Very Worried about UC message in my journal.

RHMiller
RHMiller Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
edited September 23 in Universal Credit (UC)

I have long term, severe health conditions and receive lwrca universal credit. I have just received a journal message from a work coach:

‘Would you like to have a chat about how I can help you? We can talk about how I can support you. And we can identify things you can do to help you take the next steps - but only when you’re ready to. This chat is voluntary for you. This chat is voluntary for you.

It will not cause us to reassess your capability for work. The amount of Universal Credit you receive will not change.If you want to know more, please reply to this journal message. I will arrange to contact you at a convenient time.’

I know it says this is voluntary but it sounds like a move to get people unable to work back into work. They would be aware on their records of my progressive health conditions. I replied on my journal to confirm why I am unable to work. Should I be worried? As anyone else received a message like this?
Thank you

Comments

  • RHMiller
    RHMiller Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    Thank you Kimi87, that’s really helpful to know.

  • RHMiller
    RHMiller Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    I did respond, that was probably not a good idea on my part.

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 11,423 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hey there @RHMiller and welcome to the community.

    This is nothing at all to worry about. These Jobcentre staff will provide voluntary help to people on Universal Credit with no requirement to look for work or engage with job help because of their condition.

  • Tumilty
    Tumilty Online Community Member Posts: 465 Empowering

    Hi @Kimi87 and @Albus_Scope im sorry to ask on someone else's thread but it is the same type of issue.

    I too have had work coach posting in UC journal and also many phonecalls that I don't answer from UC. My phone is always on voicemail as I can't answer calls from numbers I don't know. Would it be about the same thing? as I thought they only contacted via journal.

    Please tell me if I need to open a new thread about this.

    Regards

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,118 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Tumilty. I'm not sure what it would be about I'm afraid. Are you sure the phonecalls are from UC?

  • Tumilty
    Tumilty Online Community Member Posts: 465 Empowering

    hi, yes it was from 08000232635. I feel to scared to call them back in fact i can't. Just that @Kimi87 said that she would ignore it in the journal so i'm unsure what to do.. Should i say in journal that i can't or just leave it

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,118 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I'm the same and don't like answering the phone so I understand. If it's regarding the getting back into work scheme then don't worry. It's completely voluntary so you won't be penalised at all and it's ok to ignore it.

  • Tumilty
    Tumilty Online Community Member Posts: 465 Empowering

    ok thanks yes i go into panic when used to ring, i hope that is what it was about the scheme although i assumed that it was all through the journal so i would have gotten something new there. Thanks

  • onlymeagain
    onlymeagain Online Community Member Posts: 250 Empowering

    My son has had a couple in the last few months. We just ignored them.

  • Tumilty
    Tumilty Online Community Member Posts: 465 Empowering

    just worried they may sanction me for not answering the calls or calling back as i can't do calls unless i know the time calling.. regards

  • Sparky3683
    Sparky3683 Online Community Member Posts: 14 Contributor

    If it was mandated, they would do it in an appointment with you, not sure why the worry? It's a generic post in people's journals. Not meant to be blunt, it's how it seems to be done normally.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 8,083 Championing

    Im sure if it was important they would leave a message on your journel

  • Tumilty
    Tumilty Online Community Member Posts: 465 Empowering

    Oh OK, just seems bad to just ignore it but if it's generic then guess its OK, just wonder why the call though.

    They should know I have a disability and not required to look for work though by the form filled in when migrating.?

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,181 Championing

    They don't look at health conditions before sending messages like this. I have had a couple of messages about jobs fairs that I can't even access, and the one about being offered help to work. It is not personal, they just send them out as bulk messages to everyone in their area.

    As for the call, those will also be made by people that haven't checked your history first. Anything important must be sent to all of us via the journal, so I really wouldn't worry about missed calls personally. I can't answer the phone either.

  • Tumilty
    Tumilty Online Community Member Posts: 465 Empowering

    Thanks very much.. Yes the phone is always on voicemail as I think if it's important the person will send a text or show name in call.