Universal Credit 35 hour job search and 'back to work' plus behaviour of Coach

Casey1908

Hi there

I might have to sign on to UC because I am out of work the first time since beginning of 2015.  I wondered if some people who are actually claiming it presently can tell me how it looks in practice.  Eg, how badly are you treated, how many people have already been forced into jobs they do not want at all and also re sanctions et.  I am applying like mad right now, as I have only been out of work for one week, but I can see already it is super frustrating, everything online, a lot of the jobs do not exist, you go through stupid test etc, just to never hear back...I am willing right now to do anything part time, so I do not have to go on that dreaded UC, until I find something suitable in my field, but even this seems not to be too easy.  I would very much appreciate if some people could tell me exactly how it is without scare mongering or playing it down, I am simply really scared that they could make my life hell, I remember when I was unemployed last many years ago, it was bad enough with JSA and going every two weeks to the JC, but it seems that it is now much worse.  Thanks for all honest and helpful replies.  Please I do not need to hear, that for this kind of money I need to do job searches 35 hours a week, I simply think, that this is just a way of tormenting people, rather than helping them. 

calcotti

As you can't backdate it I would suggest you apply anyway. If you don't like it you can cancel the claim later.

MovingForwards

Have a read through your August 2021 thread as nothing has really changed since you last asked.

poppy12345

Casey1908 said:

Please I do not need to hear, that for this kind of money I need to do job searches 35 hours a week,

As advised on your other thread last year, it will depend on your work commiments. If you don't do what's required you could be sanctioned. You either want the money or you don't.

Rubyroobs

I am not claiming Uc but temporarily claiming New style JSA. I have had a number of job offers ( NHS ) but the appallingly slow recruitment process has meant I have been waiting almost 3 months to start. I feel my work coach feels like I'm lying or something. I have accepted job offers for 3 part time NHS jobs but then got offered a full time charity job so thought that would be better and it would be a quicker start but with dbs checks etc it is still taking a few weeks. I have never been asked for evidence of these job offers or to provide evidence of jobs being applied for. I was told to keep job searching even when I had the 3 original part time job offers lined up. I keep saying it is not my fault that checks take so long, I have done everything I can to speed things up. My work coach said last week that I will get one more phone call and if I haven't signed off by then she will call me into the job centre. I feel like just signing off early but the £74 a week comes in handy for some bills.