What to expect from first WRAG interview?

dirtmother

I'm wondering what to expect from my first WRAG interview which is coming up. Is it best to take the approach of just showing up to hear what they say this first time or will presenting a polished CV, list of steps already taken towards work-readiness/job-seeking be advantageous at this point - or should I save that for next time so that they can feel they've required me to do X and I've complied? I am quite concerned about an hour long appointment if I need to be concentrating. (I will have my husband with me)

I have had no response from the DWP to my request for a written explanation of the reasons for placing me in the WRAG (it was based solely on ESA50, they seem to have decided to skip the medical in the end) - so I don't know what they think I can do. It's contributions based ESA and I won't qualify for means tested, so we're talking about less than a year to go anyway at 'best' - but I don't know how hawkish they will be to get rid of me earlier?

As my condition severely limits the hours I can work, I have no realistic prospect of replacing the loss of ESA, so would rather not lose it any earlier than I have to through well intentioned but ultimately damaging paid or voluntary work.

rogerblack

dirtmother wrote: »

I'm wondering what to expect from my first WRAG interview which is coming up. Is it best to take the approach of just showing up to hear what they say this first time

It's an around 15 minute interview to get an idea of if there is any support they can offer you.
In principle, any support offered should be 'reasonable' based on your condition.
You cannot be required to:
Seek work.
Do work.

However, this is where it gets murky, and depends on the person you see.
Do they take one look at you, and send you away, or do they not really believe in your condition, and send you to stack shelves for 8h/day. (This is not technically work).

My experience has been that it was a couple of low pressure 15 minute interviews, after which I was placed on the work programme.

The work programme provider has helped me keep in touch with the world of work, and collected their fee for the extensive training provided in a 3 minute phone call about a year ago now.

As a general point - there seems to be little communication between the two sides of the DWP on this.
The one side assesses your ability for the purpose of giving you or not ESA.
The other is more used to dealing with people on JSA, and has little experience with specific disabilities. The staff are less well trained on general disabilities.
This can be even worse in some work program providers, where there have been reports of claimants being asked to do things that the provider is not legally allowed to ask.
(Apply for work, ...)