- Posts: 42
× Members
Letter from work coach
- Sasha
- Topic Author
- Offline
Less More
2 years 2 months ago #274816 by Sasha
Letter from work coach was created by Sasha
I am in the ESA Support Group and have been for years. Today I received a letter from a work coach at my local job centre. The letter was basically telling me everything she could do to help me back to work and stressing how much working would help me. It said it was up to me whether I went ahead with the options they were offering but then said that the work coach would phone me in 2 weeks to discuss this with me. This has never happened before. Is it usual practice? I am completely housebound and so unwell at the moment, I am really worried about this.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gary
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 8227
2 years 2 months ago #274832 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Letter from work coach
Hi Philippa C
The Government are trying to get the long term disabled back into the work place, jobcentres do have funding available to help claimants back into work.
Personally I think it is wrong to send out the letters, as claimants are assessed periodically to see if they are fit for work.
Don't let yourself be stress or worried about the letter, they are not picking on you, I believe the letters have gone out to everyone claiming ESA support.
Gary
The Government are trying to get the long term disabled back into the work place, jobcentres do have funding available to help claimants back into work.
Personally I think it is wrong to send out the letters, as claimants are assessed periodically to see if they are fit for work.
Don't let yourself be stress or worried about the letter, they are not picking on you, I believe the letters have gone out to everyone claiming ESA support.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sasha, SUE C C
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gordon
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 51288
2 years 2 months ago #274833 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Letter from work coach
Philippa
Another user reported receiving this letter last week.
While you are in the Support Group the law does not allow the DWP to require you to work or to carry out Work Related Activity, you may choose to do either or both but the decision is completely in your hands with no comeback from the DWP.
Gordon
Another user reported receiving this letter last week.
While you are in the Support Group the law does not allow the DWP to require you to work or to carry out Work Related Activity, you may choose to do either or both but the decision is completely in your hands with no comeback from the DWP.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sasha, SUE C C
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SUE C C
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 233
2 years 2 months ago #274839 by SUE C C
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by SUE C C on topic Letter from work coach
Hello Philippa C
Please don't stress yourself out over this. I am sure that for some benefit claimants the option to try 'Permitted or Therapeutic Work' if they choose to, may prove beneficial, but don't feel that you have to just because you have received correspondence from the JobCentre. Don't let the thought of a phone call cause you anxiety, the choice is totally yours.
I would be, perhaps naively hopeful that things have improved significantly over the years but I do have a cautionary tale.
It's been a while since I've received letters from the DWP, I progressed from Incapacity Benefit to ESA so it has been some time, inviting me to try 'Therapeutic, Permitted Work . But, back in the day, I received numerous 'Invitations' to try employment. After a totally disastrous attempt at the 'Permitted Work Scheme' I manned a telephone help line from home, I subsequently had my ESA stopped and received a notice of overpayment of benefit as I had, for some reason, been deemed 'Fit to Work' I eventually had to turn to a local Disability Welfare Charity to resolve the issue, which took several months and was incredibly distressing for me. It has obviously left a lasting, negative impression on me and I am afraid that I for one would not consider 'Trying' work, permitted or otherwise for this very reason.
So, try to chill out and remember, you're the one in control and the decision is totally yours to make NOT the JobCentre or DWP x
Please don't stress yourself out over this. I am sure that for some benefit claimants the option to try 'Permitted or Therapeutic Work' if they choose to, may prove beneficial, but don't feel that you have to just because you have received correspondence from the JobCentre. Don't let the thought of a phone call cause you anxiety, the choice is totally yours.
I would be, perhaps naively hopeful that things have improved significantly over the years but I do have a cautionary tale.
It's been a while since I've received letters from the DWP, I progressed from Incapacity Benefit to ESA so it has been some time, inviting me to try 'Therapeutic, Permitted Work . But, back in the day, I received numerous 'Invitations' to try employment. After a totally disastrous attempt at the 'Permitted Work Scheme' I manned a telephone help line from home, I subsequently had my ESA stopped and received a notice of overpayment of benefit as I had, for some reason, been deemed 'Fit to Work' I eventually had to turn to a local Disability Welfare Charity to resolve the issue, which took several months and was incredibly distressing for me. It has obviously left a lasting, negative impression on me and I am afraid that I for one would not consider 'Trying' work, permitted or otherwise for this very reason.
So, try to chill out and remember, you're the one in control and the decision is totally yours to make NOT the JobCentre or DWP x
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sasha
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Gordon, Gary, BIS, Catherine, Wendy, Kelly, greekqueen, peter, Katherine, Super User, Chris, David