Diary of a benefit claimant.

To be fair, I haven't been pushed to satisfy any work based things since the first couple of appointments tried to sway things that way.

But you can have more than one email address.

I don't want to seem to be intruding, but on the basis of what you have written I can suggest two things for you to consider if you like. You are not obliged to do them, but maybe even writing in your online journal about considering them or trying them might satisfy he requirement and avoid being given some target that you might not like.

The online journal is a method used to communicate with your job coach, and more importantly you log any jobs you have searched, found, sent your cv to etc.
Your coach can set targets for you and put them in the journal, and you need to prove that you are actively seeking work.

On a personal level I really dislike the whole ethos, since you have to grant permission for the coach to access your email.

Why are you having a 'job coach'?

Are they expecting you to try to find something that you can do within the constraints of your situation?

Oh excellent. When you didn't reply I thought that the phone call might be happening.

When I was out of work years ago it was before the present system. What is the online journal? Do you have to add something to it regularly or something?

Don't say if you would rather not, but why are you going to contact the council?

Is there any information that you need finding on the web?

I am relieved, just really worn out with it all.
It's all consuming, and I havent the energy really.
Onwards Nd upwards, though.

Oh good. Progress. You must be relieved.

Phone call done.
Profuse apologies from the man, and he is now taking over as my job coach.
A bit of hoo ha about my online journal, but hopefully that can be ironed out.
He was very pleasant - he looked up and seems to think child benefit has been stopped (which it shouldn't have done)
So, that is on my "to do" list, along with contacting the council.

Good luck, MissA, what a way to run a railway!

We’re supposed to be supporting MissA not worrying her.

The problem with a lot of officials, including local government, is that they write a report and other staff accept it as accurate without checking whether it is true and without the member of the public knowing what has been written about them or what is purported that they said or omiting that the person refuted some claim.

It is not as if you can do anything else until they ring in case you miss answering promptly.

Yes, best not to have a go at them, they hold the cards.

Thank you.
Ordinarily I would be on the phone, complaining, but I'm wary about setting myself up as "one of those" customers.

I suppose if people chat with you while you wait, then if no reply arrives we will know that the call has started so you can't reply yet.

I'm rooting for you.

I think those days are long gone.
Presumably they stagger what time they go.

1 pm seems a peculiar time for them to arrange a telephone call to start, 1 pm to 2 pm is often lunchtime.

Tum ti tum..
La... la... la...
Still waiting.

I'm not sure stardreamer.
It seems it has been different people each time so far.

With a phone appointment, I would be perfectly happy to be told it would be within a 2, 3, 4 hour time frame.
As it is, I'm stuck in my bedroom, waiting, and dare not move because my phone reception is very patchy elsewhere in the flat, and it loses charge ridiculously fast.

Is the call due to be from the same person as before?

Yes I know…

They sanction claimants who are late.
6 weeks with no money.

Perhaps there’s a good reason they’ve been held up. Maybe taking their time with each person.