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UC commitments worry
- GottaBe
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3 years 9 months ago #261429 by GottaBe
UC commitments worry was created by GottaBe
Hi,
I made an application for the limited capability for work element of Universal Credit in February 2020 and the claim has been dragging on ever since. I filled in a form this time last year, but had had no contact with UC since then, apart from a phone call from someone who was trying to get me to say that I could look for work (which I didn't do).
Today, I got my first call from them for nearly a year. My commitments were revised, so that I had to have a phone call appointment once a month, but apart from being told that things would potentially change after I was assessed (for which a date has still not been set 16 months on), I was led to believe that was all there was to it.
However, on signing into my account, I looked at the commitments and found that the sentence "I'll spend 1 hours a week looking and preparing for work" had been thrown in. This was not discussed and I have no idea what it is I'm expected to do. If it involves searching for work, then I can't do it as I am unable to work and have a sick note (which they know). Also, having not been assessed, I don't understand why they would do this: are they not supposed to assess whether or not I'm fit for work before asking me to look for work?
I haven't signed up to the commitments, as I have a week and will not commit to something that I haven't been told about, especially when I don't understand what it is. I have sent a message in my journal asking for clarification. However, I thought that I would post here to ask if anybody knows if this is a mistake and what is likely to be expected of me if not: will I be expected to actually search for work, or if it's a form of words and they're expecting me to do something like make out a CV or something?
gb
I made an application for the limited capability for work element of Universal Credit in February 2020 and the claim has been dragging on ever since. I filled in a form this time last year, but had had no contact with UC since then, apart from a phone call from someone who was trying to get me to say that I could look for work (which I didn't do).
Today, I got my first call from them for nearly a year. My commitments were revised, so that I had to have a phone call appointment once a month, but apart from being told that things would potentially change after I was assessed (for which a date has still not been set 16 months on), I was led to believe that was all there was to it.
However, on signing into my account, I looked at the commitments and found that the sentence "I'll spend 1 hours a week looking and preparing for work" had been thrown in. This was not discussed and I have no idea what it is I'm expected to do. If it involves searching for work, then I can't do it as I am unable to work and have a sick note (which they know). Also, having not been assessed, I don't understand why they would do this: are they not supposed to assess whether or not I'm fit for work before asking me to look for work?
I haven't signed up to the commitments, as I have a week and will not commit to something that I haven't been told about, especially when I don't understand what it is. I have sent a message in my journal asking for clarification. However, I thought that I would post here to ask if anybody knows if this is a mistake and what is likely to be expected of me if not: will I be expected to actually search for work, or if it's a form of words and they're expecting me to do something like make out a CV or something?
gb
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- Gary
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3 years 9 months ago #261500 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic UC commitments worry
Hi GottaBe
Until you sign the claimant commitment then you will not be entitled to UC.
DWP can decide that you do not need to accept a commitment if :
~ You lack capacity to do so
~ Exceptional circumstances apply in which it would be unreasonable to expect you to accept a commitment.
What are exceptional circumstances
~ You are in hospital and likely to be there for weeks
~ The jobcentre office is closed due to an emergency
~ there is a domestic emergency preventing you from accepting the commitment
~ you are terminally ill
The claimant commitment is normally developed through the UC interview with your work coach.
Almost one in ten UC claims are closed down because of a failure to accept a claimant commitment; either due to a failure to book or take part in an interview or a failure to accept the commitment at the interview.
You can get the period extended in which to accept the commitment if you ask the DWP to review any action proposed as a work search requirement or whether limitations should apply to either of theses requirements, as long as the DWP considers the request reasonable.
Gary
Until you sign the claimant commitment then you will not be entitled to UC.
DWP can decide that you do not need to accept a commitment if :
~ You lack capacity to do so
~ Exceptional circumstances apply in which it would be unreasonable to expect you to accept a commitment.
What are exceptional circumstances
~ You are in hospital and likely to be there for weeks
~ The jobcentre office is closed due to an emergency
~ there is a domestic emergency preventing you from accepting the commitment
~ you are terminally ill
The claimant commitment is normally developed through the UC interview with your work coach.
Almost one in ten UC claims are closed down because of a failure to accept a claimant commitment; either due to a failure to book or take part in an interview or a failure to accept the commitment at the interview.
You can get the period extended in which to accept the commitment if you ask the DWP to review any action proposed as a work search requirement or whether limitations should apply to either of theses requirements, as long as the DWP considers the request reasonable.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- BennyFit
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3 years 9 months ago #261508 by BennyFit
Replied by BennyFit on topic UC commitments worry
Hi
Best to read them and change or agree them with your work coach, bits you can't do or won't work throw them out and when agreed to a commitment document just sign it to get your money etc. It's written in stone - no commitment = no benefits
Best to read them and change or agree them with your work coach, bits you can't do or won't work throw them out and when agreed to a commitment document just sign it to get your money etc. It's written in stone - no commitment = no benefits
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- MrFibro
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3 years 9 months ago #261517 by MrFibro
Replied by MrFibro on topic UC commitments worry
Hi Gary,
In such circumstances would a claimant still get housing benefit, for not signing a commitment form ?
Regards.
In such circumstances would a claimant still get housing benefit, for not signing a commitment form ?
Regards.
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- Gary
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3 years 9 months ago #261528 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic UC commitments worry
Hi mrfibrospondodysthmatic
Short answer is ....... NO
Once you apply for UC you cannot then go back on legacy benefits.
Gary
Short answer is ....... NO
Once you apply for UC you cannot then go back on legacy benefits.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- ThisGovernmentsGoneToFar
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3 years 9 months ago #261530 by ThisGovernmentsGoneToFar
As I've said Mrfibro I won't ever claim UC, but claim under a nil income basis.
The only way to get HB is claim under a nil income through your council.
I was formely known as (GoingOffMyHeadWithThisGovernment) Won PIP November 2017 ongoing award HR both. Now kept and got my ESA Support group but took a while.
Replied by ThisGovernmentsGoneToFar on topic UC commitments worry
Hi Gary,
In such circumstances would a claimant still get housing benefit, for not signing a commitment form ?
Regards.
As I've said Mrfibro I won't ever claim UC, but claim under a nil income basis.
The only way to get HB is claim under a nil income through your council.
I was formely known as (GoingOffMyHeadWithThisGovernment) Won PIP November 2017 ongoing award HR both. Now kept and got my ESA Support group but took a while.
The following user(s) said Thank You: MrFibro
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