Beware of Benefit re-evaluation.

Hi all

I have had my second WFI and came out of it very upset and angry.

At my first interview, I was told that the purpose of the interviews was to get me back into some kind of work, so,to be fair, I did an extensive search of volunteering and educational courses that would take into account my health issues and age.

I am 56, with serious Angina, High blood pressure, and have mental health issues with at times, suicidal thoughts.

The course I found seemed perfect, it being a Nature conservation course at a local college, designed specifically for people with health issues like mine.
It gets you back into meeting people, doing small tasks around a nature reserve and gave you some much needed fresh air
The course was 1 day a week for 4 hours for 20 weeks.

I was really looking forward to joining it, but, when I told the WFI adviser, the first thing I was told was that I had to phone up the benefits office to inform them, as it could affect my benefits.
From the way it was told to me, I got the distinct impression that if you can do an educational course, or work related volunteering, then you stand a good chance of being reassessed and placed on JSA

I ripped up the course information sheet up in front of the adviser and said that was the last time I will try.
If the Welfare Reform Bill gets through the Lords unchanged, I will lose my ESA entitlement next August anyway, as my wife works full time.

Sorry this turned into a rant, but, you try and do your part and get kicked in the teeth for doing it

Steve

I thought the WFI people were able to do a benefits check and give you a better off statement (which if not correct you can sue them) and they would sort out any courses etc and fix it with the DWP, after all they will be getting £14,000 to get you into work!
Regards
Peter

The point being made is that even following the regime to the extent of taking a step forward, might involve reassessment by ATOS

I beleive this would depend on whether the engagement in the course would contradict the basis on which you get mental health points... so if you highly pointed on social disabilities, your successful partricipation might make them think of reassessing you

I know its a horrid thoiught, I appreciate and understand the anger. I feel it myself. Talk about social exclusion.

Hi Qushqai

You are required to inform the DWP of any voluntary work you do but I'm not entirely sure if it's necessary when the voluntary work has been assigned by your provider, as the DWP will be aware that your provider is (supposedly) helping you back to work and can ask you to do voluntary work. Best to inform them if in doubt though.

I cannot see how such work can affect you benefit as it's one of the conditions of entitlement for ESA. You could potentially be asked to undertake full-time work experience working at a supermarket checkout (and have to explain how you done it at your next WCA) but it should not affect your entitlement to ESA.

It is most unfortunate that you found a course that you liked and was looking forward to joining, only to be put off by the very organization paid millions to help people back to work!

Regards

Derek

This makes me so angry!

And scared of the WFIs. Could it be, potentially, that any cooperation could mean you are reassessed - i.e. if you can do work experience, or volunteer or attend a course or even type a CV - you could be seen as capable for work and reassessed for JSA?

But if you don't cooperate they have sanctions!

It seems that WFIs can be a Catch-22 situation.

Hi Marcali

I hope I haven't frightened you or anyone else with the suggestion that you could be asked to do full-time work experience - I was being a little light-hearted. The law will allow it if the Welfare Reform Bill goes through but I think it is very unlikely that it would be applied to the maximum.

There is some truth in what you said. Cooperate with the advisor and attend an activity, go to your next face-to-face, tell the HCP what you did - the next thing you know you are fit for work!

On the other hand advisers do not always make work-related activities mandatory so you may not be required to do them. If you are asked to do anything unreasonable and refuse, resulting in your benefit being sanctioned, this is appealable. However DWP guidance states that sanctions are used very sparingly and I have yet to hear of anyone who has been sanctioned for failing to meet their 'action plan' or whatever it's called now, so they are extremely rare.

Regards

Derek