Advice

Zahapalace

Hi all

I spoke with a work coach about reducing my hours at work from 39 hours a week to 16 hours a week due mental health problems brought on by the fact me and my wife are raising a disabled child. Although my wife is claiming carers allowance its sooo hard on us both rasing her with me working full time. My work coach said she couldn't see a problem with it and assured me I would not be sanctioned but I still read stories that people are being sanctioned for similar things. Would this be a good reason to reduce my hours and as the work coach said it will be fine could they go back on what they say and sanction me anyway? I also phoned the helpline before I saw the work coach and he said he cannot see a problem with it but I am still worried about doing it because of all the stories you read. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

calcotti

Can you get the work coach to confirm in writing/on your journal. If they do it on your journal take a screen shot just in case anything gets lost later.

Zahapalace

Thanks for the reply. I will ask her to do that. I know how sneaky they can be or at least I have read how sneaky they can be. I spoke to citizens advice and they said its a very good reason to reduce your hours and not to worry about the work coach going back on her word.

xylophone

Would cutting down your hours permit your wife to work on a part time basis - this could help financially and enable her to be free of caring responsibilities for some small part of the week?

I have a severely mentally disabled cousin ( now in a home) and I know that caring for him was physically and emotionally draining for his parents.

Zahapalace

I am sorry to hear about you cousin. I know how the parents feel. It's the most stressful thing in the world to watch your child grow up knowing that they are different from other kids and watching them struggle day in day out. You get the people that say the classic line of "just get on with it" even though they have no idea how physically and emotionally draining it is. She could look for part time work as well, I just don't want them to go back on what they say after I have reduced my hours.

calcotti

xylophone wrote: »

Would cutting down your hours permit your wife to work on a part time basis - this could help financially and enable her to be free of caring responsibilities for some small part of the week?

If this idea appeals just be sure she does not earn more than £120/week otherwise entitlement to Carer’s Allowance will be lost.