IB and work-focused interviews

cifpower

I received a letter this morning from my Jobs and Benefits Office asking me to attend a WFI on Tuesday afternoon. The Personal Adviser want to "make sure that I am getting the right support and claiming all the right benefits". Also, "this interview could last up to 40 minutes"

What exactly happens at these interviews and does anything change afterwards? For example, can you be forced into work under threat of sanction even though your doctor or CPN disagrees?

Any help is appreciated.

looby75

I think it depends on your situation. I am a lone parent and I had to attend one yesterday. Basically the advisor asked if I would be interested in starting a training course or if there was anything they could do to make it possible for me to find a job.

As it is my son isn't very well at the moment and starting a course or job would be practically impossible. So I explained this and she said fine, then she quickly looked over all the benefits I was getting, asked a few questions about my ex (to make sure he was paying maintenance etc) and that was that.

If your doctor agrees that you shouldn't be working I think you will have to apply for incapacity benefit. I don't know anything about that but plenty of other posters on the board do. Your advisor will tell you how to go about applying for this if its appropriate for you.

singlehouseholder

Hello Cifpower,
the letter you're talking about is a standard letter. All IB claimants- obviously there are certain exceptions- are expected to take part in the Work Focused Interview regime, usually within 8 weeks of making your initial claim. The purpose of this interview, is indeed to ensure that you're getting the right benefits, and to make you aware of the services that are on offer. The work focused meetings have come about after the govt green paper- welfare to work, or something like that. Basically, it was found that a lot of people with short term illness's could benefit from help, to get them back into work, whether it be education, basic skills, learning a new skill, job trials, change of career, job grants and so on.
You will NOT be forced to come off your benefit OR take any job for which you feel you're not ready or don't want to do.
The advisor can give you some pointers and literature to consider, for when you start to feel better- or- if you need to retrain, may point you in the direction of people that can train....
Nowadays the IB advisor works closely( Or should) withthe local NHS/Gp's.
The govt realise that forcing someone into a job,when they end up back on benefits, and worse off, is not a viable option.
Have a think before your app- if appropriate, is there any questions you want answering, are there any courses you may be interested in...
Please dont worry yourself though, they aren't there to force you into any work/courses/training.
Sorry for the ramble.....

cifpower

I cuurently am in receipt of the short-term higher rate of IB as I have been claiming since November 2005. I also receive the lower-rate mobility component of DLA and Income Support.

singlehouseholder

Depending on your area- and the JobCentre Plus roll out, they may just be going through a big schedule of cases, such as yourself, already in payment, and asking you in for an appointment. Honestly, it really is nothing for you to get worried about, incidentally, if you really feel you cant face it, give them a ring, they may be able to defer the appointment-ultimatley you'l have to have a meeting though so would be just postponing the inevitable. Ps they wouldnt sanction your benefit if your not well enough to work. They can sanction, down to 10p I think??? Thats not for you , thats for people who habitually ignore letters / appointments and so on. good luck at your appointment, even if you only get 1 thing out of it, then its gotta be worth it..

looby75

Oh I forgot to say that just about every member of staff I've met, at 2 different job centres, since I had to go on benefits have been really nice. Friendly helpful and understanding. Long gone (and thank god) are the days of tin hat Hitler's looking down their noses at you and begrudging you every penny you receive, as if it were coming out of their own pockets.

The advisors really are there to help, and that's all they want to do. Good luck L

SMC_2

I had one of these earlier this year.

It was just a chat about how I was health wise and so they could see if I was a candidate for permitted work, or training courses. She very quickly could see I wasn't well enough and so didn't want to waste my time explaining what options there are.

Shame the doctor at the medical couldn't be so nice.

hjb123

I had one of those and the woman that asked the questions was great and understanding about my condition. She outlined all the different benefits that woudl be available as and when I get back to work. She also gave me some leaflets to look through and said any questions just give her a call

Miroslav

Nothing to worry about. The advisors are specific to people off work with sickness, and will help you get back into work at your pace.

I see my advisor once a month, and have done for 13 months.

I reckon I could be back looking for work very soon, although still depressed.

Chrysalis

I think the way the government handles IB is a bit shocking thinking that a million or so people on IB are able to work should they be pushed. I welcome help, but I dont welcome things such as replacing parts of benefit with training vouchers etc., their should be an improved grey area instead of just black and white.

For example someone may be able to work part time at irregular hours because their conidtion is unreliable, so they could do that and still recieve IB. Currently you take a gamble, you get a job but if your illness stops it from working out you have to reclaim IB all over again.

Alot of immoral behavior from the government as well with bribing GPs and now DWP staff to get people of IB, and putting DWP advisors in GP surgeries, this on top of the current cash incentives going to atos origin medical doctors.

They forget also they will need to bribe companies to take on these people who have a poor health record as 99% of companies will want reliable workers.

cifpower

Well I had the interview yesterday. She just wanted to confirm the benefits I was on, from what date I was in receipt of them and why I was receiving DLA mobility. She asked what qualifications I had and then said, "that's all I need from you really. I will put you down for a review in 3 years times".

i was quite shocked and pleasently surpriesed!