Requirements of ESA WRAG

rosiee

Hi, been looking on the site re what is required by some one on ESA WRAG, and getting a bit confused. I know you have to attend work related interviews but do you actually have to apply for jobs and take part in work experience. surely the whole point of esa is that you're not able to work at the moment.

Is there an offical link I can look at on this, there seems to be lot of different views. Or maybe that because to rules are changng.

thanks

richard9991

11. The work-related activity group

If it is decided that you do not have a limited capability for work-related activity, you will be placed in the work-related activity group of claimants. You will have to adhere to strict work-related conditions in order to continue receiving the benefit in full. This may involve attending further work-focused interviews in addition to the initial work-focused interview.
These interviews will normally take place each month and at them the personal adviser will try to help you back into work. The adviser will draw up an ‘action plan’, which will outline the activities that you could undertake to help you move into work.
You cannot be required, as part of a work related activity, to apply for a job, undertake paid work or voluntary work or undergo medical treatment.
You will also not be required to take part in work related activity if:

• you are in the ESA support group
• you are a lone parent and you have a child under the age of 5
• you receive carers allowance or a carer’s premium

If you are a lone parent and you have a child under the age of 5 or you receive carers allowance you will still have to attend an initial work focused interview (see paragraph 7).
If you are a lone parent with a child under the age of 13 you may only be required to undertake work related activity during the child’s normal school hours.
Since 3 December 2012 you can be referred to a Community Benefit Work placement as a mandatory work related activity. You may be referred if your work capability assessment has a review date of 12 months. For more information on Community Benefit Work see Annex 2 of the Mandatory Work Activity Provider Guidance at www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/pg-part-p.pdf. You can also view theWork Programme Provider Guidance at http://!!!!!!!.com/84s3no8.

rosiee

So although ESA WRAG people are not made to apply for jobs or work paid or other wise they can be made to attend work experience? think thats were I get confused. Do have some concerns at being forced to work when unwell, I would assume it can be very part time if necessary?

richard9991

rosiee wrote: »

So although ESA WRAG people are not made to apply for jobs or work paid or other wise they can be made to attend work experience? think thats were I get confused. Do have some concerns at being forced to work when unwell, I would assume it can be very part time if necessary?

you do not have to apply for paid work or voluntary.But you have to do work related activities like prepare a cv

rosiee

Sorry I'm a bit dense today. So whats a community benefit work placement, sounds like voluntary work experience. Do want to get back to work but I know I'm going to have to take things very slowly and I've read a lot of horror stories about having to apply for 50 jobs a week and being made to do work (albeit under the guise of work experience).

I'm hoping they'll let me do some very part time study, then a little bit of work experience in that area as my health allows.

Again sorry a bit dense

rogerblack

rosiee wrote: »

Sorry I'm a bit dense today. So whats a community benefit work placement, sounds like voluntary work experience

The basic difference that the claimant will see is that you can be compelled to do a work placement.
You cannot be with work experience.

And in principle, a work placement can last forever.

However.
All work placements, or other activities muse be 'reasonable', and appropriate to your condition.

Over 5/6ths of sanctions recommended to the DWP because claimants are not complying with the ESA work-related-activities are overturned on reconsideration.

BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT HOW YOU DEAL WITH THIS!

Failure to participate in work related activity - including work placements - can lead to lengthy sanctions of your benefit.
This can now be the whole 'basic' amount - £71 less per week.
You can then apply for hardship payments - but these may not be granted, or may take some time to get through.

If you are given a direction that you don't think you can do, it's vital to ask the person giving that direction to reconsider.
Ideally with evidence why it's inappropriate.
If they do not reconsider, then you must try to do the activity, or...

If you cannot do the activity, then you may be sanctioned - you then have 7 (?) days to suppply 'good cause' - a reason why you can't do the activity.
If this is accepted - great.
Otherwise, you may be sanctioned for a considerable time.
You can ask for the decision to sanction you to be reconsidered. (this is likely to take several weeks)
If it is not, then you can appeal this decision. (This is likely to take over 6 months).

Send all documentation with some proof of posting, and keep copies.
Make a note of date and times and what you discussed over the phone - ideally record it.