Kept on: ESA work-related activity group APPEAL?

nannytone_2

it amazes me how differently people get treated!
i was in the WRAG for over 2 years and had 3 WFI's in the first 6 months of my claim. i didnt receive any more appointments.
then i was moved to the support gtoup in January of this year without even completing an ESA and no medical.
i hadnt even asked them to switch me, and i only found out because i received a letter from the council stating a change of circumstances for HB.
it said ' because you receive the support element of ESA'....
i phoned DWP and they confirmed it.
i still havent had a letter though....

KxMx

lukieboy96 wrote: »

I didn't think it was DWP but Job centre who you had to see for WRAG. They do not pressure you to look for work they just want to know what is going on for you. I have had 3 WFI and they were fine.

I think also you have been lucky, and agree with nanny that the WRAG is very inconsistently applied.

My first WFI's were fine too, but my advisor has told me recently the rules have been tightened up to be more work focused, and seeing people as often as every two weeks. I myself have had attendance doubled to monthly from every other and the tone of the meetings is much changed.

Indie_Kid

Torry_Quine wrote: »

The job centre is run by the DWP though so the comment is perfectly right.

You were fortunate with your WFIs. Mine have been awful and I've been told that unless I am under specialist care (there isn't one) or undergoing some form of course then I will be sanctioned!! Trying to explain that it's not possible was like speaking to a brick wall. I only get NI credits anyway so I'm not going to put myself under pressure to satisfy them.

I didn't think they could do that? Are you even treatable? Most of us aren't.

osdset

Only ever had one WFI and that was two years ago, was referred to the Work Programme immediately, JCP later backtracked on that by saying my circumstances had changed (complete cobblers) and I had been given a 24 month award (more cobblers, I had been awarded 24 months from the date the DWP accepted the appeal win). Eventually got myself out of the clutches of the Work programme.
Anyway still on WRAG and the deadline for the ATOS reassessment came and went at the beginning of the month, yeah the DWP treat everyone differently. There is no consistency whatsoever.

rogerblack

If you have been mandated to the work program, and completed it - you cannot currently be mandated to it again.

seven-day-weekend

What actually happens at work-focussed interviews and why do people not want to go on them?

osdset

rogerblack wrote: »

If you have been mandated to the work program, and completed it - you cannot currently be mandated to it again.

I never engaged with the WP as it was proven that I should never have been mandated in the first place, it just took nearly two years to get this through to the provider (Seetec).

osdset

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

What actually happens at work-focussed interviews and why do people not want to go on them?

Referral to the Work Programme, who don't seem to know the difference between ESA and JSA.

Torry_Quine

Indie_Kid wrote: »

I didn't think they could do that? Are you even treatable? Most of us aren't.

No there is no treatment and I said that to the ' advisor' who wasn't interested.

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

What actually happens at work-focussed interviews and why do people not want to go on them?

In my experience it's a chance to be bullied by someone with no understanding of my health issues. They are just awful experiences for me and leave me very upset and anxious.

osdset wrote: »

Referral to the Work Programme, who don't seem to know the difference between ESA and JSA.

Have never been referred to the work programme myself.

nannytone_2

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

What actually happens at work-focussed interviews and why do people not want to go on them?

i was more than happy to attend WFI's. i even thought ( wrongly) that they may be able to help me back into work.
WFI's 1 and 2... saw a very nice man who talked about my interests and what work id be interested in. i said id give anything a try. he said ... ive no idea what to do with you. go and have a think what you'd like to do and come back in 2 minths.
WFI 3. exactly the same as above but saw a very nice woman instead. she said theyd post another appointment to me which never materialised.