Work Related Activity

galante_inc

Hi All

Well I won my appeal in December, then the dreaded brown envelope landed on the door step this morning... not all bad just a letter from the DWP confirming the amount they owe me, and something else about a work related interview..

Can someone explain what these are all about, because its a first for me...seems that even though I won the appeal they still pushing to get me back to work sooner rather an later...

lukieboy96

If you have been placed in the WRAG group then you will have to attend the Work Focused Interview or risk being sanctioned, Support Group do not. Do not worry about the interview, you will not be forced into work. They can offer you advice for volunteering etc. I had my first one about June time.

Torry_Quine

WFIs are supposedly about helping you to be able to go back to work. In my experience it's a complete waste of time.

KxMx

You do have to attend the interview.

You do have to comply with any work related activity your advisor wants you to do, including courses, careers advice, seeing an outside work program provider (also known as workfare) and mandatory voluntary placement work.

I believe you can appeal if you feel the action you are mandated to do is not suitable.
You cannot be forced to apply for paid jobs.

My advisor is nice but is quite open her aim is to get me off benefits and into paid work, albiet slowly. I know this is pie in the sky right now but she doesn't so I have to do what she says.

I already do volunteer work from home and looking for more but that isn't enough for her. This was fine for my previous advisor but he moved

Some people get generally told what support is available then left alone and others get made to do work related activity... it really does vary when you are in the WRAG.

osdset

I've only had one WFI, I wasn't asked any questions, given any advice,or asked to sign anything.
The advisor kept it short by simply stating. 'I'm afraid my hands are tied in that I must refer you to a WP provider, this is mandatory and you will hear from them within the next two weeks'.

And that was it, WFI over.

lukieboy96

I was lucky, my interview went fine. He could see what a state I was in and said it says 'work' but it is not force you but to offer things you could do at some point to support you back into work. He also said I can bring my CPN to the next one too to support me and explain things.

If you are on 'Contribution based' ESA then you only get this for a year. Not sure what you have to do after a year but i am sure someone else on here more clued up will explain it.

KxMx

lukieboy96 wrote: »

If you are on 'Contribution based' ESA then you only get this for a year. Not sure what you have to do after a year but i am sure someone else on here more clued up will explain it.

After that time you have to apply for Income Related ESA. Always best to contact the benefits office that administers your claim ahead of time to get the paperwork and not rely on them to automatically send it.

A working partner or significant savings will usually exclude you from IR ESA. However a claim can be kept open I believe (subject to passing WCA) for NI credits only. You would still be required to attend WFI's and do any work related activity as decided by your advisor.

Torry_Quine

KxMx wrote: »

After that time you have to apply for Income Related ESA. Always best to contact the benefits office that administers your claim ahead of time to get the paperwork and not rely on them to automatically send it.

A working partner or significant savings will usually exclude you from IR ESA. However a claim can be kept open I believe (subject to passing WCA) for NI credits only. You would still be required to attend WFI's and do any work related activity as decided by your advisor.

That's right. I'm just receiving NI credits but still have to go for WFIs. However if at any time you manage to get into the support group then you would start to get money again.

Morlock

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I'm just receiving NI credits but still have to go for WFIs.

If you are entitled to ESA at nil rate and receiving NI contributions only, there is no conditionality or mandation to attend Work Focused Interviews. You cannot be sanctioned for failure to attend a WFI.

"The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2013

Claimants subject to no work-related requirements

47. (1) A claimant falls within section 11D of the Act (persons subject to no work-related requirements) if they are a claimant who—"

"(e)is entitled to an employment and support allowance which is payable at a nil rate;"

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/379/regulation/47/made

Or to put in more simply:

"There are certain claimants who cannot have work-related requirements imposed on them.

The Secretary of State may not impose a work-related requirement on claimants who"

"8. are entitled to ESA payable at nil rate"

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246480/Chapter_U4_-_ESA_claimant_responsibilities_-_work-related_requirement_groups.pdf