Fit note submitted but UC marked as failed to attend

feeky1973

Hello family member submitted a fit note (as unfit for work ) from GP  but UC marked them as failed to attend a worksearch appointment.  We are really confused and dont know how to proceed.    She informed them the day before that she wouldnt be able to  attend the appointment due to ill health and entered the Note details on her journal.  The reply was 'you had an appointment can you give reasons why you were unable to attend'. Then the next entry came 10 mins later, marked as failed to attend appointment. Does this mean they will cut payments?  or that they understand she couldnt attend?  Not sure how to advise her how to respond other than to point out again that she was unwell, signed off and unable to attend because of this.  Or, is someone still expected to attend work appointmentss at job centers even if they have been signed off ?  if so she didnt know this.  PLease help as really confused.  Thank you  

calcotti

Suggest she replies by stating that she advised them the day before that she would be unable to attend due to poor health and have provided details of a relevant Fit Note. 
The message she has received may have been generated without anybody having read the message from the day before.

feeky1973

Will suggest that, thnaks.  Are people still expected to attend work reviews etc if they are advised and documented as unfit for work by a GP? 

janer1967

Unfortunately yes 

Work coach can switch off the meetings or conduct by phone instead

Until claimant has been referred for a work capability assessment and found unfit for work they have to provide continuous fit notes and remain in contact with a work coach 

feeky1973

@janer1967 so a fit note from GP lasting until October, still means that she has to attend appointments work review appointments? Sorry t's really confusing

poppy123456

Yes if thats what the claimant commitments states. As advised, a fit note doesn’t exclude from those appointments. Some work coaches will turn off commitments, others will expect some which can include either job centre in person appointments or telephone appointments.

feeky1973

ah I'm starting to understand. How do we find out more about this? The work coach hasn't explained this in any of the journal entries. Or hasn't responded to any of her previous questions.   Anyone experienced this kind of situation or able to suggest how to approach this?
Also where are the claimant commitments? Sorry to sound daft, just have no idea about this.  Wish the work coach had mentioned/pointed this out before. She's really worried her payments will stop because of the 'failed to attend'. Really hope they understand her lack of understanding about the procedure and her mental health/anxiety issues.  She really thought she was doing the right thing and didnt realise she still had to attend.  

Tori_Scope

I believe that you should be able to find your claimant commitment on your online account @feeky1973. 

You can view your latest Claimant Commitment online. You will also be able to update your progress on your goals using that account.

Universal Credit and your claimant commitment (gov.uk)