Pathways to Work - Waste of time.

dmackay41

I have recently been retired from work on ill health pension, which fortunately for me is of sufficient amount that I cannot receive Incapacity Benefit. However, to continue to receive National Insurance contributions for my State Pension, I have just undergone an ATOS medical, despite having undergone a medical with the same doctor a few months previously in support of my application fro Industrial Injuries benefit.

I find it all quite sad that the ATOS doctor had to apologise for dragging me in for a medical again in such a short time span. He told me that he had to do this as the govt department concerned had requested it, despite Incapacity and Industrial Injuries benefis being administered from that one same department.

To cap it all, I have been told to attend a pathways to work interview despite the fact that the ill health pension I received took into account that I will never work again, and that was supported by the ATOS doctor I had seen.

What a waste of time...don`t think I will be there long....

mouseymousey99

Today I have spent most of my day laying in bed as I am in a lot of pain. Can't you just go with good grace? Its only a one time appointment, and rules are there for some guidelines. Sorry maybe I should be more sympathetic, but I've found the whole benefit system is cumbersome and hard to understand. Just go and do it, they are only doing their jobs and the sooner you have dotted the 'I's and crossed the 'T's???

dmackay41

I will go. I just think its a waste of time paid for by the tax payer. My time is free...I just think there wont be much to discuss that I don`t already know...

tenacioust123

Pathways to work interview is not just about going back to work. I had mine in November last year, there is no way i can work at the moment.

However the lady that I saw was really nice and advised me on all manor of things to do with my disability. She checked what benefits I was on to make sure I was getting all that I needed and what was availiable to me if I do go back to work in the future.

You might find you get nothing from the interview but then again you just might.

chloecat_2

I saw my advisor the other week and she was lovely.
I suffer with M.S and am not able to work at the mo. I got my doctor to write a short letter explaining how my illness affects me which i gave to her and she put on the system that i was not to be called for any more interviews.
They are just doing their jobs so don't think they are out to get you.
Be honest with them and if at all possible get a letter from your doctor. You will be fine.

dmackay41

chloecat wrote: »

I saw my advisor the other week and she was lovely.
I suffer with M.S and am not able to work at the mo. I got my doctor to write a short letter explaining how my illness affects me which i gave to her and she put on the system that i was not to be called for any more interviews.
They are just doing their jobs so don't think they are out to get you.
Be honest with them and if at all possible get a letter from your doctor. You will be fine.

They have more than a letter from my doctor...they have the results of a medical with their ATOS Healthcare doctor who apologised for having to see me ( I saw him a few months ago for Industrial Injuries benefit) again.

All I am being paid is 21 months of National Insurance credits, so I do think the whole thing is a waste of time. I have no intention, nor the ability to get back into employment, and indeed, would lose about half my present income if i did...so there is no incentive.

Please don`t get me wrong, the idea of the pathways to work is great for most, but not for me, and I still see it as a waste of time and tax payers money.

I will go to the interview though as it is worth about £1100 to me over the next 21 months, which is all I need to qualify for the state pension.