ESA - after Work Programme

Murphybear

Apologies if this has been discussed before but there are over 50,000 threads and 500,000 replies on the Benefits forum!

I am on ESA WRAG and just finished my 2 years on the Work Programme. Most of this consisted of a few chatty meetings and in the second year an occasional phone call.

What happens to people on ESA WRAG after the Work Programme. My ESA claim will finish next March anyway when I become eligible for State Pension.

KxMx

I imagine you will be called back to JCP to see your advisor.

rogerblack

Which may (as in my case) result in a yearly letter to contact them at such-and-such a time for a phone 'work focussed interview'.

Or, it may be something much more intensive, it's solely at their discretion.

A.Penny.Saved

I am in a similar position. I was on the work program, got put in the support group by a tribunal and my work program 2 years came up. I received a phone call from the job centre telling me that my work program had ended and that they wanted to see me. I have not yet been, they gave me 2 months until they wanted to see me. On the phone the lady kept saying that I was not being forced to find work which I think they have to say to comply with the regulations. As I said, I am in the support group and they are still expecting to see me!

Scotsman-5

Murphybear wrote: »

Apologies if this has been discussed before but there are over 50,000 threads and 500,000 replies on the Benefits forum!

I am on ESA WRAG and just finished my 2 years on the Work Programme. Most of this consisted of a few chatty meetings and in the second year an occasional phone call.

What happens to people on ESA WRAG after the Work Programme. My ESA claim will finish next March anyway when I become eligible for State Pension.

I am on ESA WRAG and 1 1/2 years into the Work Programme I was sent to ATOS a few weeks later I got a call from the DWP saying the decision maker had agreed with ATOS and I would continue on ESA and ' oh by the way - we have started you on a new two year Work Programme ' - I did ask for them to write to me but it took three calls before I got a very brief letter.

So I have now been on the Work Programme for 2 1/2 years - nothing changed from Work Programme #l and Work Programme #2 - its the same provider - every so often they write to me - ' we will call you up on such and such a date for a telephone review ' but they don't call - I used to phone them up but was told ' your provider advisor is off sick ' - now I just don't bother.

I reckon age has a factor here as I will be 61 this year and I expect there may be a Work Programme #3 in 1 1/2 years.

the ball is in their court and you may never see your DWP Advisor again - just relax and enjoy your retirement { your at the end of the tunnel } - In my case as soon as the DWP Advisor placed me into the Work Programme I have never heard from her again.

I cant be the only person in the UK who has had a Work Programme extended. { even although they claim its a new contract - its just the same thing }

Murphybear

Sounds like it's a how long is a piece of string question!

I was supposed to see JC + this afternoon but life being what it is I woke up feeling like **** and when I contacted them and said I wasn't well they said "will you be better this afternoon?" No said I, it's a flare up of one of the conditions that put me on ESA in the first place, last time it took 3 weeks before I could go out. Awaiting callback now, could be a long day.

Murphybear

I have to share this with you

Phoned number on JC+ letter, got put through to call centre in Middlesbrough. They took details but said I would need to talk to someone else and they would give me a callback

Callback came through in half an hour but this was from Wrong Dept, they were the benefit centre, took details and said she would put me through to local Job Centre

Got cut off

Rang back, did apologise but said I would have to ring another 0845 number and they would put me through to local JC

I rang them and got through to a number in Lincoln. They said they would not be able to put me through as they did not do that any more. They took details again and composed a memo to local JC and said they would give me a callback

Got a callback from local JC, they had no record of my appointment! Said they would call me back this afternoon

You couldn't make this up!

I am now going to take some strong painkillers with a nice cup of tea and lie down in a darkened room

Must say, all the people I spoke to all round the country were really nice and helpful, it's the system that's at fault.

lukieboy96

If you are in the Support Group you do not have to attend. Phone them and tell them you are in the support group, this is what my friend did.

Murphybear

I spoke to my advisor on the phone. He said someone at one of the call centres had cancelled the appointment electronically.

Another appointment in a month.

Intriguing idea about telling them I am in he support group but surely they would know I am not?

lukieboy96

No, I wasn't telling you to say you are in support group if you are in WRAG. I was commenting on another person who said they were in Support Group. People in WRAG have to go to WFI's BUT are not forced into work. Sorry for confusing you.

lukieboy96

A.Penny.Saved. Couldn't post on what you wrote. Just to say Support Group is different to WRAG. You do not have to attend the job centre. My friend phoned them and told them she was in SUPPORT and they have left her alone now.