Interview exemption?

WhiteHorse

I have read elsewhere that confirmed sufferers of polyarthritis are exempt from being called for a 'work focused interview'.

Is this so? If true, could someone kindly point me at a government document that confirms this?

healy

WhiteHorse wrote: »

I have read elsewhere that confirmed sufferers of polyarthritis are exempt from being called for a 'work focused interview'.

Is this so? If true, could someone kindly point me at a government document that confirms this?

No this is not true, there is not an exemption for that condition.

Jowo_2

I don't know if this is still up to date as it dates from 2003 but you can always double check with the Disability alliance

Regulation 3: Requirement for a relevant person claiming a specified benefit to take part in an interview

There are to be no exemptions for any groups of disabled people from the requirement to take part in an initial work-focused interview. This reflects the existing provision within the Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews) Regulations 2001

http://www.disabilityalliance.org/r39.htm

More info here which seems more up to date

"
Who does not have to attend a work focused interview?

The personal adviser has the discretion to waive or defer attendance for an interview. Once attendance has been waived you are treated as if you had taken part in the interview. If attendance has been deferred you will have to attend an interview at a later date.
You are also not required to attend a work-focused interview if:

• you reach the qualifying age for pension credit
• you are placed in the employment and support allowance support group
• you are claiming IS/IB and are exempt from the personal capability assessment (PCA)

http://www.disabilityalliance.org/f10.htm

Here again, it says that everyone is required to attend one that receives any of these benefits -" income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, widows’ and bereavement benefits (but not lump sum payments), incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance and invalid care allowance. "

and that

"The Government has indicated that people who are terminally ill, over pension age, or getting HB/CTB while in full-time work, will be exempt from interviews. Interviews should be deferred where a person is ‘recovering from a major operation’; where ‘a lone parent has recently had a baby’; or where ‘someone’s mental illness is such that it would not be appropriate for him or her to have the interview’.2 However, there will no group exemptions for severely disabled people, full-time carers, or people with children under 5. The Government is unwilling to prescribe in regulations all situations where interviews should be waived or deferred."

http://www.cpag.org.uk/cro/wrb/wrb150/wrb1.htm

dmg24

Do you have specific concerns about the WFI?

WhiteHorse

Thanks for that JOWO. The first link is for a consultation document only. However ...

DIAL factsheet No.25 states that someone who has active and progressive polyarthritis is exempt from the PCA.

DIAL factsheet No.10 states that someone who is exempt from the PCA, is exempt from the WFI.

So far so good, but I'd still like to find the DWP source document.

WhiteHorse

dmg24 wrote: »

Do you have specific concerns about the WFI?

A friend has been called in for a WFI, even though it appears to be inappropriate.

This is not the first occurrence. Another friend who is terminally ill had an identical letter. On his enquiring as to why, the DWP claimed computer error.

dmg24

Was your friend exempt from the PCA (are they on IB or ESA)?

WhiteHorse

dmg24 wrote:

Was your friend exempt from the PCA (are they on IB or ESA)?

Yes, it appears so, courtesy of active and progressive polyarthritis.

Jowo_2

WhiteHorse wrote: »

Thanks for that JOWO. The first link is for a consultation document only. However ...

DIAL factsheet No.25 states that someone who has active and progressive polyarthritis is exempt from the PCA.

DIAL factsheet No.10 states that someone who is exempt from the PCA, is exempt from the WFI.

So far so good, but I'd still like to find the DWP source document.

Perhaps Dial can provide the DWP guidance that underpins their fact sheet?

dmg24

WhiteHorse wrote: »

Yes, it appears so.

Do you mean that they were exempt, or that you believe they should have been? Are they are IB or ESA?

healy

WhiteHorse wrote: »

Thanks for that JOWO. The first link is for a consultation document only. However ...

DIAL factsheet No.25 states that someone who has active and progressive polyarthritis is exempt from the PCA.

DIAL factsheet No.10 states that someone who is exempt from the PCA, is exempt from the WFI.

So far so good, but I'd still like to find the DWP source document.

I dont think that is correct as the rules have changed.

There have been questions about this before on here, if you do a search you should find confirmation.