DEA interviews

Don't know if there have been any recent changes regarding people in ESA Support Group having to attend interviews with a DEA but I have just received an appointment to see an advisor at my local Jobcentre even though I was placed in the Support Group in December 2011 with a reassessment dated of October 2013. I telephoned the office to be told that they wanted to see how they could help me back to work/what help I may need, I queried this as I'm in the Support Group only to be told told that I have to see a DEA at least once a year or 6 months before a reassessment, is this correct? I last saw this DEA in summer 2010 when I was in WRAG and was unable to speak to her personally today, I'm confused and worried.

Daydreamer wrote:

Don't know if there have been any recent changes regarding people in ESA Support Group having to attend interviews with a DEA but I have just received an appointment to see an advisor at my local Jobcentre even though I was placed in the Support Group in December 2011 with a reassessment dated of October 2013. I telephoned the office to be told that they wanted to see how they could help me back to work/what help I may need, I queried this as I'm in the Support Group only to be told told that I have to see a DEA at least once a year or 6 months before a reassessment, is this correct? I last saw this DEA in summer 2010 when I was in WRAG and was unable to speak to her personally today, I'm confused and worried.

Hi,

I am not aware of any changes requiring ESA Support Group claimants to have to attend for Work Focussed interviews.

Support Group claimants may voluntarily attend, however the JC+ DEA's seem to be having problems keeping up with the amount of WFI's for those in the WRAG, let alone taking on volunteer Support Group claimants.

It maybe worth recontacting them and asking them to verify why they want you to attend.

Pete

Many thanks Pete, will contact DEA on Monday when she is back from leave.