Benefits sanctions?

Tacitus · 24 Sep 2015 at 10:13

Hey guys, quick question.

Finally ran out of cash, been job searching since graduating from uni in the summer, and decided to sign on for universal credit yesterday.

I get an email saying I have an appointment tomorrow morning, but I cannot make it due to me being hundreds of miles from home visiting friends.

I phone them to ask if I can rearrange for early next week, answer is no.

What am I supposed to do now? I won't get my first payment for 5 weeks anyway, but will I be sanctioned? If so, how severe are the sanctions for missing one meeting? I have about 20 minutes to decide if I'm going to see friends this weekend or not now...

Thanks guys
Chris

Greebo · 24 Sep 2015 at 10:17

They have any excuse. They once called on me unexpected and stopped mine when they found out I was playing in a local village cricket match. They said I was clearly unavailable for work that day!

I would imagine been 100's of miles away visiting friends would count the same for you too.

If you don't have a job and claiming benefits you aren't allowed to have a life Mon to Fri either. You either have to be at home job searching or at interviews. Nothing else is allowed :rolleyes:

Shampoo · 24 Sep 2015 at 10:18

Income is more important than seeing friends. Go back and get it sorted first.

Tacitus · 24 Sep 2015 at 10:18

Greebo said:
They have any excuse. They once called on me unexpected and stopped mine when they found out I was playing in a local village cricket match. They said I was clearly unavailable for work that day!

I would imagine been 100's of miles away visiting friends would count the same for you too.

If you don't have a job and claiming benefits you aren't allowed to have a life Mon to Fri either. You either have to be at home job searching or at interviews. Nothing else is allowed

It irks me, because besides this afternoon when I'm travelling, I'd be spending all day tomorrow job hunting while my friend is working...

Shampoo said:
Income is more important than seeing friends. Go back and get it sorted first.

It's not life or death, more of an irritation, I need to know if I'll actually be sanctioned and if so, by how much.

Greebo · 24 Sep 2015 at 10:23

just googled it, it would appear to be 7 days as a first offence low level sanction

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/439814/admk5.pdf

beh · 24 Sep 2015 at 10:35

Tacitus said:
Finally ran out of cash, been job searching since graduating from uni in the summer, and decided to sign on for universal credit yesterday.

If you were looking for work why did you not sign on months ago?

Anyway, if you bring evidence of what you've been applying for, interview invites and such, it should hopefully get you off on the right foot.

I have about 20 minutes to decide if I'm going to see friends this weekend or not now...

If your appointment is in morning can you not still see your friends this weekend?

Tacitus said:
I need to know if I'll actually be sanctioned and if so, by how much.

Call them again and ask?

jumpy · 24 Sep 2015 at 10:41

beh said:
If you were looking for work why did you not sign on months ago?

Probably because he didn't 'need' to sign on for financial reasons.

The honest approach of not using benefits if you've got a bit to tide you over is not rewarded - you'll still be treated like scum by JC staff and policy. In fact it is most likely to your detriment because of the lead time to process a new claim and that you will not get any NI stamp whilst you are living off your savings.