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UC work commitments whilst waiting for MR
- Notyniki
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2 years 11 months ago #268562 by Notyniki
UC work commitments whilst waiting for MR was created by Notyniki
Hi,
I have searched the forum but cannot find anything to help me with this situation.
I'm waiting to hear back about my mandatory reconsideration submission. I understand that, in the meantime, I am being treated by my work coach at the job centre as being capable for work.
My work coach is allowing me to do telephone appointments as I am unable to make the 1 hour journey to the job centre etc due to my health problems. These appointments were monthly in the period up until the WCA decision and are now weekly. The work coach sets certain commitments that I have to accept. I have told her that I fully intend to appeal if needs be and she is aware of my disabilities and limitations but she is still insisting that I actively look for work 35 hours a week. One of my commitments this week is
"I'll look for and take any work that I'm able to do, including:
Admin
Sales
Working from home
I'll also apply for any jobs recommended by my work coach."
I know I have to accept commitments to avoid sanctions. Can anyone give me advice on how to deal with my work coach and help me to help her to understand my situation? From my perspective, nothing has changed. I still believe I am not capable of work hence me asking for a mandatory reconsideration and intending to appeal should the MR come back decision unchanged.
I can't physically or mentally spend 35 hours searching for work - if I could then I would have a job and I never would have had to give up my previous job! Just because the assessment decision has come back as capable for work - that letter wasn't a magic wand that miraculously cured me!
Is it a case of just paying lip service? It am finding it quite stressful and need some helpful hints or examples of what to say to her.
Hope that makes sense.
Best wishes, Notyniki
I have searched the forum but cannot find anything to help me with this situation.
I'm waiting to hear back about my mandatory reconsideration submission. I understand that, in the meantime, I am being treated by my work coach at the job centre as being capable for work.
My work coach is allowing me to do telephone appointments as I am unable to make the 1 hour journey to the job centre etc due to my health problems. These appointments were monthly in the period up until the WCA decision and are now weekly. The work coach sets certain commitments that I have to accept. I have told her that I fully intend to appeal if needs be and she is aware of my disabilities and limitations but she is still insisting that I actively look for work 35 hours a week. One of my commitments this week is
"I'll look for and take any work that I'm able to do, including:
Admin
Sales
Working from home
I'll also apply for any jobs recommended by my work coach."
I know I have to accept commitments to avoid sanctions. Can anyone give me advice on how to deal with my work coach and help me to help her to understand my situation? From my perspective, nothing has changed. I still believe I am not capable of work hence me asking for a mandatory reconsideration and intending to appeal should the MR come back decision unchanged.
I can't physically or mentally spend 35 hours searching for work - if I could then I would have a job and I never would have had to give up my previous job! Just because the assessment decision has come back as capable for work - that letter wasn't a magic wand that miraculously cured me!
Is it a case of just paying lip service? It am finding it quite stressful and need some helpful hints or examples of what to say to her.
Hope that makes sense.
Best wishes, Notyniki
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- Gary
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2 years 11 months ago #268595 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic UC work commitments whilst waiting for MR
Hi Notyniki
A claimant commitment is a contract that if you fail to carry out what is in the contract may result in a sanction.
The conditions for claiming Universal Credit are set out in a "claimant commitment" that most people will have to accept at the beginning of their claim. If you are part of a couple, you will each have a separate claimant commitment that may be different from each other's.
People who may not need to accept a commitment include those who lack capacity, those who have exceptional circumstances where it would be unreasonable to expect them to agree a commitment (this is decided by the work coach on a case by case basis), or, from 15 February 2022 they have a terminal illness and have less than 6 months to live. There are 4 conditionality groups:
* Group 1. No work related requirements
* Group 2. Work-focused interview requirement
* Group 3. Work preparation requirement
* Group 4. All work-related requirements
Check out the following website for more details on claimant commitments
www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Claimant-commitment-Universal-Credit
You may need the help of your local Welfare Rights Organisation if your workcoach is playing hardball; you can find your local Welfare Rights Organisation to help you with advice by clicking on the link below and putting in your post code, it will then come up with a MAP with a list of agencies. advicelocal.uk
Gary
A claimant commitment is a contract that if you fail to carry out what is in the contract may result in a sanction.
The conditions for claiming Universal Credit are set out in a "claimant commitment" that most people will have to accept at the beginning of their claim. If you are part of a couple, you will each have a separate claimant commitment that may be different from each other's.
People who may not need to accept a commitment include those who lack capacity, those who have exceptional circumstances where it would be unreasonable to expect them to agree a commitment (this is decided by the work coach on a case by case basis), or, from 15 February 2022 they have a terminal illness and have less than 6 months to live. There are 4 conditionality groups:
* Group 1. No work related requirements
* Group 2. Work-focused interview requirement
* Group 3. Work preparation requirement
* Group 4. All work-related requirements
Check out the following website for more details on claimant commitments
www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Claimant-commitment-Universal-Credit
You may need the help of your local Welfare Rights Organisation if your workcoach is playing hardball; you can find your local Welfare Rights Organisation to help you with advice by clicking on the link below and putting in your post code, it will then come up with a MAP with a list of agencies. advicelocal.uk
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- 00Mark
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2 years 11 months ago #268798 by 00Mark
Replied by 00Mark on topic UC work commitments whilst waiting for MR
Good luck Notyniki!
Work coaches are clearly inconsistent; mine has been extremely sympathetic and encouraging, and given me six weeks between appointments.
I've been classified as LCW, but am awaiting MR because I should be in the protected group.
So far all the frontline DWP and Atos staff I've dealt with have been helping and compassionate. I think the problems are with those higher up the pyramid.
Mark
Work coaches are clearly inconsistent; mine has been extremely sympathetic and encouraging, and given me six weeks between appointments.
I've been classified as LCW, but am awaiting MR because I should be in the protected group.
So far all the frontline DWP and Atos staff I've dealt with have been helping and compassionate. I think the problems are with those higher up the pyramid.
Mark
The following user(s) said Thank You: Notyniki
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