A bit confused regarding recent phone call (ESA related)

PopcornUK

I have been on IB but recently got a ESA form to fill in, which I did. A month later I got a phone call, not from ATOS as I would have expected (or at least that is how it happened in the IB days) but instead the job centre, they said my benefit will continue but I have been put in the work group, or at least this is what I think they said, it was all a blur. They said I would have to attend work focused interviews or something and that my benefit will be sanctioned if I didn't.

I am confused though, how come it went straight to this rather than a ATOS interview ? Or does the medical happen soon ? Or has it been decided from my forms ?

I was told I would be sent a letter with what happens next on. But can anyone tell me what is likely to happen next ? Do the staff there have my ESA forms that I filled in ?

Sorry for the confusion, just sinking in now, as it seems different to the IB days. Thanks all.

rogerblack

You've been approved for the WRAG group without an in-person medical. They can do this, yes.
If you think you've been wrongly assessed, you can appeal the decision.
If you don't attend the WFIs, without good reason, then your benefits entitlement is reduced due to sanction.

YOu can appeal the decision, and ask to be placed in the support group.
This does in principle run the risk of being found able to work.

In my case, the WFI has s far been two 15 minute long meetings, 6 months apart.

They can refer people on the WRAG to the 'work program' - where they can ask you to do essentially anything apart from apply for work, do work, or undergo medical treatment - but this is supposed to be 'reasonable'.

First step - phone them up and ask for a written statement of reasons - if the letter that arrives isn't clear.
Then decide if you want to appeal the decision.

PopcornUK

Thanks Roger. I guess ATOS got sick of my face for all the medicals I have been to in the past. You mentioned a "work program", you said they can ask to do anything apart from applying for work, doing work, or medical treatment. Did you mean they "can" ask people to do those things, or did you really mean "apart from" those things ? If you did mean apart from, then what things can they ask you to do ?

Do the WFI people have the ESA forms ? Or would I need to explain to them my problems ?

Thanks for your help and advice. They said I am being sent letters explaining, I am just impatient and a bit bewildered.

rogerblack

PopcornUK wrote: »

If you did mean apart from, then what things can they ask you to do ?

Pretty much anything that they think is reasonable for you.

http://www.cdguk.org/for-the-jobseeker/about-the-work-programme

I can find no nice easy explanation.

You are only eligable if your 'prognosis' (this is the time at which the HCP recommends that your condition should be looked at again as it's likely you will recover) is 6 or 3 months. If it's 6 or 3 months, then you may be put on the work program 3 months before this date.
Those caring for very young children are also exempted.

You can appeal if it's not reasonable.