The Work Programme New Thread

looby75

donnajunkie wrote: »

did you correct them and say as you had signed off could they explain how they think you havent informed the jobcentre.

I hadn't signed off at that point (only did that today) I phoned the JC and told them the doc had given me a sick note for 2 weeks and asked what I should do, they said that as the sick note was only for 14 days I could just fill in a illness form and would be excused from signing that week. I did tell them I had most definitely informed both the JC and themselves but they just brushed it over.

I had hoped that 2 weeks would be all I needed but when I went back to the GP today she said I need longer and signed me off for another 4 weeks, so now I've got to sign off JSA and start claiming ESA until the doc thinks I'm ok to go back on JSA.

donnajunkie

looby75 wrote: »

I hadn't signed off at that point (only did that today) I phoned the JC and told them the doc had given me a sick note for 2 weeks and asked what I should do, they said that as the sick note was only for 14 days I could just fill in a illness form and would be excused from signing that week. I did tell them I had most definitely informed both the JC and themselves but they just brushed it over.

I had hoped that 2 weeks would be all I needed but when I went back to the GP today she said I need longer and signed me off for another 4 weeks, so now I've got to sign off JSA and start claiming ESA until the doc thinks I'm ok to go back on JSA.

ok, when they said you havent informed the jobcentre what they were really saying is you hadnt signed off. until you have signed off you are still obliged to do as they say i suspect.

looby75

donnajunkie wrote: »

ok, when they said you havent informed the jobcentre what they were really saying is you hadnt signed off. until you have signed off you are still obliged to do as they say i suspect.

Not if you have a sick note from the GP you don't, which I did have at the time and told them that. They said I hadn't contacted the JC AT ALL.

donnajunkie

looby75 wrote: »

Not if you have a sick note from the GP you don't, which I did have at the time and told them that. They said I hadn't contacted the JC AT ALL.

the jobcentre wont have informed them.

looby75

donnajunkie wrote: »

the jobcentre wont have informed them.

the JC said they would, but it doesn't matter anyway as I phoned and told them myself on the day the doc signed me off, they just didn't make note of it.

lizzie157

lizzie157 wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right place but no one has answered my thread so just wondered if anyone on here can help. My partner is on ESA and I was called in for a work focused interview and offered a place on Launchpad, I have been told I won't be forced onto it but that I would receive help with a CV, basic maths and english, self esteem and confidence building and a 4 wk work placement. I am seeing someone else in a couple of weeks. The person I saw was v. nice if a bit naive. The thing is I don't really need help with the CV, maths, english, jobsearching etc and was thinking of doing some voluntary work anyway under my own steam, so am wondering just how useful this Launchpad is? It does sound like the programmes described on here and if so I can't see the point in attending as I know how to look for work etc and hopefully any voluntary work I find will help with my confidence. Does anyone know if it is the same as that offered to those who sign on ?

Wow this must be some course no one seems to have done it can't get any info from anyone whose taken it up!!!!!!!!!!

p0ndlife

TeaCake wrote: »

Have you asked why you need to check in with her once a month? I start my job in five weeks, I really hope that whatever WP I am with cannot claim money or the credit for it. :think:

The pay structure for Work Programme providers might enlighten you:
Starting the Work Programme: £400
Job Outcome (six months work): £1200
Sustained work: up to £2800, or £215 pm.

You are neither legally nor contractually obliged to give your provider information you do not wish to.

KevInChester

lizzie157 wrote: »

Wow this must be some course no one seems to have done it can't get any info from anyone whose taken it up!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't need help with basic maths, English and writing a CV I wouldn't bother. Add into that the fact you are wanting to work voluntarily anyway, you might as well just set your own placement up and on your terms.

I don't know too much about this particular scheme but thought you'd appreciate an answer of sorts.

andy2004

donnajunkie wrote: »

what they dont realise is they need our co-operation to make money. what i am saying is if i ever got sanctioned through them i would be tempted to send in the withdrawal of consent letter. if they asked me why, i would say because you got me sanctioned. i would also continue to say if things improve over the next few months i will consider reinstating my consent.

simple reason i dont, I was told it was MANDATORY not voluntary by my JSA advisor who put me on this program in Dec 2011, well when SHE phoned up and was told in no certain terms they wouldnt be able to see me until late January, in which she turned round to them and said "I thought when I booked someone to see you, you had to see them within a 2 week period. not 4-6weeks or more."
My JSA advisor also didnt give me anything to sign in the first place, or any info on the work program or any pieces of paper to withdrawal from the program.
And i was told that if I didnt go I could lose my benefits upto 2years, and I also wasnt told I could get myself removed from the course. I will be asking at my next signing day. after all the work program currently isn't doing anything to help me.

oh to quote the workprogram woman, They didnt stop my benefits the jobcentre did. So its the jobcentre who sanctioned me and had nothing to do with them.

actually it was the DWP who sanctioned me, but when i phoned them up to complain about it, they told me i had to speak with someone at the jobcentre as it was down to THEM, everyone is passing the buck.

1. who told the jobcentre i didnt turn up at my appointment? Workprogram staff

2. who told me to write a letter of appeal the same day they phoned me and take it down to them THAT DAY. Workprogram

3. who failed to sent the above letter to the jobcentre explaining why i missed my appointment, Work program.
it seems i forgot to sign the letter, so i went down to sign it, and when i got there, they didnt have my letter, so they faxed the original letter i sent to the workprogram, where i signed it and then it was supposed to be SENT BACK.
But 1 week later i get a letter from the jobcentre asking me to write on the back of This letter explaining why i missed my appointment?
so i did, and posted it myself on which at the bottom i said "I have already given a letter explaining why i missed my appointment on "whatever day it was cant remember as i'm typing this", to the staff at A4E who have told me they have passed it on to you and they have proof of posting.
Oh and the woman at A4E said if I wanted to complain she would make me an appointment to see her boss who is also a woman, to which i replied I already did that to the woman who carried out the servey on the phone, and it would be worthless speaking to your boss as it would like everything else be put directly in the BIN.

I wonder how many DEATH THREATs the jobcentre get on a weekly basis from the people who they sanction.
hell to tell you a true story, i got banned from the jobcentre for 3months wait for it. heres why maybe you can explain it to me.
I walked into the jobcentre, walked up the stairs, said HI to the security guard and handed him my book, so he could put it on the desk of which ever advisor i was seeing that day. Just as I'm about to sit down my name gets called, I walked over to the chair, now I'm a figeter, i fold and unfold my legs cant seem to get comfortable on their chairs, so this particular day, i sit down on the chair and fold both my arms and legs, and then i wait. The woman gets up and walks away, i thinks to myself to get some papers of whatever, maybe a coffee, any way, next thing i'm still waiting for her to come back, and i get a tap on my shoulder, its the guard, he then says "I've been asked to ask you to leave", so being puzzled i get up and walk out, 3 days later i get a letter from the jobcentre solicitors telling me i'm banned from the jobcentre for 3months for my "Threating and aggressive behaviour" ????? after 5 years i'm still trying to work out what is WRONG with the staff at the HAVANT branch.
NOTE: I didnt say 1 word to the advisor

donnajunkie

andy2004 wrote: »

simple reason i dont, I was told it was MANDATORY not voluntary by my JSA advisor who put me on this program in Dec 2011, well when SHE phoned up and was told in no certain terms they wouldnt be able to see me until late January, in which she turned round to them and said "I thought when I booked someone to see you, you had to see them within a 2 week period. not 4-6weeks or more."
My JSA advisor also didnt give me anything to sign in the first place, or any info on the work program or any pieces of paper to withdrawal from the program.
And i was told that if I didnt go I could lose my benefits upto 2years, and I also wasnt told I could get myself removed from the course. I will be asking at my next signing day. after all the work program currently isn't doing anything to help me.

you cant remove yourself from it if you want to keep getting benefits. you can just withdraw your consent for them to share your info with employers etc.