Forced to work even with sick note

Mummyto2

So basically my hsuabnd got turned down for pip but is fighting it and appealing so in the mean time we have to apply for universal credit we went to job centre and handed the work coach a sick note from gp stating he was unfit for work for 3 months the job centre have said he still has to look for work
My husband suffers with mental health and since this interview with job centre his mental health has gone down hes Been referred back to me at health team and also to a pycartist 
We was nearly sectioned due to sucicial thoughts. 
How do they have the write to say he has to work when the gp has given them a sick note 
The also said if he dosent come to next appoipment he will be sanctioned of his benefits but he won't leave the house due to his depression because of the stress of this 
Any advice or people been through this? 

Firefly123

Hi I've been going through similar with my son he got sanctioned until he was finally getting £2.50 a week then kicked off it. We still have to attend the work coach sessions and I listen to him going on about work and I'm like wouldn't that be lovely his mental health is also getting worse due to all the stress. I don't have any answers but your most definitely not alone 

mikehughescq

Was he on ESA before claiming UC? If not then they are correct. He’s treated as fit for work until such time as he completes a UC50 form and has an assessment. Incidentally PIP would have made no difference to that.

[Deleted User]

Hi @mikehughescq, @Mummyto2, @Firefly123

Jobcentre work coaches do have a great deal of discretion. I think that many people with no experience of this would be shocked to learn that they can even ask people who have a fit note from a GP indicating that they are not fit for work to undertake work related activity.  To me, that really goes against the grain because the work coaches have no medical training at all.

Gill_Scope