Jobcentre appointments/UC commitments

Hi, I'm new to the forum and have a question about Jobcentre appointments/UC commitments while waiting for assessments.

I've had Long Covid for almost 2 years but was still able to work on a reduced timetable until this July when I had a severe relapse. I was made redundant from my teaching job shortly after this and had several job offers but I haven't been well enough to go back to work since.

I'm claiming UC (not eligible for new style ESA), I'm waiting for Capability for Work and PIP assessments, and currently getting 2-monthly 'fit' notes from my GP. My current 'fit' note takes me up to January 2023. I'm still getting fortnightly appointment requests from the Jobcentre and have to notify them each time that I'm not able to attend as I'm still not well enough to work. They usually accept this but today I got this response:

Hi Louise,
Thank you for your message. Part of our job is not just to help people back into work but to support you with other barriers too. Whether on a health journey or dealing with other barriers we still need to have appointments to make sure you are ok and keep information and updates flowing between us. The appointments are part of the agreement set out within your commitments in order to receive Universal Credit. Are you able to come into the job centre for an appointment in the next couple of weeks?
Kind Regards, Sarah.

I don't know how to respond to this. My worst relapse coincided with my last visit to the Jobcentre in July and I don't know how I'm going to feel from one day to the next. Do I still have to go to their meetings when I'm clearly not fit for work? Can/should I do this by phone? Will they sanction me if I don't? I'm the single parent of a young person who also has long covid and the only money we have to live on right now is UC .

Thank you!

Hi Louise,
I have CFS/ME plus severe anxiety and my previous Jobcentre accepted my fit notes and I only had telephone appointments from time to time. It was while I was waiting for the assessment. Before I got one, I moved and my Jobcentre changed, so I had to apply again from the beginning, but this time it was totally different from my previous experience. This Jobcentre did not care about my fit notes and I was still required to attend all of my meetings. They said I could not have telephone appointments because they needed to see people, probably needed to bring their numbers up. It was horrible for me, I can imagine that you understand, as I also never knew how I would feel.

Every visit resulted in worsening of my symptoms and shortly after I recovered I had to go in again. They also required me to sign my commitments, and when I told my work coach that even though it was not much, I still did not think I could make it, she looked at me like I was overreacting. They told me the same bs that they were there to help me get better, but I don't really know how if my therapist and doctors struggle to do that.
Anyway, I wondered how it was, that I had fit notes but still had to go there. Unfortunately after checking every possible source it turns out that this is how it works - fit notes only mean you can't work, but they still require you to stick to your commitments. They say they adjust commitments to your health condition, but they don't have enough knowledge or will to actually do it properly. I even read some articles they do it on purpose to make people leave. horrible stuff.

Like Gary said, what you can do is to try talking to your work coach and explain to them why it is difficult for you to go there, what happened in July etc. Propose telephone appointments, but it will all be up to your work coach and their supervisors, and they do not have to agree.
I know how difficult it is to explain how you feel so you can check some information packs on ME association website, I know you have Long Covid but symptoms overlap:

meassociation.org.uk/product/explaining-mecfs-to-other-people/

Any letter from your doctor or therapist, if you are attending any specialist services, will be helpful in this matter.
In my case, it all failed, they did not listen to me, only made me feel worse each time and I had to go in until I got results of my assessment. I got LCW so I would still have to attend job centre regularly now, but thanks to resources from this website I got LCWRA after mandatory reconsideration. Now I actually can get better. If you need any help let me know, I know how hard it is to deal with your health and dealing with UC is very stressful in itself.