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U.c query - told to cease trading due to fit note

Sizzlingdeluxe1975

Hi , newbie so please be patient 😊

Migrated across to u.c , I am self employed but due to ill health my last tax year returns were admittedly poor .

Fell well below the m.i.if , I agreed to look for work as didn't have the funds to argue and dispute the decision that my business was not viable .

Cut a long story short , I've supplied a fit note , been told I have to attend despite this and also to cease trading during the fit note period ?? !!

Would anyone know where I stand as I can find nothing in legislation that requires me to do that

I have a number of conditions including heart problems , migraine , depression and anxiety .

Regards

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WhatThe

😮

Welcome newbie, I'm sure you'll get some good advice here soon enough but really…🙄

Sizzlingdeluxe1975

Thanks for the friendly welcome 😁

Albus_Alumni

Hey there @Sizzlingdeluxe1975 and it's a big warm welcome from me too. 😊

I'm afraid I'm still learning the many ins and outs of universal credit, apologies! We do have some super knowledgeable people here, so I'm hoping by saying hi, it'll bump your post back up to the top of the page so more people can see it.

Sizzlingdeluxe1975

Thanks ! Appreciate the welcome 😁

Azukker

It's possible there's been miscommunication, or they believe that the nature of the fit note wouldn't make sense with the nature of your work.

However I can say that I am self-employed, I do work, and have PIP and LCWRA - I am bedbound, but have my computer setup on a hospital-style overbed table (just a very durable one with keyboard & monitor setups!) so I lie on my side and can use my computer.

Therefore I am disabled, I am on LCWRA, I have no minimum income floor (due to LCWRA), and they have absolutely no problem with me being self-employed or with my earnings (as the nature of my work does not conflict with the nature of my disability - eg, it's not like I'm saying I can't walk, while doing a job running up and down aisled all day long, or something).

This is just personal experience, so perhaps the nature of the fit-note and your work need explaining better - and if your fit-note is for 4+ weeks and you get one for a few months in a row, that should automatically trigger a UC50 form/fitness for work assessment (to see if you could or should be LCW or LCWRA).

I don't know much about the intricacies, so wait for someone (like Poppy!) to post, but I thought I'd share my own experience of a similar position, in case it helps set your mind at ease.

Sizzlingdeluxe1975

Thanks for adding your experiences , I hate to say it but I do believe ( maybe a tad of paranoia ) that I'm being targeted for some reason , I've been in twice and the first guy was very hostile and condescending in my opinion , the second time he was sharing a desk with the work coach .

I'm trying my best . Obviously not good enough !

WhatThe

It's not paranoia and they are hostile. Don't argue with them and don't cease trading seems the best way forward to me!

Attending an appointment is one test because they'd love to sanction you for not attending. They don't usually have much to say and hope you'll do or say something they can use against you. Call me cynical.

Sizzlingdeluxe1975

I can find no guidance to have to stop trading and have no idea where they are coming from in that regard , how is that good for my mental health to shut down what I've worked hard to grow from nothing and then sit and mope ?

Strikes me they see themselves as not only business experts , accountants and also medical professionals

WhatThe

They are trying it on, nothing more. UC is an experiment gone wrong.

Sizzlingdeluxe1975

I have been summoned for the 16th , despite the fit note . I will go . Thanks for the comments

WhatThe

It's the easiest reason to impose a sanction on a claimant.

Take your 'fit note' with you as they may change the coach, pretend to know nothing about you, change the appointment day or time at short notice or just keep you waiting when you get there. There's no privacy and the entire experience feels degrading.