Work Focused Interviews

Hi there,

I recently received a letter asking me to attend a Work Focused Interview at my local Jobcentre (I have been on ESA for 2 years now in the WRAG). At my interview, my Personal Advisor informed me that these sessions would be every fortnight, and continue indefinitely until I was in a job. I was shocked and explained my health conditions (M.E. with depression) and that I wasn't well enough (mentally or physically) to start looking for work. She explained that it didn't matter, and although she was actually sympathetic to my condition, that she was powerless to do anything - these were the rules and she would get into trouble if she didn't follow them. She told me there was nothing I could do, except to telephone the DWP if I had any complaints/issues as she was just following orders. I have never heard of anyone having to attend fortnightly sessions like this, and I know it will have a detrimental effect on my health if I have to attend continually like this.

I am wondering whether there is anything I can do with regards to the Jobcentre, or whether I should write to the DWP as she suggested, and ask to be put into the support group. I think I would be able to provide good supporting evidence from a GP and private psychotherapist, but I am wondering if this is a risky move - i.e. is it possible for a decision-maker to actually decide that I shouldn't be awarded any ESA at all if I ask for my case to be reconsidered?! I've heard it's very hard to get into the support group and don't want to jeopardise what I already have.

I already found Lynda's thread helpful (www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=view&catid=10&id=93125) but any suggestions on this case
would be very welcome.

Feline x

Gordon, thanks so much for your reply and sorry for the slow acknowledgement - I've not been very well lately!

I feel very strongly about asking for a SuperSession for the Support Group, as my condition had deteriorated since my original claim. Although I could provide supporting evidence to show this, my current questions are:

1) Is is likely that my asking for a SuperSession on the grounds of worsening health, would actually trigger a whole new reassessment of my ESA, seeing that I was given the award two years ago? Or should this make no difference?

2) Somebody I know suggested asking my GP to write a letter to the Jobcentre instead, saying she was against my undertaking WRA as it would pose a risk to my health. Do you think a letter like this would actually carry any weight with a Job Centre?

3) If I do ask for a SuperSession, any ideas how long it could take before I get a decision?

Thanks for reading this and any advice appreciated. I really am in a tricky situation - every welfare rights worker/charity I have approached so far has never heard of anyone having to do fortnightly indefinite interviews like this for ESA.

Cheers,

Feline x

Okay, thanks for this feedback. I'll have a think and decide how to proceed.

Feline x

Hello there,

Just thought I would post up an update to my previous posts about WRA at my local Jobcentre.

As I mentioned previously, I was suddenly called up to my local Jobcentre (Brixton) and asked to attend fortnightly interviews indefinitely until I was in work, despite having very serious medical conditions. My personal advisor told me it was obvious I shouldn't be in the WRAG but said there was nothing she could do. I wrote to the JC at the advice of Disability Rights UK with medical info from two health professionals, both advising that I was not well enough for work related activity. The JC called me up to say they would not change their minds or make 'exceptions' for me based on my health, because it would show favouritism. I was baffled. In the mean time I wrote to the DWP asking for my claim to be looked at again, and requesting entry to the support group (this was in December of last year).

In January I was sent a new ESA50 form, and shortly later, and letter from Atos for a medical. On the day of the medical itself, as I was about to set off in the taxi for the assessment, I received a letter from Atos saying I didn't need to attend because they had enough medical info to make a decision (I sent in 3 medical letters with my ESA50!).

Shortly afterwards I received another letter saying I had been moved from the WRAG to the Support Group!

My JC advisor at my next appointment told me I was no longer obliged to attend once the news was through, but that could I write a letter of positive feedback about her saying how helpful she had been (she was very pushy about this). It all sounded a bit dodgy to me and I have not done this (dealing with Brixton JC was like dealing with an office from a Kafka novel - inhumane and baffling).

I have been told I will be in the Support Group until spring 2015 until next reassessment - thank you to everyone here for their support and advice, and the great Benefits and Work guides which were invaluable in helping me fill out the forms. In total the whole process took 6 months - phew! Thanks again to everyone

Much love,

feline x