Universal Credit..anyone? know anything about it? seems that is what I have to go on.

Could you be eligible for ESA?

All the best.

Good luck!

Good luck for tomorrow, biker.

Jobseekers interview had been put back an hour next Tuesday...then got another phone call they had had a cancellation and could I possibly go tomorrow" ! at 10-10.. so lets see .

Farnorth no not done anything much the last 12 mnths to be honest, but I'm sure something will crop up thanks .

bikergran do you do any voluntary work? That can be a good way to get used to working and can also help you to get paid work by giving experience and showing that you are reliable and capable.

Redundancy is the loss of a job/vocation...... one gets over this as I have (twice). Widowhood however, is an entirely different matter and I for one am not ready to rejoin society after 8 months now, and cannot see that I will be anytime soon. Being forced to seek employment only adds to the stress of learning to live without ones partner.

thanks all.. for help and advice

Riverwalk I haven't said I am trying to "avoid" employment,and yes I will look on it as a challenge as to any courses that may be available to me, I will go along with their rules and regulations no problem, and yes only 59. The problem is..I am still grieving, after looking after my dh through many years of illness, one cannot just switch off at a certain point, everyone is different, and only people that have been bereaved will understand that. To be thrown into the lions dens so to speak after caring for so many yrs can be quite scary.

I hope I do manage to find something interesting and certainly won't be joining the scrapheap just to avoid the system, do you really think I want to live the next 7 yrs on £72 a week.

Actually, I've reread and said when you do not get a job.
Treating it as a game means not getting despondent; it's far too easy to be ground down by it.

Did anyone say that?
I said if you do not get a job, which is not the same as avoiding work.

Biker I was made redundant around 11 years ago and found the JobCentre staff very helpful - I could have gone on any number of courses.

I'm surprised that you're being advised to treat things as a game to avoid employment - it's not a game - you need to find employment it seems, so treat it as a challenge.

Many people in their 60s, and older, still work - it's not something that's to be avoided. Why should you not work as you are only 59?

You might find something really interesting, you might not, but don't consign yourself to the scrapheap and restrict your horizons just to fight the system.

You do not get any, Luckygirl. I looked after my husband for 15 years before he died, and even though he had DLA for getting about, he never got any for care, even though he could not go out on his own, walk without help, have a shower on his own. I even had to go to the loo with him in case he fell over, but it wasn't enough. It never quite fitted in with the categories.

And what credit will you get biker for all the care that you gave your OH? The benefits system is inhuman at times, and I do feel for you.

oh my gosh! shocking..

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/heart-attack-victim-benefits-axed-5926152

This isn't at all reassuring, sorry.

durhamjem I have been reading about them having to reach "sanctioning targets"! not sure if this is true but wouldn't surprise me at all, and also read that if they do you should ask for some thing some reason and then really question the reason..or something like that, I read that much my mind is now well and truly boggled

My grandson's mother had to sign on last year when she was between jobs. She swore a lot more than I've ever heard her do, and I had to calm her down quite a lot. There were times when if she'd done what she wanted, she would have been sanctioned.

Stay calm, biker.

My sister used to work in a jobcentre before she joined the post office, so she has been both sides of the desk.
She's the one who said it's a game these days, not like it was when she was there.
Whatever the government says, they have targets to meet. You just have to make sure you are not the one targeted.

posie yes I have just been reading about when you have to put down the hours,, not sure if they would warrant picking n taking GS up from school! I thought it was only an house travel but I think I had been reading a very old post and yes I'm sure it is now 90 mins, wasn't sure if that was each way? if any one knows?

Farnorth yes some hindsight would be advantageous

Jobcentre staff are not always very bright, even if well-meaning, so you need to keep your wits about you and read any info, leaflets etc that look relevant.

Just like me then bikergran.

I must admit I had a bit of a panic attack in Job Centre when they were blithely going through the hours on the computer that they expected me to be available for & casually dropped in the fact that I would be expected to apply for jobs up to 90mins away!

I got upset & they were more sympathetic then & amended it to show shorter hours. Trouble is shorter hours means less money.

They've really got no idea how it feels to suddenly find yourself in these circumstances have they?

All the best for next Tues.

oh I will be around Grace I have no intention of giving in before I have started I think like you say there are some understanding people at the JC and we must not tar the all with the same brush (apart from the one that gave me wrong information)! I am just one of many.
thanks for any info all

I think Jen is right Bikergran you have to feel that you are playing them at their own game. There are lots of good people who work in Job Centres but the system must feel as if it is against them as well as feeling it is against you. Systems don't have feelings, sadly.

I am really sorry for everyone who is having to work so many years longer than they expected. My anger is against all the governments that did not do anything earlier. They knew we would need to extend the working life and could have done it over a much longer period with much more notice for everyone. Many of us slotted into caring roles because we were given to understand that was the best thing to do.

Do keep coming back Biker, with your thoughts so far. We may not be able to advise (although we can research for you) but I am sure you will always find support.

thanks durhamjen yes I have learned via a friend certain things I must NOT! say and certain things I MUST! say...trouble is unless you know all the questions up frontt hen your not sure what to say....

Yes I will eagerly go on any courses and may I will enjoy them depending on what they are..!

a game yes I shall do that, but do they provide a hand book..maybe someone should, I have a had a google and trying o get my wits about me before Tuesday.

Ana whilst on JSA you are entitled to free prescriptions/possibly help with glasses etc.you do get help with C tax.

I am unfortunately now looking at selling my Motorcycle (maybe I will have to change my GN name)

Onwards and upwards, lets see what I can learn, apparently I have read if 6ft burly out of work builder goes in the JC they won't challenge him, but get a weaker more vunerable person going in and they will make them a target, one who asks no questions and accepts their decisions with out question. We shall see. "here starteth the game"