Benefits help, should I swap from ESA to Income Support??

rogerblack

dave030445 wrote: »

Is it still only 6 WFI you have to attend. It was when i had to do it but that was 3 years ago. Alot changes in the benefits world in 3 years.

It depends.
In some cases the WFIs are held over the phone.
You may be referred to the work program.

If referred to the work program, your contact may be minimal (I think I got two calls totalling 3 minutes in 2 years), or if the provider believes it to be reasonable, they may require you to go on courses, or even do work-like-activity that's indistinguishable from work other than you don't get paid.
There are few hard and fast rules.

KxMx

Yes, WRAG is very inconsistently applied.

I have my WFI's with a Job Centre advisor and am not under a work programme provider.

Recent rule changes mean the target is fortnightly WFI's "for some people" although my advisor says this is unrealistic. My attendance was increased to monthly from bi monthly and everything is much more work focused now.

kitty_kitty

well I have just finished the work programme which wasn't a problem as for two years I attended twice and was called once a month for telephone interview from then on. This is what they are saying to me now I have been referred back to jobcentre.

LL30

I'm also considering this kitty. Slightly different as my daughter is 4, and I believe that there are new rules (similar to WRAG rules) when your child turns 3 when on IS now. The Job Centre have told me that I would not be put on the work program as my child is under 5 whilst I'm on ESA, apparently I'm not in their priority group. It is more the thought of another medical which worries me. My advisor stated I'm due for another in October, and I just don't think I can cope with much more, having just gone through PIP.

I think I may be entitled to disability premiums on IS as I get standard PIP for both elements. And once I've finished my Masters (Jan) I wouldn't mind attending WFIs etc as I'll be in a position to be able to do so. I guess I'm scared of jumping out the frying pan and into the fire! It'd only be temporary until I secure employment, but I appreciate that as I have limitations, it may take me a little while to secure something appropriate.

Does anyone have the info on the new rules for IS? I had a quick look but all I could establish was that a lot of conflicting info was being given out by advisors at the JCP.

Horseunderwater

So far as I'm aware you get IS till a childs 5th birthday & then you need to change over to JSA at that point. There might be a WFI at some point during 1st year, but it is to get an idea of what your situation is & if there may be any courses you'd need to take to help you get a job in the future. Then you only need to do a min 16 hrs work while child is age 5-12 after which it goes up in hours.