Beware of Benefit re-evaluation.

Derek4 wrote:

Hi Steve

I can assure you that the people who conduct WFIs, whether they are from JCP or a provider contracted by the DWP, do not have the power to sanction a claimant, never mind deciding the commencing date of the sanction.

Sanctions can only be imposed by a DWP decision maker and only if the claimant fails to show good cause for non-attendance. So even if a claimant fails to attend, sanctions cannot be considered without giving the claimant an opportunity to explain.

The reason I believe that these sanctions are quite rare is that I have yet to hear from anybody who posts to this forum of such a sanction. I would of course like to hear from anyone who has been sanctioned for failure to attend a WFI or carry out a mandatory WRA.

Regards

Derek

I am falling to bits in most places Derek, but my hearing is spot on.
Only commenting on what I heard mate.

So, if I refuse to attend the WFIs and get sanctioned - I still will have the basic assessment rate?

Can they take that away at all?

I would be happier just to have that amount and not play their games. I am more concerned that my N.I. contributions continue towards my pension.

For what it's worth my experience of attending WFIs last year with the Shaw Trust was very good. The person I saw although probably 30 years younger than me, was polite, very pleasant, not at all condescending & the only thing I was asked to do was to update my CV which didn't present any problems.

On one occasion she was off sick & the centre manager conducted my WFI & she couldn't have been more understanding even when I managed to spill my cup of water all over the papers on her desk & burst into tears. I was having a particularly bad day mentally due to major problems with an employment tribunal hearing the following day. Although I was already taking a low dose of antidepressants she told me I should make an urgent appointment with my GP as she thought I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Having done so, my GP promptly doubled the dosage & wrote a letter for me to say I was not well enough to attend any hearings for at least 2 months.

I wouldn't go as far as saying I looked foward to & enjoyed attending the WFIs but I have only praise for the staff I encountered. So much so I would gladly have given them 10 out of 10 for customer service if asked for formal feedback.

Sadly, the Shaw Trust lost its bid to remain the provider in my area. I know some people have had very poor experiences of WFIs - but I surely can't be the only claimant for whom the experience was entirely positive?

mayflower

Hi Marcali

Only the component part of your benefit can be sanctioned. You will still be paid at the assessment rate.

I would be quick to refuse to undertake any WRA that I thought I couldn't do or was unreasonable and appeal a sanction, and I can understand why you may feel better off not bothering with WFIs and accepting a sanction. But as mayflower said, you may have an understanding advisor and if you explain your limitations to the advisor your interviews could be deferred or spaced out.

Mayflower, I too had a very friendly advisor from Shaw Trust who didn't push me, but I was concerned that he was very optimistic that I would be ready for active engagement (whatever that is) in a few months time. Fortunately they lost their contract.

Regards

Derek

Hi Derek

Neither my adviser nor her manager gave any indication they thought I would be ready for any other WRAs within the time span of my ESA - 12 month -quite the opposite.

Yet another example of inconsistency between the same 'umbrella' provider at a local level. Realistically, I think all we can do is to take on board & learn from the best & the worst experiences; prepare ourselves accordingly; try to keep an open mind &, don't let the b******s grind us down.

mayflower