Work Focused Interviews

Hi, thanks for answering. I really appreciate it and I cannot thank this site enough for all it does to help peaple.
I did manage to contact them and they are going to do an interview over the telephone, it seems to me that they seem to ask alot about the future, what if you feel that you dont have one.
Thinking about tonight is enough, never mind what the future holds or doesnt hold, im just fed up and its very difficult to be strong and keep going with this.
Will see what happens next,thanks.

noel wrote:

Hi, thanks for answering. I really appreciate it and I cannot thank this site enough for all it does to help peaple.
I did manage to contact them and they are going to do an interview over the telephone, it seems to me that they seem to ask alot about the future, what if you feel that you dont have one.
Thinking about tonight is enough, never mind what the future holds or doesnt hold, im just fed up and its very difficult to be strong and keep going with this.
Will see what happens next,thanks.

Hi n,

The fact that they have agreed to carry the WFI out over the phone is a positive in itself.

They "MAY" then decide to defer any further WFI's.

Good luck, try not to worry too much, and please let us know how you get on.

bro58

Hi bro I will do that.
Thank you.

I asked for my WFI to be held over the phone or deferred for now, and they point blank refused, despite telling them I am strugggling to support my mum and dad through my dad's terminal cancer prognosis (he probably won't make Christmas) and my own disabilities.

I'm beginning to wish I had gone for a reconsideration/appeal, now I'm feeling so stressed with the extra pressure of WFIs or worse still Work Programme. The ridiculous prognosis of 18 months, when I've been off work ill for 10 years only came to light when they sent the ESA85A after 6 weeks of asking (and after my month appeal date was up). I think I was so relieved to have some respite, after getting into the WRAG without a medical, I relaxed too much

AngeYorks wrote:

I asked for my WFI to be held over the phone or deferred for now, and they point blank refused, despite telling them I am strugggling to support my mum and dad through my dad's terminal cancer prognosis (he probably won't make Christmas) and my own disabilities.

I'm beginning to wish I had gone for a reconsideration/appeal, now I'm feeling so stressed with the extra pressure of WFIs or worse still Work Programme. The ridiculous prognosis of 18 months, when I've been off work ill for 10 years only came to light when they sent the ESA85A after 6 weeks of asking (and after my month appeal date was up). I think I was so relieved to have some respite, after getting into the WRAG without a medical, I relaxed too much

Hi AY,

I think this happens with many IB/IS/SDA to ESA migrants, in that, they have read so much negative information regarding the ATOS face to face assessment, that they are relieved to be placed into The WRAG on paper scrutiny alone, and even though they feel that they should be in the SG, they are fearful of "rocking the boat".

Even though the one month deadline to appeal has passed, you can make a late appeal to go into the SG upto 13 months after the adverse decision, as seen on Page 10 of the GL24 Form which is downloadable from the link on this page :

How to submit an appeal

I have read that The Tribunals are allowing a large majority of late appeals at this time.

The rules regarding late appeals state that you must show good cause. You could cite that fact that it took six weeks to obtain the ESA85A Med Report, and the fact that you have had to deal with your father's terminal illness should also be taken into account.

Further, if you feel that your limitations have increased since the time of the adverse WRAG decision due to a deterioration in your health, then you can request a Supersession (Review), there is some risk involved with either of the above , in that your WRAG award will be looked at again.

If you do appeal WRAG to SG, you can not be referred to the Works Programme, but can still be compelled to take part in WFI's etc, see : Do I have to attend WFIs while I appeal?

bro58

hi I had my first WFI at the job shop today ,my first interview was by phone.
I then had a letter giving me the time ,location of my next interview ,which could last up to an hour and that I must attend or could loose some of my benefit

My interviewer told me that she wasn,t expecting me at the job shop, this was supposed to be a phone interview and that she had told me that last time she phoned
getting there was not easy and I know I had emphersized that I have memory problems as well as physical disabilities and depression.

I asked her why I was sent the letter and she said it was a standard letter sent to all claimments.
My advice to all is if you can record any phone calls and /or double check before you travel.

She told me that I now have to think of ways that I can start to prepare myself for work.
I asked what she suggested as all tasks take me ages and I have to rest after any activity and I need help from my husband for daily living.
She said I only need to do an hour a day and that can be broken up into twenty minutes, but no suggestions as to what I should be doing
but i have to do it in order to keep my ESA, as if I dont win my appeal sometime in the future i will have lost months of work activity time.
She also said i should be thinking of courses i could do , How would I get to a course I asked well as my husband took me to the job shop he could take me.
Any one got any ideas I am confused, worn out, down, and sad to see others at the job shop so obviously not fit to work This email has taken me 2 hrs to type but its good to share