuming youhave been put in the WRAG group. It means you are deemed to be able to engage in 'work related activity' i.e. talking to an employment adviser about your future return to the workplace, and what support you might need to arrive at that stage. The first appointment is with an Employment Adviser in the Jobcentre. It does not mean they are going to try and force you back to work at this stage.

I know it is somewhere years back now but I can remember whilst my OH was  on ESA him being asked to go along to see an advisor even though he was quite ill to talk things over.  I went with him as I was quite concerned that they would try to push him back into work before he had even been assessed. The young woman he saw was actually done and tried to ascertain what he had  ended up being so ill.  What his job entailed, how far he has to travel to work.  They then drew up an outline plan of perhaps getting him back to work in the future and arranged for him to attend a local centre to have one one to one session with someone and some group sessions.  His was a mental health problem.

I myself was called in to see a Disability officer because mine was a physical problem.  He was very understanding and in fact put the recommendation forward that at that time and he thought not in the immediate future would I be fit to return to work.

You have to be careful about refusing without good reason as they do have the power to stop benefits I believe especially if there are repeat refusals. Hope this helps.  Do get advice if you feel you are absolutely incapable of attending.  Let us know what happens.x😊

[Nicojame in reply to rosewine]

Yeah it was for my wife who has been placed on sick through bereavement and depression and she no longer is able to go out through day as she becomes upset etc when around others and has been given sick notes until she gets an appointment with councillor and is waiting for sessions to start. Imjust concerned that she will get stressed pputat having to go to job centre. I hhavent told her yet as I wanted to be 100% ,.thanks

[rosewine in reply to Nicojame]

Yes I can fully understand that I was extremely worried about my husband as only those close to them can see the suffering depression brings.  I wonder because she is so ill but is taking measures to get well by seeking counselling whether her GP could do a note to the Job Centre saying that in their opinion because of her present problems going out and being around people they think it would be detrimental to her health to have to attend an interview at the present time?

[TheAuthor]

Hi Nicojame

Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I can see that you have been given some wonderful replies and it is worth ringing or emailing Janet from the FMA UK benefits helpline. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Nicojame in reply to TheAuthor]

Cheers

[Fluffybunny80]

If you are still having to provide sick notes then you won't have been put so any group plus doing a claimant commitment sounds like JSA to me (Well the UC equivalent) so you don't get put into groups.

Have you thought about claiming ESA? 

[Nicojame in reply to Fluffybunny80]

Shes not in groups. Not had any assessment done no survey form after 28 days sick nothing. Got call yesterday saying still have to attend job centre for work advisor as normal. When used to sign on in past once sick note in donthave to go job centre. Anyone know the rrulesregson universal credit. Been all over gov.com no help.?  

[Fluffybunny80 in reply to Nicojame]

This doesn't sound right to me.

There must be a way of switching to ESA in UC though I know it won't be called that.

Best bet is to ring DWP not job centre. Ask their advice.

Is she likely to be put off again do you know? As then she could be better placed to tell DWP that there is no point even doing a claimant commitment when she won't be job hunting anytime soon!

Hope they can help and she gets it sorted.

I know ESA and PIP inside out but UC is still very new to me and most people, the the job centre staff it seems!

I will do some poking about in meantime too to see if I can find out anything for you.

Fluffy xx

[Fluffybunny80 in reply to Fluffybunny80]

You don't get an assessment when claiming the job seekers side, that's only for esa claim so don't expect an assessment.

They may think once the note runs out that's it and there won't be another one. That's why you need to clear this up with them as if it's long term sick then it should be different.

[Nicojame in reply to Fluffybunny80]

Cheers

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi Nico

I would highly recommend that you get in touch with our own benefits advisor Janet. 

I have given you the link below for her full contact details. They are pinned to the right of the forum if you ever need them again:

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

Drop her an email and see what she has to say. 

Good luck I hope you find the answers you need. 

Wishing you much peace

Lu x

Volunteer Administrator 

[Nicojame in reply to BlueMermaid3]

Cheers

[Hidden]

Yes it is correct you need to suppy fit/sick notes to get your benefits, IF you are not able to attend an interview then let them know,in my town they come to you!

[Newquay]

Sounds to me that you are not in any group, ? I think if your not in the support group and still putting sick notes in I take it your nit, I think you might have to go to job centre. 

Ask Janet sure she will no.

[cc120]

Doubt it Nicojame. Some great info on benefitsandwork.co.uk and unemploymentmovement.com.

On the second you can post questions, on the first there is a lot of available info, but to post a question you need to become a member, 1 year membership £19.00 but usually a discount available for £15.

I will ask your question and see what they say.

[Nicojame in reply to cc120]

Cheers

[cc120 in reply to cc120]

Is it a sick note or a fit note that she has Nicojame?

[Nicojame in reply to cc120]

Well its the new fit note that replaced old sick notes basically same. ?

[cc120 in reply to Nicojame]

Yes, you're right Nicojame, but just wanted to be specific with my question on b&w. As it is, I put fit note, probably get answer tomorrow.

I am sure that Janet will give you the definitive reply, but I will post the answer from b&w anyway.

[Nicojame in reply to cc120]

Cheers I emailed janetfrom link twice but had no reply as yet.  

[cc120 in reply to Nicojame]

Hi Nico, did u try calling her (tulips123-suggest contact Janet, forum benefits advisor tel. [phone]) have to be Monday now : (

Another reply from unemploymentmovement.com:

Daniel:

'I've a reasonable amount of knowledge and experience about JSA, but not about UC. And I find the information about UC harder to find and the material put out by the DWP, such as the UC DMG, harder to understand. It just looks like there is less precise information or there are too many gaps or something. Maybe it's just me.

Anyway, I can't answer your question.

This link takes you to where you can download pdf's of the UC DMG Decision Making Staff Guide ( there are other documents about other benefits on that page, as well).

gov.uk/government/publicati...

Chapter J2 describes the four work-related groups and the four work-related requirements. The four work-related requirements include the " work-focused interview requirement". I'm not sure if there is only one type of interview under UC or not.

In Chapter J3 at J3215 it deals with when a claimant is unfit for work and provides a fit note. In those circumstances it says that a work-search requirement cannot be imposed on the claimant, but doesn't mention a work-focused interview requirement!? It does say-

" The claimant also does not have to be able and willing to immediately take up work or attend an interview."

I take that to mean a job interview. But common sense would say that if you don't have to be available for a job interview then that would apply also to an interview at jcp.

JSA claimants who are temporarily sick and self-certificate or provide a fit note are excused attendance at jcp, so you might think the same would apply under UC, but I wouldn't like to say for sure.

If you are really stuck perhaps you might consider phoning your adviser? I don't know about your particular circumstances, but if your too ill to attend and an interview has been arranged since you've fallen ill then you might want to talk directly with your adviser?

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Edit: Ch.J3 para J3216 Example 4 is worth reading even though it doesn't provide a definite answer. '

[cc120 in reply to Nicojame]

Hi Nicojame, this was the reply from benefitsandwork.co.uk:

QUESTION: If someone is on universal credit and has 2 x 4 week fit notes that are current, is it compulsory to attend an appointment to go through a claimant commitment during the span of the fit note?

ANSWER: 'I'm afraid we do not advise on this aspect of Universal Credit.

I've done a quick search and found the following which may be of help:

DWP procedure when fit notes are sent in (Universal Credit) -

whatdotheyknow.com/request/... '

[Nicojame in reply to cc120]

Yeah ive read all that but doesnt say anything about being made to attend job centre while sick. 

[cc120 in reply to Nicojame]

Disappointing they weren't of any help.

Don't see why they can't advise on this aspect of UC.

I know they advise on applying for ESA, etc mostly.

If in the unliklihood I get a better reply from them will post, but good luck with Janet, I'm sure you will get a better reply from her.

I've posted the question on unemploymentmovement.com, not sure I put it in the right category, is under JobCentrePlus. Posted it under universal credit also. Feel free to post yourself.

[cc120 in reply to cc120]

2nd posting of this, thought for clarity would put at end of conversation:

Hi Nico, did u try calling her (tulips123-suggest contact Janet, forum benefits advisor tel. [phone]) have to be Monday now : (

Another reply from unemploymentmovement.com:

Daniel:

'I've a reasonable amount of knowledge and experience about JSA, but not about UC. And I find the information about UC harder to find and the material put out by the DWP, such as the UC DMG, harder to understand. It just looks like there is less precise information or there are too many gaps or something. Maybe it's just me.

Anyway, I can't answer your question.

This link takes you to where you can download pdf's of the UC DMG Decision Making Staff Guide ( there are other documents about other benefits on that page, as well).

gov.uk/government/publicati...

Chapter J2 describes the four work-related groups and the four work-related requirements. The four work-related requirements include the " work-focused interview requirement". I'm not sure if there is only one type of interview under UC or not.

In Chapter J3 at J3215 it deals with when a claimant is unfit for work and provides a fit note. In those circumstances it says that a work-search requirement cannot be imposed on the claimant, but doesn't mention a work-focused interview requirement!? It does say-

" The claimant also does not have to be able and willing to immediately take up work or attend an interview."

I take that to mean a job interview. But common sense would say that if you don't have to be available for a job interview then that would apply also to an interview at jcp.

JSA claimants who are temporarily sick and self-certificate or provide a fit note are excused attendance at jcp, so you might think the same would apply under UC, but I wouldn't like to say for sure.

If you are really stuck perhaps you might consider phoning your adviser? I don't know about your particular circumstances, but if your too ill to attend and an interview has been arranged since you've fallen ill then you might want to talk directly with your adviser?

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Edit: Ch.J3 para J3216 Example 4 is worth reading even though it doesn't provide a definite answer. '

[cc120]

Did you manage to contact Janet Nico?

No replies on unemploymentmovement.com as yet : (