Esa

Gaz1971

So do you go to the same work program people you went to before?

nannytone_2

you won't necessarily be put on the work programme.
it is up to the disability advisor ( unless you can provide evidence to the fact that it would be detrimental to your health)
it is the same provider, but they are supposed to be less 'forceful' with ESA claimants and only ask them to do reasonable things

Gaz1971

Christ, I just wasted 2 yrs of my life on the WP, no wonder I suffer from depression!

tomtontom

Gaz1971 wrote: »

Christ, I just wasted 2 yrs of my life on the WP, no wonder I suffer from depression!

If you didn't find the WP helpful, perhaps you could think about what type of work might suit your condition, what help you might need to get/ do that work? Most people find work by helping themselves, not looking to others to do it for them.

Keep in mind that you may not be able to stay on ESA long term, in some areas people are being assessed within thirteen weeks - you could be back on JSA quite quickly.

Gaz1971

I have a progressive back condition, its not going to get any better, in fact, if I keep overdoing it and causing it to flare up, its going to get worse.

Poppie68

Sciatica isn't progressive as it's not a diagnosis, it's a symptom of an underlying problem in the lower back. Sciatica is a fluctuating problem which can be controlled tosome extent by the correct medication. When you attend the WP you need to request suitable seating and discuss with your advisor beforehand the absolute need of regular breaks to stretch your legs.

Gaz1971

I do manage it to prevent major flare ups, but the amount I can do has decreased over the years.

nannytone_2

unless you meet any of the support group descriptors ( with medical evidence to back it up) the best you can hope for is to be put in the WRAG.
i am afraid that to receive the benefit you have to comply with the rules

Gaz1971

What Im saying is I'm capable of working, just not full time, as I have to manage my condition so I don't cause it to flare up. JSA is inflexible, they modify your JSA to take into account your health, but ignore all that for the mandatory training courses. Im looking to change so I can continue to look for a part time job thats suitable for me, without the constant pressure to do stuff I cant do.

nannytone_2

the problem is that they can't run courses to suit individual claimants needs.
if you can prove that doing a course is detrimental to your health, then you can refuse.
have you considered doing a course at your local college?
a friend of mine does quite a lot and they are never any longer than 2 1/2 hours in any one day