Employed but on long term sick UC

TG0601

Hello. Is there anyone else who is employed but on long term sickness absence & is now on full UC as SSP has expired? My SSP at work expired 2 months ago so I am on full UC now. Yesterday I received a notification from IC that I would be having a meeting this morning (very short notice to say the least). I received a telephone appointment today from a work coach who said I will need a work capability assessment & 2 weekly appointments with a work coach to see what support I need, like part time work etc. I said that I was confused as I am not unemployed, I’m employed but just on long term sick. I don’t understand why I’m having to have 2 weekly appointments with a work coach. Is this happening to anyone else? 

calcotti

If you do not want to be expected to look for work you need to report your health problems and provide GP Fit Note.

Had you reported your sickness and provided a Fit Notes when you started your UC claim then you would possibly already have had a Work Capability Assessment and would potentially have been receiving more UC. 

TG0601

Yes UC know about my health condition/disability & that I have been on long term sick off work. I have an employment tribunal pending also for disability discrimination. They are also aware I am on PIP (both components). I have never been asked by UC to provide fit notes even though they know I have been on long term sick & on SSP until recently. My fit notes to go my employers. When my SSP ended 2 months ago I messaged UC to see if there was anything I needed to do. They said I didn’t need to go anything & that my UC payments would simply increase. My point is why do I require work coach appointments every 2 weeks when I am already employed? 

calcotti

They should have asked you to provide details of Fit Notes from the time when you reported your health condition. You would then, in most cases, have been referred for a Work Capability Assessment to determine your Capability for Work. If found to have LCW or LCWRA you would not be expected to look for work, some of your earnings would be ignored and  if LCWRA extra  money too (after 4 months).

You will have to ask them why they require these meetings given they know you are ill. If you have never provided Fit Note details that may be the problem.

The fact you are already employed is not relevant. They will be looking to see if you can increase your earnings (because you are not being treated as ill).