Job Centre keep forcing me to go in

Jack_bauer24

Hi, I need advice. 

In March of this year, I dislocated my knee cap for the first time ever, but I haven't fully recovered, struggling to walk a bit, but the swelling on my knee cap is going down slowly. I have got my next appointment with Job Centre on 19 September, do you think this can be changed to a telephone appointment? 

Last time I had appointment was last month by phone, but the adviser said that if I can attend physio appointments at Hospital every fortnight, I can get down to Job Centre. These physio appointments are important to get my leg stronger and recover fast. 

Also, I must add that I am on LCW at the moment, I have been on this for nearly 2 years. 

Any advice would be great. but all I am asking is that can I be forced into going into Job Centre? when I am struggling to walk at the moment, thank you in advance. 

Dakta

I would speak to your physio or gp about it, recovery from these injuries purely as a guideline is what six to eight weeks, yiu say you are mobile (struggling to walk a bit) and your next appointment is about six weeks away as well as you are able to attend appointments elsewhere albeit connected to your injuries. 

I dont know if they can force you in or not but its probably one to raise with your health professionals as they may be able to point you or at least add wright to your argument if appropriate 

Own_Worst_Enermy

the job centre or physio will not less care for you for you then the day you are discharged.
Sat in Ipswich hospital and told no one cares about you more then you are discharged by a long standing patient. As much as Martin Lewis and his disciples believe physio are there, they ate only there because you bother. 
 

Charles_Foxtrot

I don't think they can force you. Have you tried calling them and explaining you need to stay off it as much as possible in order to heal? I mean everything was done on phone/video for two years because of that virus that shall not be named.

TELLIT01

You can't be forced to attend the JC but you may be liable to sanctions if you fail to do so.  It is still 7 weeks until the appointment so I certainly don't see them agreeing at this time for you to have a telephone appointment.  I've had surgery on both my knees and was able to walk, albeit with some discomfort, by wearing a knee brace.  What do the physio's say about your recovery?

Undervalued

TELLIT01 said:

You can't be forced to attend the JC but you may be liable to sanctions if you fail to do so.  It is still 7 weeks until the appointment so I certainly don't see them agreeing at this time for you to have a telephone appointment.  I've had surgery on both my knees and was able to walk, albeit with some discomfort, by wearing a knee brace.  What do the physio's say about your recovery?

Indeed.

If, much nearer the time your doctor is willing to certify that attending the appointment would be bad for your recovery then the job centre should accept that. Without, then I think it is likely they will impose a sanction if you fail to attend.

Suzycoll

Jack_bauer24 said:

Hi, I need advice. 

In March of this year, I dislocated my knee cap for the first time ever, but I haven't fully recovered, struggling to walk a bit, but the swelling on my knee cap is going down slowly. I have got my next appointment with Job Centre on 19 September, do you think this can be changed to a telephone appointment? 

Last time I had appointment was last month by phone, but the adviser said that if I can attend physio appointments at Hospital every fortnight, I can get down to Job Centre. These physio appointments are important to get my leg stronger and recover fast. 

Also, I must add that I am on LCW at the moment, I have been on this for nearly 2 years. 

Any advice would be great. but all I am asking is that can I be forced into going into Job Centre? when I am struggling to walk at the moment, thank you in advance. 

you cant be 'forced ' to attend the job centre. However, if you don't attend a pre arranged meeting they may sanction yo and make a cut to your benefits. Playing devils advocate the advisor is not wrong in what they say. If you can make the physio appts why cant you attend a one off JC meting ? Best thing is just to attend really - if its only once in a while?  In extreme circumstance's the JC may be able to pay for a taxi, may be worth  asking ?

Jack_bauer24

Suzycoll said:

Jack_bauer24 said:

Hi, I need advice. 

In March of this year, I dislocated my knee cap for the first time ever, but I haven't fully recovered, struggling to walk a bit, but the swelling on my knee cap is going down slowly. I have got my next appointment with Job Centre on 19 September, do you think this can be changed to a telephone appointment? 

Last time I had appointment was last month by phone, but the adviser said that if I can attend physio appointments at Hospital every fortnight, I can get down to Job Centre. These physio appointments are important to get my leg stronger and recover fast. 

Also, I must add that I am on LCW at the moment, I have been on this for nearly 2 years. 

Any advice would be great. but all I am asking is that can I be forced into going into Job Centre? when I am struggling to walk at the moment, thank you in advance. 

you cant be 'forced ' to attend the job centre. However, if you don't attend a pre arranged meeting they may sanction yo and make a cut to your benefits. Playing devils advocate the advisor is not wrong in what they say. If you can make the physio appts why cant you attend a one off JC meting ? Best thing is just to attend really - if its only once in a while?  In extreme circumstance's the JC may be able to pay for a taxi, may be worth  asking ?

I forgot to state, just because I can get to the hospital, it doesn't mean I can walk. I struggle getting to the hospital as I always keep limping all the time, I am also using 1 crutch. 

Also, I have been putting Ice on my swollen knee cap in the last few days, the swelling is starting to go down now. 

Undervalued

Jack_bauer24 said:

Suzycoll said:

Jack_bauer24 said:

Hi, I need advice. 

In March of this year, I dislocated my knee cap for the first time ever, but I haven't fully recovered, struggling to walk a bit, but the swelling on my knee cap is going down slowly. I have got my next appointment with Job Centre on 19 September, do you think this can be changed to a telephone appointment? 

Last time I had appointment was last month by phone, but the adviser said that if I can attend physio appointments at Hospital every fortnight, I can get down to Job Centre. These physio appointments are important to get my leg stronger and recover fast. 

Also, I must add that I am on LCW at the moment, I have been on this for nearly 2 years. 

Any advice would be great. but all I am asking is that can I be forced into going into Job Centre? when I am struggling to walk at the moment, thank you in advance. 

you cant be 'forced ' to attend the job centre. However, if you don't attend a pre arranged meeting they may sanction yo and make a cut to your benefits. Playing devils advocate the advisor is not wrong in what they say. If you can make the physio appts why cant you attend a one off JC meting ? Best thing is just to attend really - if its only once in a while?  In extreme circumstance's the JC may be able to pay for a taxi, may be worth  asking ?

I forgot to state, just because I can get to the hospital, it doesn't mean I can walk. I struggle getting to the hospital as I always keep limping all the time, I am also using 1 crutch. 

Also, I have been putting Ice on my swollen knee cap in the last few days, the swelling is starting to go down now. 

Then, as I suggested earlier, I think you need to get your doctor to confirm in writing that you are not fit enough to attend the job centre appointments at the moment.

Jack_bauer24

Update: I have got some good news. On Monday, I put in a complaint against my Job Centre work coach as he wasn't meeting my needs by making a phone call appointment, as I haven't fully recovered from my dislocation knee cap. Anyway, I just had a phone call from DWP manager who is the manager of my work coach this afternoon, we had a nice chat and she accepted to make a phone call on this occasion, so it gives me time to fully recover before I get face to face appointments going forward from December as I have appointments every 3 months.

So now, I have 4 full months to rest. This has made my day... I am happy with the outcome of my complaint... I wasn't backing down as I need a phone appointment for now.