General Chat

He is freelance,as were we both for many years,and his work has dropped below sixteen hours a week again.

He made his application yesterday on-line and somebody telephoned this morning to make his appointment to sign.

This time they are insisting that I should go unless we can negotiate with the Job Centre.

Please! I don't have to be with the old man, not right beside him, but I need to be here! That is what the state already pays me to do,it saves the having to pay mega to a home.

Sharron I have never heard of them insisting a partner go as well :-0 This must be a new idea?

They have my bank details this time as well.

Presumably as they will pay child care if you have to attend an interview at the job centre, they will arrange and pay a qualified carer for your dad...I would put that to them ;-) they may back off very quickly lol.

Take Fred with you, and get him to 'play up'?

It does seem odd that you have to go if it's only your OH who is claiming JSA.

OH claimed about 4 years ago, and they didn't want to see both of us :-S

I'd do what Rose says, but put the ball in their court.

I'd phone them up explain they've insisted you attend and ask when they can arrange for the carer to turn up for the introduction to your dad (after all, you can't leave him with a total stranger).
Then you will have to insist this same carer be free when you have to go to the Jobcentre.

Of course, if Fred doesn't like the carer they send, they'll have to go through the whole routine again, and possibly again, until they find one Fred likes :-D

He has claimed before and I was supposed to go then but the didn't have to as I remember.

It will cost £30 for a taxi to get Fred up there with us, you couldn't expect him to go on the bus now could you? Not in a wheelchair!

If they know you've got a car, they could insist you bring him in/towed along by that.

*visions of Fred's wheelchair attached to the back of your car* :-S

A few months ago my brother in law did the online application and was then given a joint appointment with my sister :-S
She is older, retired and receiving state pension :-S

About 3 years ago when my husband was between jobs and looking for work, he had to go on the dole (or whatever they call it now) I have a part time job, but they told my husband that the claim had to be done as a joint claim. They made me go and sign on the dole too, even though I had a part time job. For the "privilage" of me signing on, I was told to look for another job with more hours, and in the meantime, my husband's benefit money was reduced by the amount I was earning in my part time job. I was fuming about it. They made me go and sign up, not giving me any extra money, but taking away from me.
Thankfully my husband found another job so we could come off benefits.

I wonder how much they pay these people who make up these Stupid Rules? Perhaps you should ask them to make a Home Visit as you are unable to attend,giving them the reasons why. If they can,t or won,t tell them they must supply a suitable carer to look after Fred (Qualified) and capable of supplying Sausage Sandwiches of a good quality for him.**M**.

Bearing in mind what Jan said, they are probably looking to see if you have a 'spare few hours' for 'gainful employment'. Just ring them and tell them you can't make it.
Stupid b rules.

Vera

I am convnced this country is going mad, if they insist you have to attend explain your positiion and request a home visit.

These 'stupid rules' were made even more stupid by Tony Bliar and Gordon Brown complicating the system over the years they were in power.

My concern is that benefit isn't going to those who really deserve it, but rather to those who have learned how to milk the system.

Those who have worked all their life and find they need some help get next to nothing. Those who have never worked get everything

The sooner this is changed the better.

I am with you IGP on all points.