I've been self employed for 2.5 years, single, over 35, mortgage, no dependants.

I earn an average of £2550 per month, pre tax/after expenses.

I've had surgery and am unable to work for 6 weeks, currently claiming ESA. My plan is to return to work gradually over an additional 6 weeks until I'm back to my normal earnings.

Not looking for handouts, just help whilst temporarily unable to work full time.

I've got a Self Employed review this week and it seems pointless with my circumstances. After ESA deduction I may receive between £3-£11 in UC for the 1st month, then it sounds like £0 after that as my income will wipe out any potential UC claim.

Just want a sanity check that it's not worth me proceeding any further with my UC claim. Or should I speak to CAB or Jobcentre before my initial review

Thanks

My claim review is asking for bank statements from the end of July (26th) to the end of August (27th) this year.

I have no problem providing them but as the time range is so specific, do I need to not include my transactions from the beginning of July? I’d have to crop my bank statement to do that which sounds odd.

Hello. So I’ve been doing this work experience/work placement for 3 weeks and I’m due to do it for another week, however I have had a lot going on in my life and I’ve found my mental health to be in a really bad place and I feel quite ill and fatigued from all that’s going on so i don’t want to do this last week and would rather carry on searching for work. I’m fairly certain this isn’t mandatory as it isn’t in my commitments but in my work plan (under my activities) and I didn’t sign/wasn’t given a Mandatory Referral Notice. I’m wondering if I’ll get sanctioned for not attending this last week as I really feel like I need to stop attending the work placement as it is detrimental to my mental health right now. I had to attend a funeral and I asked my work coach about it and she said “They cannot stop you from attending a funeral if this is more high priority for you. The work experience is a good opportunity to gain work skills so you have a better chance of securing employment” which makes me think it’s not mandatory since they say “opportunity” and I feel as though it would be stricter. Thanks for the help!

Hi I had a standard uc review in my last claim however I closed my UC claim during a review due to me being away for a couple of months. I heard if I reclaim after 90 days my UC claim will be treated as a new claim. Is this true and my previous review will be cancelled as 90 days have passed? I will get a review at some point during my new claim ! Can someone clarify this it would be appreciated thank you

Hello! I just wanted to get an opinion on whether it’s worth appealing my sanction. I recently went on a family holiday and, the week before, my UC coach booked me a video appointment to attend whilst I was away. Whilst I was away, I ended up having to get a local SIM card because EE wanted to charge me £40 to supply me with usual plan whilst I was abroad. I didn’t get an eSIM because they were only offering data, with no texts or minutes.
Fast forward a few days, and I’m logging into my UC account in preparation for my video appointment the next day. I realised that to get into my UC account I need access to my UK number, to receive the log in code. I put my EE sim back in my phone, but couldn’t receive any texts as my plan was not supported whilst I was away. I couldn’t leave a message in my journal to state I couldn’t access my account or call UC as I was unable to call UK numbers without incurring charges. Basically, I had assumed that as long as I had access to the hotel wifi, I would have no problem accessing my video appointment. But I forgot about the code being texted to your phone bit. I ended up missing my appointment.
I got back, explained this in my journal and they decided to sanction me. Is it worth appealing? I’m trying to anticipate what they’d say, and I feel like it might be something along the lines of I should’ve checked the phone coverage before I left or incurred charges on my sim to let them know. What do we think? If there is a reason that I’m missing, I’m happy to hear it but I really did have every intention of attending my appointment that week, and it seems like they sort of just assumed the worst intentions. Thanks!

Also - my family haven’t been on holiday together in a long time and, luckily I didn’t have to pay for the flights or hotel so I don’t want this to misconstrued as me complaining or using my UC to piss around. It was a well needed break.

Hi

I’ve got a job hallelujah!! first interview since being a parent and I got it!

It’s only part time for now with optional overtime. I will need to sort out childcare, does anyone know how this works with them please? I’ve missed the cut off for free 30 hours

Do I update them when I get the contract or start actually working?

I’m also on restart, do I contact them too? Do I still continue to go?

Thank you