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Hi,
i am currently pregnant (due in 5 days) and receiving income support. prior to this i was on the work programme with Read.
this morning i received a telephone call from an advisor at Read asking me about my pregnancy ..including why i have not had my baby and whether i will deliver my baby on my due date or late! (not even a doctor can answer) and asking if have found a job. she said that she will call again in 6 weeks to check my job progress.
does anyone know how long i am allowed to be a mother without being forced to look for work. no one at Read has ever explained my rights. im not ready to work nor will i be in 6 weeks as i am going to be a single mother. i have no one to look after my baby
can anyone help as this is making me very stressed.
Oh my word nataliejc77!
As if you don't have enough on your hands at the moment, without people ringing you & wanting answers to impossible questions 
I'm not surprised that you're feeling stressed about this - the Read advisor who rang you was far from sensitive.
I am no expert on benefits, but I do know you will be eligible for Income Support for a period after your baby arrives. You can ask our benefits expert about your entitlement here, or look at the Benefits Agency pages here.
Is there someone you could ask to ring Read (as lrh suggested) on your behalf? I don't think you should be putting yourself through any undue hassle so close to your due date.
Hoping that all goes well for you.
This is dreadful. Read is breaking the law and could be prosecuted. Of course you can't be expected to work when you are about to have your baby. Tell them you will be making a formal complaint and seek advice from SPAN's expert. But first and foremost look after yourself and get support from your doctor -
thank you so much for your comments. i did get a friend to ring Read but unsuprisingly they take the attitude of 'dont question us,of course we are right' and as there appears to be no literature available on a persons rights in relation to the work programme.
common sense would state that i must ve entitled to some breathing space after the birth, but with the aggressive atittude of Read i will need to find something.
shame as it is stress i dont need.
Hi nataliejc77
DId you contact our benefits expert? When you are a single parent (as the law stands now) then you can be on Income Support until the child reaches the age of five, I don't understand why you have not been told this, and supported to exit from the Work Programme for a while!
Let us know your baby news 
Hi all,
thank you again for your help and advice. i havent contacted the benefit advisor as i thought this was to check that you were receiving the correct benefit. i will contact them tonight.
can anyone confirm that Reed are breaking the law, because i am no clearer and i would take the matter further if i was sure of my position.
also is anyone receiving income support and on the work prog as i though once i was on income support i would not be on the work prog as im not currently looking for a job.
i hope this has made sense, pregnancy has turned my brain to mush. currently one week overdue :(
As you're pregnant, then you shouldn't be on the work programme. You get income support, are right on top of delivering the baby, and have until the child is 5 (at the moment), before you're then moved from Income Support to Job Seekers. Have you been in touch with Citizens Advice at all? They would be able to help with regards to Reed maybe?
Do you know what sex the baby is, or did you want it to be a surprise? Good luck with everything. Let us know when he/she has arrived. If you have time that is, hehe.
Yes Nataliejc77, the Money Expert knows about all things moneywise so get a checklist of what you will get once the baby comes but as we have said, you can at present choose to be on Income Support until the child is five and there are new things to claim once the baby is born.
I do not know about Reed. it sounds totally out of order to me. I would be inclined to write a letter to both Job Centre Plus and Reed advising them of the baby's arrival once he/she is here, and that you are coming off the Work Programme (your particpation was surely voluntary before?) I would also ask in the Reed letter for a copy of their compliant procedure as you wish to submit a formal complaint about the telephone call you received.
A week overdue....eek. Any day now then, let us know and good luck, who is your birthing partner?
hi,
thank you all so much for your advice. as far as i have been made aware my participation on the work programme is compulsary, it has never been mentioned that i can opt-out. i hope that i can stay off the work programme for a while, my intention is to get a job but want some time with my son first.
i have contacted my mp and i hope she can tell my 100% where i stand so i am prepared for when reed begin to harass me again. at the moment i am avoiding answering my phone as i cant deal with the stress that the advisor at reed gives me with every call
Hi nataliejc77,
I find it very hard to believe that you have to stay on the Work Programme when you have a new baby to look after by yourself!
I understand you wanting to avoid the stress of dealing with Read at present - but I would suggest you contact the benefits advisor here at SPAN or the Benefits Agency directly using the links further up this page, as it could be a while before your MP has a chance to get back to you.
I hope you're enjoying your little boy & that his arrival into the world went smoothly.
Mary
Nataliejc77,
I work as the Parliamentary Officer at SPAN, the charity that runs One Space. I am sorry that I did not see your summer post (I was on leave when you posted). I hope things are going well with your new baby boy.
I hope that you are now back on Income Support and you are nolonger on the Work Programme? As the single parents on the site have pointed out you should not be on a job seeking benefit when your child is so young. At the moment until your child reaches five.
I am doing a short study about single parents so would be interested in hearing more about how your case with the Work Programme was resolved. It would be great to hear how your MP helped.
All the very best
Laura 
Hi, Natalie did you get your situation sorted? I hope you did. I am worried because i have to see an adviser next week to transfer to the work programme. The thing is i am 21 weeks pregnant and single. Now i do not want to sign up to this for 2 years when i would be signing off jsa when i'm 29 weeks to claim income support. I am thinking of just stopping my claim for jsa now and just living on my child tax credit for the next 8 weeks. Like you I do want to work but not until my child is at least weaned!! I want to enjoy the 1st months with my baby without the hassle from job centre. Can anyone offer advice?
Hello jacqueline, I would go along to the appointment and explain your situation and do not go on the Work Programme, I do not see why you can't stay on JSA for a few more weeks until your maternity leave
Hi Jacqueline78
There is some help on the Consumer Action Group Forum, Very helpful too. Either create a new posting within the subsection or join a thread (this all can be done but you have to join Consumer Action Group).
Here's the link:
http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?309173-Ingeus/page73
MOERATOR: thanks for this helpful link, Helly13, I have edited your post as forum rules mean we can't mention individual users of another forum but Jacqueline78 will be able to see the forum from your link, thank you
Dear All,
Please get in touch if you want to be interviewed about your experience of the Work Programme. I am offering a £20 shop voucher for half and hour of your time over the telephone. I will not share your personal details and your experiences could help to improve the services offered to single parents in the future.
Many thanks
Laura (L.dewar@spanuk.org.uk)
Hi,
Thank you again for all of your comments, you have all be so kind and helpful. Firstly, how do single mothers cope with more than one child, having a newborn is exhausting!!
I did receive a reply from Chris Grayling (M.P), unfortunately it contradicts everything I have been told previously. Apparently if you have a child under one year and as a lone parent you are still on the work programme, however your participation is voluntary until the child is ONE year, not five. They also gave me details of an advisor at my local job centre who I call and unsuprisingly gave me different information!!! Again, no-one has any literature on the work programme so you are at the mercy of the work programme and their dubious methods
To clear up any confusion I have been on Income Support since I was 29 weeks pregnant, the telephone call from the Read advisor came whilst I was on Income support. The advisor knew I was no longer claiming Job Seekers, they have been told twice and had received two emails on this. I also explained this during the telephone call.
Laura I would be very happy to participate in your study.
Jacqueline78 I hope this information is helpful, I can forward you the reply from C. Grayling if this would be helpful. Personally, I would avoid the work programme like the plaque, you dont want phone calls five days prior to your due date demanding you get a job.
Hi, thanks for the replies. I phoned an adviser at jobcentre today and I was told even tho i only have 7 weeks to sign i have to go on the work programme. I told her I would stop my claim for jsa for the next few weeks. She said I can do that but I might not be able to claim income support when I reach 29 weeks as I could manage without it if I can manage without claiming the jsa! It's not that I can manage ok without but I'd rather be struggling for a few weeks than be hassled by them for the next 2 yrs. also she said by not claiming jsa I won't be able to claim housing benefit. I have been told otherwise on that one but I'd better double check! Can they put me on the work program if I don't sign anything? I have 2 choices, sign off now or go to work programme interview. Really not sure what to do.
Jacqueline78,
I am sorry that you are having such a hard time with the Jobcentre. Not nice especially as it would be good to be able to focus on your pregnancy. This morning I have contacted senior staff at the DWP about the treatment of single parents who are pregnant and have been told to transfer onto the Work Programme. As soon as I hear I will get back to you.
In terms of my opinion I would be surprised that Work Programme providers would want pregnant women to transfer over to the Programme. This is because they are paid the most for getting people into sustainable work within the two years and this may be less likely for someone who is pregnant or who has a baby. In any case as you point out you will soon not be on JSA and with a new baby you should not be asked to look for paid work (until your youngest child reaches five). In terms of breaking your claim for JSA I would be cautious. I would instead ask to see the complaints procedure for JCP and ask for an appointment with the manager.
I will let you know as soon as I hear back from the DWP.
Laura
Thankyou Laura. Natilie; what happens when your baby reaches a year old? Does the work programme become compulsory again? If you chose to could you still stay on income support until your child is 5? Or will you have to claim job seekers?
hi laura,
could you also check my circumstances. i am on income support and have a six week old. would i also be entitled to five years or do i only get one year?
i would be so grateful
Nataliejc77 Jacqueline,
I have contacted the DWP about the treatment of single parents who are pregnant or have just had a baby and the Work Programme. I will let you know as soon as I hear back from them. In terms of general principles of Income Support and JSA - single parents whose youngest child is aged under 5 are not required to be job seekers but are required to attend the Jobcentre at intervals and there will be discussion about how best to prepare in the future for your return to work (you should be on Income Support during this time). Once your youngest child reaches five then you are transferred onto JSA and become a job seeker with the same requirements as other job seekers to prepare and be available for work. There are some flexibilities open to you as a single parent such as restricting your proposed hours of work to take account of your caring responsibilities (including limiting your hours of work to school hours when your youngest child is under 13 years of age). Claimants who are longer term unemployed and on JSA are transferred onto the Work Programme usually when they have been job seeking for a year.
Hope this helps in the meantime.
Laura
nataliejc 77
I hope things are going ok for you. I have now heard back from the DWP who have given a statement about how pregnant women should be treated under the Work Programme. Here is the link http://www.onespace.org.uk/benefits/pregnant-women-and-work-programme
Please let me know if this answers your query or whether there are outstanding issues that need to be resolved?
All the best
Laura
Thank you for getting back to me. you have really settled my mind, however in my case the rules were not followed. read told me to a apply for income support and knew about my due date when they called. was never referred back to the job centre.
please for the sanity of other pregnant women can you not stress in parliment that the rules are not being followed . when one applies for job seekets or income support there are leaflets which explain the procedures and requirements for people claiming. there is nothing for the work programme, if there were maybe others would be less wary of the scheme.
rant over!
Thanks for your post nataliejc77, have you been given information about how to complain about the work programme?
nataliejc77
Thank you for your post. I am currently writing a response to Parliament about the Work Programme which I will be sending in next week. I am going to include your case (not sharing your personal details) about pregnancy and the Work Programme. It was so unfair that you were not taken off the Programme and not referred back to the Jobcentre. Not the pressure that you need when you are just about to have a baby.
I hope that the evidence that I give to Parliament might help change the way that pregnant women are treated on the Work Programme. I am happy to share my response and any reaction that I get as a result.
All the very best to you.
Laura
Hi Laura
Not sure where to post my comment to you so have decided to pop it here xxx
I have taken a job, initially it was for 10 hours and on going to the jc was told that as a single parent on JS and not IS then the disregard was only £5 per week this left me £15 per week worse off, I had thought there was a £20 disregard for all single parents but it seems not, how can this be fair when regardless of JS or IS the amount of money received is the same?
I have managed to up the hours to 16 and am going in to the jc tomorrow to sing off yippie so happy not to have to go there again.
Having done some digging it seems I will be intitled to IWC and the £250 grant and also a 4 week run on for rent and council tax.
I just thought you should know that if you are on JS then it appears there is a discrimination aspect which will not encourage any songle parent to take up work that is low hours ie under 16, we didnt choose to go on JS we were migrated to it.
Tiredmum,
First many congratulations on moving into work. Not easy in the current climate so very well done to you. I agree that the work incentives moving from Jobseekers Allowance into work especially under 16 hours are not good. The new Universal Credit which is introduced in October next year should help to address this including supporting what they refer to as mini jobs (under 16 hours) including access to help with childcare costs.
It is great that you have access to In Work Credit, the back to work grant and the 4 week run in on rent and council tax. It would be good if you could share with other One Spacers how you found out about this help and so others might also have access. JCP are not always forthcoming in saying what is available so it would be good to help other single parents know what questions to ask! We could share this information on the One Space site on the benefits forum and in our information sections (which I am due to update early next year).
Again well done in getting work and all the very best to you. Let us know how you are getting on. Hope you enjoy your signing off.
Laura
Hi all,
could i ask again for your help! have there been any changes in the work programme rules/conditions...i am asking because once again Reed have been in contact. i have been given a compulsory interview despite my son being ten months.
is the rule regarding only voluntary participation in the work programme for your childs first two years still in place.
thank you in advance
Hello again, are you still claiming Income Support I wonder? You can claim Income Support until your little boy is 5 although the Job Centre can ask you in for interviews and it is best to attend as Laura has outlined above. You do not need to be on JSA and the Work programme until your little boy is 5.
hi,
thank you for your speedy reply. yes i am still on income support. hence not looking for a job as im still breast feeding. i just wondered of the rules have changed hence their renewed sudden interest in me! is my participation compulsary/necessary
No I don't think so, you can stay on IS until he is five. Good luck with the interview, and let us know how you get on.
well if i can find out before the interview that my participation is voluntary i will not be attending. i dont trust Reed and i want as little to do with them as humanly possible.
if anyone knows for definate i will be so so grateful
I am sorry I do not know for definite. I will ask Laura to comment on this thread
nataliejc77
Thank you for your post. I cannot understand why you are being referred back to the Work Programme when your son is still so young. The only group of parents that have to attend the Work Programme when they have children under 5 are European citizens that have the right to work in Britain but do not have the right to be on social security benefits therefore they must be actively seeking work and hence on the Jobseekers Allowance and or the Work Programme. If you do not fit into that category then you should arrange to have a meeting at Jobcentre Plus and explain your situation and get them to make arrangements with Reed to stop contacting you. Get everything written down and on your records. In terms of contact with Jobcentre Plus they can ask you to come in for Work Focused interviews but you are not normally asked to attend until your child is aged 1. These meetings are designed to help you prepare for the future when you will be expected to look for work and can be useful for instance to help you think about what studying or training you might want to do whilst your child is young (and before they go to school). These meetings are not frequent but you are obliged to attend them.
Do let us know how you get on with Reed and the Jobcentre.
Laura
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for your advice, which i did take. I called my local job centre and told them about my situation and asked them to intervene. They told me they would deal with Reed and get back to me. Well that was last monday and im still waiting for my call back!! i willchase them up but if there is a problem i dont doubt i would have heard by now.
Thank you all again for your help,
nataliejc77
Thank you for letting me know how things are going. I hope you hear from the Jobcentre soon.
All the best
Laura
Congratulations on the impending arrival of your baby
Not sure if I can answer your question but it might be worth ringing them and asking them to explain your rights