Problems with work focused interviews

Murphymycat

Hi all

I have been on ESA in WRAG group for about 6 months and have attended 2 work focused interviews and another 3 phone calls

I have had another letter asking me to attend another (with no notice as usual even though the rules say they are supposed to give a week).

This letter said I was having an interview with 2 people for 90 minutes. I phoned up to find to find out more information and was stunned to find out they were asking everybody to attend weekly one to ones so they could look for work. I said I understood that anyone in WRAG was not obliged to look for work and he hummed and haed (is that a word) and said they were done on an individual basis.

I don't mind going to the WFIs but asking people to go once a week is surely too much?

I know some of you are very familiar with the rules and regs so can someone advise on where I can find out more

Many thanks

rogerblack

You cannot be forced to undergo medical treatment, to apply for normal paid work or to do normal paid work.

However.
Pretty much anything else is possible, with limited rights to appeal.

Everything up to and including fulltime unpaid work, lasting forever, if it's thought 'reasonable'.
(This is unlikely, simply for funding reasons).

Have you been placed on the work programme, and this is with an external provider, or is this internal to JCP?

benefitbaby

Murphymycat wrote: »

I phoned up to find to find out more information and was stunned to find out they were asking everybody to attend weekly one to ones so they could look for work. I said I understood that anyone in WRAG was not obliged to look for work and he hummed and haed (is that a word) and said they were done on an individual basis.

As a recipient of ESA in the WRAG JCP cannot require you to look for work, undertake work or even volunteer. They can ask you attend as frequently as they feel reasonable to achieve the 'action plans' agreed at your WFIs or to undertake work-related activity. You should be given/sent your action plan which is supposed to be tailored to your needs and future goals for employment.

If this is having a detrimental impact on your health you should raise this and if you have a helpful GP they may be willing to confirm this in writing which you should provide to the disability employment adviser.

Ultimately you could submit a complaint and/or involve your MP because weekly WFIs seem daft given that you would have no time to work on your 'action plan'.