Work Focused Interview

When I was appealing my representative wrote up a submission several pages long detailing what descriptors we thought applied to my case, and giving relevant information about how my health condition affected me. He then wrote a supplementary submission countering the arguments the DWP responded with. He suggested the submission might be a useful document to give to the personal advisor when I get called in for a WFI, and I have now received an appointment letter for a WFI from JobCentre Plus.

I also have a letter of support from my hospital consultant that accurately summarises my health problems. I also have copies of various medical tests.

How much information should I send to the personal advisor? Do you think it would be better to send in the full submission document, or the letter from my consultant? I'm thinking maybe just the doctor's letter? Or shall I send in all of the information I have?

Should I send this information by post in advance or just bring it with me on the day?

Sorry for all the questions but I prefer to deal with the JobCentre/DWP by post as I get too anxious to speak to them on the phone.

All the best and Merry Christmas.

Hendrix

hendrix wrote:

When I was appealing my representative wrote up a submission several pages long detailing what descriptors we thought applied to my case, and giving relevant information about how my health condition affected me. He then wrote a supplementary submission countering the arguments the DWP responded with. He suggested the submission might be a useful document to give to the personal advisor when I get called in for a WFI, and I have now received an appointment letter for a WFI from JobCentre Plus.

I also have a letter of support from my hospital consultant that accurately summarises my health problems. I also have copies of various medical tests.

How much information should I send to the personal advisor? Do you think it would be better to send in the full submission document, or the letter from my consultant? I'm thinking maybe just the doctor's letter? Or shall I send in all of the information I have?

Should I send this information by post in advance or just bring it with me on the day?

Sorry for all the questions but I prefer to deal with the JobCentre/DWP by post as I get too anxious to speak to them on the phone.

All the best and Merry Christmas.

Hendrix

Hi H,

I'm assuming that your appeal is still ongoing.

If you do not wish to phone the JCP Adviser, regarding possible deferment of the WFI's,you could inform the JCPA in writing that you have indeed appealed to gain entry to The SG, and include copies of any documentation that you may have such as your G.P. letter that would indicate that you would suffer difficulties in attending WFI's.

Please remember though that the options to defer the WFI's, carry them out over the phone or in your home, are purely at the discretion of The JCPA, and you have no legal right to them.

The only negative in not contacting the JCPA by phone, would be the amount of time involved in you posting the information, and the JCPA receiving the it, and how long you have until the WFI appointment.

Please see also :

Do I have to attend WFIs while I appeal?

Work Focussed Interviews

Work Programme

Changes to ESA Sanctions

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

bro58

Thanks bro58. No, I'm not in the process of appealing anymore, sorry if that wasn't clear. I've actually had my tribunal and been placed in the WRAG group after appealing the original decision that said I wasn't eligible for ESA at all. I don't think I would have qualified for the support group, unless it was by the exceptional circumstances rule, but as I scored enough points the panel didn't consider this. If I was more on the ball at the tribunal I probably should have made sure they considered it with regard to what group I was placed in, WRAG or the support group, but I didn't, I was just relieved they allowed my appeal at all, what with the way things are.

Anyway, my current dilemma is how much supporting information to send to the personal advisor and when to send it, by post or just bring it with me on the day? Sometimes I am too exhausted to interact with people very much, so that is why I need to get as organised as I can before hand.

Thanks again.

Hendrix

Gordon wrote:

Hendrix

I would take it with you, you won't know who your advisor will be until they write to you and even then there may still be no name, or you may see someone else on the day.

You don't say what outcome you are hoping to achieve by doing this, but you should be aware that the advisor will have no medical training and is not a Decision Maker, so they will be limited in what actions they can take.

With specific reference to Work Related Activity, whilst you may be able to limit what you are asked to participate in, you cannot avoid all WRA.

Gordon

Thanks Hendrix for the clarification.

As Gordon has correctly advised make them fully aware of all your limitations, and make written formal requests for any "Reasonable Adjustments" that you may require.

Some of the information in this thread may be useful :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=10&id=95614#95614

bro58