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Suitable jobs?

Sioux

I'm on universal credit and it is very true that they constantly press you to apply for any job whether suitable or not. I'm really struggling to deal with the dwp and fear that I will be sanctioned over my inability to accept that I must apply for any and all jobs over minimum wage. Zero hours contracts and rotating shift patterns don't suit me but I can't seem to express myself clearly and these are the jobs they are forcing me to apply for. I need my routine as I get lost in time regularly otherwise. Why can't the dwp accept that some of us can't work chaotic hours? My last job changed from set shifts to a rota and after 9 years there I just couldn't cope anymore. I feel so stressed that I can hardly function at all at the moment, worrying that my benefits will be cut when they are already too low to live off, and stressing about becoming homeless if I can't find suitable work. It's all a bit too much for me right now with the dwp focusing on getting me a job in a supermarket at the moment I could just cry. I can't stand those places, I practically never go shopping unless I really have too. How can they expect me to be able to hold a job down in a setting I can't cope with for short visits, never mind a week's work hours? Grrrr sorry for whinging.

  • in reply to Skel1ingt0n

    Not sure what part of uk you live in but if you've got time google "engage to change" or "elite support employment" they are the same company,might just be based in wales though but when I signed up they found me a paid job in a few weeks. Plus they are an organisation for people with learning disabilities to find work and they give you as much 1-1 help you need 

  • I've also had a hard time on universal credit, your really spot on they are *** and pressure you to apply for any job, one time they made me apply for a job selling cars. Now I don't drive and I don't know a thing about cars and I struggle with talking to people that I don't know. Thankfully I'm off the dole now I work for a wood recycling company, the hours ain't great but the people are nice especially my boss Jeannette, I'm having a hard time with all the heavy lifting and all the loud noises but i wouldn't leave my job (but they will probably give me the sack soon though because I'm always late) Hope youvfind a job you like and enjoy soon xx

  • i was sanctioned last summer and still in the sanction until 2018 for not goin to group sessions and appointments at the work programme, there is some truth to the previous posts that the job centre does not cater to your needs and is basically a sanction centre more than anything, i noted to them for my claimant commitment that i have social anxiety - I didn't say asperger syndrome because most staff there either don't care or don't understand what it is.

    Most of what i said fell on deaf ears, they wanted me to apply to any job in the area, including a recently opened high-end clothing chain, which I have no chance of getting in, regardless of me suggesting I don't want to work in retail.

    My UC claim was stopped because I stopped going to the program and JCP, and because fortunately found employment (casual part-time) through the program I would no longer need to claim benefits. Though I haven't started yet, i remain hopeful I will never have to go to the jobcentre ever again.

  • The problem is the new universal credit benefit which is being rolled out across the board eventually. Unfortunately I'm in one of the trial areas and it was the only benefit they would let me claim. There is no disability advice or service with universal credit, it treats everyone the same whether they can cope with the pressure or not. All other benefits will disappear over time and everyone will be switched to universal credit and it is appalling. People need to start paying attention as this is the one that you will all be transferred to eventually. It's not fit for purpose, you are treated appallingly and no one appears to know what they are doing. 

    Spoiler alert if you've not seen I Daniel Blake don't read the next bit .....

    I'd say his character was lucky, he got out of it by dying because believe you me, living with universal credit is absolute misery for claimants with any physical or mental health problems as they do NOT consider these at all.

  • Get the disability team to help you. Are you on JSA or ESA maybe see if you can get ESA in the work related group if you don't qualify for support group. THe other option is to somehow try and mess up any intervies you get.  

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Good advice from Geoark if you can get the disability team to help you.

    A lot of people on the forum won't have managed to hold down a job for 9 years so I think you should recognise what you can do and focus on that rather than concentrating on what you can't do.

  • If you have a diagnosis ask if they have a disability team you can be transferred to. They tend to be far more realistic in expectations than some of the other advisors around.

    I used to get iritated with them and their instructions. Short answer is you need to at least try to do what they ask so you are not sanctioned. I got to the stage where I was regularly applying for 50 odd jobs a week I never wanted or would not be able to do. If I got to the interview stage I would be honest and when asked why I applied I would tell them because I was instructed to.

    In the end I could easily apply for between 10 and 20 an hour then spend longer on jobs I actually wanted. Even then they were not happy and would complain about something.

    When I transferred to the disability team I at least stopped wasting my team and was able to spend more time actually trying to get a job, which I eventually did.

  • Sorry it's been triple posted, don't know how I managed that. Can someone delete the other two posts I made please?