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universal credit - what is your experience?

grai
grai Posts: 268 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 31 July 2017 pm31 5:23PM in Benefits & tax credits
Hi everyone

I'm a 60 year old single man and I've just come off sick and claimed for UC and they are saying I need to do 5 hours a day job search but I'm wondering how realistic that is and how literally they take it before you get sanctioned for not doing enough

Have any of you been sanctioned for not doing enough? I've been told my Job Centre (I'm in London) give out sanctions like confettti

how do people prove they are working 5 hours a day job searching? Do you have a set schedule at the computer? The woman said meeting someone for coffee could be counted as job search (??)

any advice as to what the reality is and suggestions and your experiences greatly appreciated xx

Comments

  • Mersey_2
    Mersey_2 Posts: 1,679 Forumite
    Yes, it's an unrealistic item added to most Claimant Commitments - but can be achieved eg by listing 2 hours searching online; 90mins reading industry newspapers; 1 hr emailing agencies; altering CV for specific jobs; drafting covering letters; 2 hrs looking in the local area; 30 mins updating UJM, telephone interviews; registering with new agencies; reading emails; going to the local library or job fair etc.
    Please be polite to OPs and remember this is a site for Claimants and Appellants to seek redress against their bank, ex-boss or retailer. If they wanted morality or the view of the IoD or Bank they'd ask them.
  • grai
    grai Posts: 268 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for reply
    What stops everyone just SAYING they are searching when they aren't?

    How do they prevent it just becoming your word against theirs?

    I'm SO stressed about this
  • For each day you have to list where you have looked, ie internet job boards, newspapers, asking friends and family, and anything else you do.
    When you apply for a job you need to put the job reference number and details of where it is and where you found it so in theory they can chase it up.
    Don't assume they will know you looked in the paper for instance, if you don't write it they will assume you have not done it.
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