Work focused interview

lh8609 · January 2023

Hi everyone. Just looking for some advice really, my situation is I have 3 children aged 1, 9 and 13 and my husband has 2 school aged children who visit every weekend. My husband is a cancer patient and has been receiving treatment since my son who is now 13 months was 8 days old.
I am working an average of 7.5-12 hours a week depending on what over time is available and how my husband is feeling, if he feels able to look after the children, if he has any appointments or is scheduled for treatment etc (which often leaves him bedbound for at least a week)
I’ve been called in for a work focused interview, ironically on a day I’m actually working so I’m waiting for a response to my journal message requesting a different date.

what should I expect? Is it as bad as it sounds or am I panicking for nothing?

TIA

Louisa x

calcotti · January 2023

You'll have to see what happens. It's impossible to predict what will be discussed. The purpose of the interview is supposed to be to help prepare you for work as your children get older. There is nothing sinister about this (even if somewhat daft in your circumstances).

Does your husband claim any disability benefits such as PIP? Is he getting the LCWRA element of UC?

lh8609 · January 2023

Thanks for your reply. He’s not claiming PIP no but he has been granted LCWRA.

lh8609 · January 2023

Thankyou I’ll keep you posted. They have finally replied asking when I’m not working and they MAY be able to change my appointment 🙄 so they’d rather me lose wages to attend? Makes sense right lol

calcotti · January 2023

Your husband may want to look at whether or not he may be eligible for PIP.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/
It's based on how he is on the majority of days over a 12 month period.

lh8609 · January 2023

Thanks both, I don’t think he’s quite unwell enough to qualify just yet however if his next appointment doesn’t go well then a major life changing op will be on the cards and that changes everything so we will see x

calcotti · January 2023

lh8609 said:

Thanks both, I don’t think he’s quite unwell enough to qualify just yet however if his next appointment doesn’t go well then a major life changing op will be on the cards and that changes everything so we will see x

Because it's assessed over 12 month period surgery doesn't necessarily result in Pip entitlement because post operative recovery in many situations is measured in months. However i note you say life changing and I appreciate that some surgeries do indeed have long term consequences. (I am not asking for details, I hope that whatever the medical advice it is positive given the context.)

lh8609 · January 2023

Thanks let’s hope it doesn’t come to that! All being well we hope he will recover and be able to return to work himself in some capacity this year 🤞🏼 hope I get a sympathetic work coach when I go to the job centre lol.

lh8609 · January 2023

Well they eventually agreed to change my interview date to a day I’m not working, a week tomorrow. Very very rude work coach very dismissive of my circumstances and the fact I’m really trying to work as much as I can (I’m already booked in for overtime the day before my appointment and the evening of the day after) so we shall see what happens. Hopefully it will all be fine

L_Volunteer · January 2023

It sounds positive that they eventually agreed to change your interview date to a day you are not working @lh8609.

Wishing you the best of luck with your interview. How are you feeling about it at the moment?

It sounds really difficult that you had a very rude work coach who was very dismissive of your circumstances and the fact you are really trying to work as much as you can.

I can imagine this is particularly difficult given that you were hoping for a sympathetic job coach. Instead, only you are recognising all your effort.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to support you with any of this. It sounds like a really difficult time for you at the moment.

We are here with you, listening to you, and here to support you (and sympathise with you!)

lh8609 · January 2023

Thankyou I’m feeling quite anxious I’m sure it’s all routine but I just feel like they’re going to give me a hard time and things really are hard enough at the moment!!

L_Volunteer · February 2023

I hear you @lh8609 - things are hard enough at the moment and things like this just add to that. It sounds like this is meaning you are feeling quite anxious

Would anything, in particular, help to reduce your anxiety at the moment? We are all here for you and listening to you if there's anything we can do to support you

lh8609 · February 2023

Thankyou, I’m sure it will all be ok and I’m worrying for nothing. I will update tomorrow and let you know how it goes!

lh8609 · February 2023

Hi all! Pleased to say it all went well I was there all of 5 minutes. The appointment was indeed triggered due to my baby turning one and I’ve got another in 6 months time but he says as of now I’m doing more than enough and they can’t ask any more of me or my husband at this time. He was actually really nice but I’m glad it’s all over and done with. If anyone else finds themselves in this situation he literally just asked me how many hours I’m working, what shifts, and who looks after the kids then he asked about my husbands circumstances currently and that was about it.

Thanks for the advice/support! I can breathe again now 🙂

Louisa

Lou67 · February 2023

@lh8609
Good morning.

Im so glad your appointment went well for you, it’s the unknown off these appointments that is so hard to deal with, but so glad it’s over with for you.
I want to wish you well and hope things get better with your husband.

Stay strong and take care ❤️

lh8609 · February 2023

Thankyou so much x

durhamjaide2001 · February 2023

I'm so pleased your appointment went well today.

Work focused interview

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