Rules when visiting the Job Centre

SMC_2

I have health issues and have had to claim benefits as a result. Anytime I have had to go to the Job Centre I have taken someone with me and it has been no problem.

A relative of mine has had to start claiming JSA as they are out of work and they went along for first appointment earlier in the week and had to go back today. Today they took someone with them and they were told that for today they'd let the other person be with them but in future they were to come on their own.

Is this a rule just for JSA claimaints or does it apply to all claimaints no matter what benefit they are claiming?

Thanks in advance!

dmg24

It is recognised that those claiming ESA/ IB may need somebody to support them. However if you are fit for work there is really no need to have someone accompany you to the JCP. There is no overall rule that a person cannot be accompanied, but equally an advisor can stipulate that they will only see the claimant.

Arg

If there wasn't any rule against it then it shouldn't matter what the advisor thinks.

tcr_3

There are rules about this. The Job Centre isn't a social venue. The bottom line is that people won't be allowed to bring their mates in with them because the offices are crowded enough already, without hangers on talking, chatting on mobile phones, placating screaming kids etc etc.

Exception being those who need someone to support them due to ill health, as DMG24 says.

SMC_2

dmg24 wrote: »

It is recognised that those claiming ESA/ IB may need somebody to support them. However if you are fit for work there is really no need to have someone accompany you to the JCP. There is no overall rule that a person cannot be accompanied, but equally an advisor can stipulate that they will only see the claimant.

I thought that would be the case but wanted to see what others thought.

tcr wrote: »

There are rules about this. The Job Centre isn't a social venue. The bottom line is that people won't be allowed to bring their mates in with them because the offices are crowded enough already, without hangers on talking, chatting on mobile phones, placating screaming kids etc etc.

Exception being those who need someone to support them due to ill health, as DMG24 says.

It wasn't a case of taking a mate, it was a relative who was with them.

cit_k

tcr wrote: »

There are rules about this. The Job Centre isn't a social venue. The bottom line is that people won't be allowed to bring their mates in with them because the offices are crowded enough already, without hangers on talking, chatting on mobile phones, placating screaming kids etc etc.

Exception being those who need someone to support them due to ill health, as DMG24 says.

What about in reverse, i.e someone is called for an interview, and that person normally looks after their partner?

Can the partner stay in the jobcenter whilst the person is interviewed, ie its not the person being interviewed that has a health problem, its the person they came with?