Back to work interview?

mummyathome

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone can help me or has had the same. I have been sent a letter telling me I have a back to work interview next week.

However my partner claims income support for the pair of us, he is a full time carer, and I am a stay at home mummy, I have two young children, one aged 1 (soon to be 2), and another almost 4.

As far as I was aware I am allowed to be a stay at home mum until they both reach school age? Not that I want that long, but I'm not ready to leave my 1 year old in child care.

Is there anyone that can clarify?

Thank you

mummyathome

Even Income support did not really understand it.

sammyjammy

As your child is over one and you are not classed as the carer then you will be invited to attend Work focused interviews to hlep you prepare for work.

mummyathome

Thanks for that information, so I am assuming that I do not have to return right now. I phoned CAB and they said when the kids are 4 they think.

Elzmumof3

My husband and I are separated and the kids are with him currently so he claims IS - he still has to attend the work focused interviews even though the youngest isnt 5 till October.

Horseunderwater

If your OH is a full time carer - who is it for?
What they have sent you an appointment for is a work focused interview and they cannot force you to take up employment, they are just updating their records for the most part. You have 2 children under 5 and that is the crucial age for Income support and a parent having to work. Also if he is the carer for one of your children as they are disabled then the rules are different again. So for anyone to advise better - info needed on exact circumstances on who he cares for.

mummyathome

I see. It must be just to keep you focused on returning to work. Is 5 the age where you must start seeking work then?

mummyathome

He cares for a family member of his who does not live with us. The person he cares for get DLA

Horseunderwater

Yes 5 is the age where the parent is supposed to be seeking work, but they cannot force you as the partner claimant named on his IS to go and work. This will be a purely updating circumstances interview. You would I am afraid lose things like free prescriptions - housing benefit to some extent and full child tax credits and local council tax support. So all you need to do is tell them the full nature of your lives and that should be all that is needed. My OH and I are about to have the exact same thing - but for ESA IR.

mummyathome

Okay. Well by the time there 5 I will be well back in to work, so I really shouldn't worry, if for now they can not touch our benefits. I do appreciate the advice given. Thank You

busy_mom_2

This is where things will start to change with universal credit, as you are both capable of doing some work you will both have to attend interviews and look for some work. It is not just carers but people who claim any benefits will have to attend interviews, lone parents, jobseekers and those claiming sickness benefit. If people are claiming WTC they will still need to attend.