Should I have weekly work advisor meetings if I have a doctor's note?

Claire1964,

Unfortunately as Mary says, there is nothing to stop a work coach insisting on you meeting work-related requirements, like having to attend interviews at the Jobcentre (for the first 14 days of a sick note they can't make you look for a job, but even that may not apply if you've previously failed a work capability assessment). So as my colleague suggests, I would negotiate with your work coach and explain any problems you're having as a result of having to attend, eg how it is affecting your health. You could ask to have telephone interviews instead if that would help - or anything else which you feel you need as an adjustment due to your condition.

Jobcentre Plus, like all services, has to comply with the Equality Act, so you should explain to your work coach if the meetings are causing you problems or are difficult to attend.

Because you're going to have the sick note for more than 28 days, I'd also considering asking for a UC50 to be sent out, but that does depend on whether you think this bad patch is likely to be long-lasting. If you go through the work capability assessment (WCA) then that allows you to be assessed as to whether you should be someone with limited capability for work-related activity (which would mean no conditionality), limited capability for work (work-focused interviews and work preparation would still apply) or whether you are fit for work (when you can still negotiate about what you have to do, but would have to look for work).

Will