Sanctions

seven-day-weekend

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I gave you an example in an earlier post of someone being sanctioned for not attending a work focused interview due to being sectioned in hospital. It was IMPOSSIBLE to attend yet the sanction remained.

Did the Jobcentre know they were in hospital?

~Chameleon~

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Did the Jobcentre know they were in hospital?

Not at the time, nobody knew to inform them. But having since been told and shown proof, they refuse to lift the sanction.

seven-day-weekend

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Not at the time, nobody knew to inform them. But having since been told and shown proof, they refuse to lift the sanction.

That seems harsh, but someone should have let them know. (not saying I agree with not lifting the sanction, however).

~Chameleon~

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

That seems harsh, but someone should have let them know. (not saying I agree with not lifting the sanction, however).

The only person that knew about the appointment was the person in hospital so I'm sure you can appreciate that if they were so ill as to be sectioned then they certainly weren't capable of calling the job centre to let them know!

I don't think they even knew what planet they were on for the best part of two weeks, let alone could remember their appointment schedule!

exarmydreamer

Message to GEM

If you can get higher rate DLA for your son, then you will see an increase in Child Tax Credit. Remember to fill the forms in accurately and ask the school for evidence of his additional needs. Contact the National Autistic Society for advice in filling in the DLA forms or CAB. https://www.autism.org.uk.

Try to keep a diary of all the extra care your son receives, everything from being watched because he can hurt himself, wash, how long he takes to get dressed, how often you have to return him to bed or settle him down, tantrums and melt downs etc.

I'm just about to start home schooling my youngest boy as they wont put him in special school because of the cost of Statementing. Go for the careers allowance once you have the result from the DLA and try to speak to the Autistic Society for some extra help, they can help with benefits/form filling.

You may be able to get some help through the Independant living scheme, where a helper can be paid to take him out to the park for example to give you a break. Also your Social Services should have a Disability team, where he should be registered for support for his disabilities. The disability team has nothing to do with child protection or children in need dept. My son's are registered and I get advice and help with school transitions, play schemes and school holiday help.

I feel for you, I know how hard it is. I used to be in the army and luckily have my pension and my husband works very hard in a well paid job but the stress is overwhelming. Do you have anyone to support you?. I hope things become easy for you and your son is entitled to his benefits for his disabilities. It is amazing how many parents of children with disabilities are not given all the support and benefit information they need. I can also no longer work due to always being over at the school (3 different schools to be precise) and some folk don't understand the constant fear of being called to collect your son.:(

seven-day-weekend

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

The only person that knew about the appointment was the person in hospital so I'm sure you can appreciate that if they were so ill as to be sectioned then they certainly weren't capable of calling the job centre to let them know!

I don't think they even knew what planet they were on for the best part of two weeks, let alone could remember their appointment schedule!

Oh yes, I understand that, several people I know have been sectioned in the past and my husband has suffered from severe mental health problems.

It does seem harsh not to remove the sanction under the circumstances.

~Chameleon~

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Oh yes, I understand that, several people I know have been sectioned in the past and my husband has suffered from severe mental health problems.

It does seem harsh not to remove the sanction under the circumstances.

I quite agree! It's my opinion they should be in the Support Group rather than WRAG, but that's a whole other story!

Dunroamin

*gem* wrote: »

I too have been forced to apply for jobs that are totally unsuitable for me. For example at a petrol station forcourt that is open 24hrs, a care assistant doing night shifts and shop work that includes late nights or weekends but I have no childcare for those times. I haven't been sanctioned for it but threatened with a sanction if I didn't apply.

Haven't you specified that you can only work during school hours?

exarmydreamer

Dunroamin wrote: »

Haven't you specified that you can only work during school hours?

They no longer give you that option at the job centre. They will find some jobs for you to apply for, if you don't apply they will sanction you.

It doesn't matter if the only hours that are suitable are during school, the job centre are not interested, she will be sanctioned if she does not apply or attend interview even if it is 10 miles away and she has no money for travel.

Have you been to a job centre recently?, I have an aunt who is an adviser in one.

iammumtoone

exarmydreamer wrote: »

They no longer give you that option at the job centre. They will find some jobs for you to apply for, if you don't apply they will sanction you.

It doesn't matter if the only hours that are suitable are during school, the job centre are not interested, she will be sanctioned if she does not apply or attend interview even if it is 10 miles away and she has no money for travel.

Have you been to a job centre recently?, I have an aunt who is an adviser in one.

That is not the case if you are a lone parent with a child under 7. There are special rules that apply, you are allowed to only look for work within school hours, but are expected to work during school holidays. Also you are given longer to start work after you are offered a job, as you will have to put childcare arrangements in place. I am on this scheme and can tell you there are virtually no jobs within school hours! so I am having looking for work outside these hours although I do not have to accept these jobs, its just that I want to work so need to accept different hours. Its is still difficult as i am restricted to working hours when the nursery is open (not weekends or evenings)