Can I refuse claiming job seekers?

somemaysay

I work part time and a single parent. I’ve been on universal credits for a round a year now, when I first went to my initial appointment I said to the lady that I didn’t want to claim job seekers as I was happy with the job I have (it’s less than 16hours) she said not to worry about it and that they’ll be other things available to me. I was then assigned someone new and she told me that I HAD to be on job seekers in order to claim my universal credits, that’s there no where around it and that I will have to find a new job that is 16 hours or more. 
I feel very disheartened because everytime I go for my appointment with her I have anxiety through the roof, she makes me feel like I’m stupid, she sanctioned me for £300 one month because I filled in my journal incorrectly. I apply for jobs that works around the hours I can do (I have 4 children, I’m on my own, I am aware that I can have some child care paid for, but some hours I  physically can’t do like evenings, nights etc..) 
I’ve looked online and according to the universal credit calculator I’m not even entitled to job seekers. I’m so confused. 
If I have a choice whether to claim job seekers without it somewhat effect my universal credit I would chose not to do it because I do work part time. 
I know people who work similar hours to me, being a single parent as well and they don’t have to claim job seekers so i really don’t understand it. 
If anyone has any advice I would gratefully appreciate it. 
Thank you! 

poppy12345

Universal Credit has replaced JSA and now it's all one monthly payment. JSA only exists for certain people. As you're now claiming UC you can't go back onto JSA.

How old is your youngest child?

calcotti

The jobseeking requirement is part of Universal Credit but what you are expected to do should reflect your child care responsibilities.
All requirements are currently suspended for a period of three months.

A_Lert

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-responsibilities

What you have to do depends on your circumstances. Able-bodied single parents of children 3 and over are expected to be in work or looking for work.

tomtom256

A_Lert said:

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-responsibilities

What you have to do depends on your circumstances. Able-bodied single parents of children 3 and over are expected to be in work or looking for work.

Only able-bodied and single parents, wow.

Spoonie_Turtle

Even if you were entitled to new-style JSA (you'd have had to pay enough NI) it would be deducted in full from your UC anyway. The age of your youngest child determines how much work/work search you should be doing (hence poppy asked that question) but as calcotti says, your requirements should be tailored to your individual circumstances too.

Interestingly if your youngest child is aged between 5 and 12 you are expected to spend 25 hours a week working or searching (under normal, non-pandemic circumstances) which appears to be designed to work within normal school hours.

elsien

You said your job is less than 16 hours. How many hours can week do you actually do, as this will have a bearing on what the DWP staff are telling you. 

somemaysay

I know universal credits replaced jsa. What I’m saying is, is there anyway for me to not claim that part of my claim. I understand I may get less money which is fine. 
I already have a job! And have always had a job with raising my family on my own too! 
What I don’t understand is people who are working the same job as me, who are also single parents DONT HAVE to claim it for part of their universal credits like I do so i wondered if I can “opt” out of that part of the claim.

calcotti

somemaysay said: I know universal credits replaced jsa. What I’m saying is, is there anyway for me to not claim that part of my claim. I understand I may get less money which is fine. 

No. UC is one benefit, you can't claim without having the basic allowance and this is the bit that goes rise to the job search conditionality.

somemaysay said: What I don’t understand is people who are working the same job as me, who are also single parents DONT HAVE to claim it for part of their universal credits ..

That isn't correct.

Spoonie_Turtle

No, UC is an all-in-one thing. The only way to 'opt out' is to deliberately not do things and be sanctioned, or close your claim. Neither of which sounds like a good idea!

I would say make full use of this grace period to not worry about any job search, focus on keeping yourself and your family safe and try to make the best of the time you're spending together (whatever 'making the best of it' looks like for you - whether that's enjoying it or simply surviving it with everyone's sanity intact).

Also maybe look into whether you can change your work coach once work search requirements are reimposed because it very much sounds like you have someone unreasonable. If it helps, the maximum hours you can be *required* to do are set in legislation, and if your work coach is trying to make you do more then they are going beyond the law.

NedS

No, you can not opt out of certain parts of UC.

Under normal circumstances and assuming you are fit for work, as a single parent you will be required to either be working or be looking for work for 16h/week if your youngest child is under 5, 25h/week for 5-12, and 35h/week for 13 and older.

However, there is also the AET threshold set at £338/month, so if you are earning £338/month or more, you will move into the light touch regime and will not be asked to attend appointments or look for more work. This equates to around 9h/week at NMW so as long as you are earning this the work search requirements will not apply to your claim.