ESA to uc support group work focussed interview

Hi I am in the migration period for transferring from esa support group to universal credit and have been given a work focussed telephone appointment for around two weeks after I’m due to receive my first payment. Do I need to attend? I thought support group/ lcwra were exempt ? I did query it on my journal and was given the following response’ The appointment is more to discuss your move to UC claim, you will not be asked to look for work as I can see that you were in the support group. The agent calling you will discuss everything with you when they call you.’ Does anyone know if this is mandatory or not ? Citizens advice chat told me I could be sanctioned if I don’t attend but I thought lcwra couldn’t be sanctioned? Has any one else had this kind of interview? It’s stressing me out as I previously informed them that I couldn’t cope with long tel conversations due to cognitive issues/ fatigue etc. Really hard to find official regulations on this Many thanks

Hi Lisa

I expect you got the wrong advice from a Citizens Advice generalist telephony agent or webchat because you cannot be sanctioned at all if you have LCWRA or are ex ESA Support Group.
The DWP are currently holding a feedback survey involving Benefit Advisers and ESA Claimants and I expect the call is to do with that . But if you wish to ignore it go ahead.

David