ESA Work Programme Ingeus

allison445

Looking for some advice I will try and keep this short.
I was placed in the wrag in Feb 2016 all was going as well as could be expected I was attending the job center every other month to see an adviser.
At the beginning of this month I received my P45 when I saw the job center adviser last Friday I told him I had received this.
He told me that due to this he had no options but to refer me to an outside agency.
He explained what this would mean and advise me he would recommend to them telephone interviews as no way am I ready to return to work and they would work around my health issues.
Today I have received a letter from Ingeus to attend an appointment next week.
I suffer from chronic migraine with severe vertigo and have severe problems with noise movement and light this also affects my balance for those who believe this is just a headache
its not.
My problem is there office is in the town center if this isn't bad enough there office is on the 3rd floor by the time I get there I will be a mess.
What would happen if I just ended my esa claim ?

paragon909

allison445 wrote: »

Looking for some advice I will try and keep this short.
I was placed in the wrag in Feb 2016 all was going as well as could be expected I was attending the job center every other month to see an adviser.
At the beginning of this month I received my P45 when I saw the job center adviser last Friday I told him I had received this.
He told me that due to this he had no options but to refer me to an outside agency.
He explained what this would mean and advise me he would recommend to them telephone interviews as no way am I ready to return to work and they would work around my health issues.
Today I have received a letter from Ingeus to attend an appointment next week.
I suffer from chronic migraine with severe vertigo and have severe problems with noise movement and light this also affects my balance for those who believe this is just a headache
its not.
My problem is there office is in the town center if this isn't bad enough there office is on the 3rd floor by the time I get there I will be a mess.
What would happen if I just ended my esa claim ?

If you ended your ESA claim you would have no money? How do you planning on living or surviving if you don't claim ESA?

pmlindyloo

allison445 wrote: »

Looking for some advice I will try and keep this short.
I was placed in the wrag in Feb 2016 all was going as well as could be expected I was attending the job center every other month to see an adviser.
At the beginning of this month I received my P45 when I saw the job center adviser last Friday I told him I had received this.
He told me that due to this he had no options but to refer me to an outside agency.
He explained what this would mean and advise me he would recommend to them telephone interviews as no way am I ready to return to work and they would work around my health issues.
Today I have received a letter from Ingeus to attend an appointment next week.
I suffer from chronic migraine with severe vertigo and have severe problems with noise movement and light this also affects my balance for those who believe this is just a headache
its not.
My problem is there office is in the town center if this isn't bad enough there office is on the 3rd floor by the time I get there I will be a mess.
What would happen if I just ended my esa claim ?

You can end your ESA claim if you want to and do not need the money.

Are you on contribution based ESA or income based?

If you are claiming child benefit for a child under 12 then you would be receiving NI credits which would go towards your state pension. So if this is the case and you have sufficient income/savings to live on then you do not have to claim.

If you need ESA for income/NI contributions then you could ring the provider and ask if there are alternatives to attending the interview (telephone interview for example) and see what they say.

allison445

I am on income based esa although I worked full time it was 2 part time jobs so I did not qualify for contribution based,
I've checked on the hmrc web site and I have already paid enough Ni contributions to receive the full pension.
I don't receive the full amount as I have savings this is what I would live on I am also waiting on an inheritance although this could take another year to happen.
I don't need much to live on my savings should keep me going for at least a year.

Alice_Holt

There are a couple of suggestions I would offer:

1) Write to the work provider explaining why attending an appointment would be difficult for you, and request a telephone interview . Enclose supporting medical evidence. Send a copy to the Job Centre adviser. Keep a copy yourself. In the event of a sanction for non-attendence, then this letter would provide your "good reason".
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/while-youre-getting-esa/esa-sanctions/

2) Should you be re-assessed into the Support Group, does your health condition place you at risk when undergoing WRAG activities?
see: http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/making-exception Section on Regulation 35.

allison445

I've spoken to Ingeus and tried to explain my situation
They said no to the telephone interview
No to paying for a taxi
They won't be able to provide a private room for interview.
The appointments is at 14.30 so the town will be busy I also have a 5 year old who I will need to find child care for and someone to take me to the appointment as I don't go out alone.
Just wish I could remember all the things the adviser at the job center had told me but my minds a blank,
I'm sure he said I wouldn't see him again but I've received an appointment to see him again next week.
I should have appealed to be put in the support group but as I still had a job at that point I didn't want to do anything that would jeopardize that.

Alice_Holt

allison445 wrote: »

I've spoken to Ingeus and tried to explain my situation
They said no to the telephone interview
No to paying for a taxi
They won't be able to provide a private room for interview.
The appointments is at 14.30 so the town will be busy I also have a 5 year old who I will need to find child care for and someone to take me to the ......

That is exactly why you need to put your request in writing and copy DWP and keep a copy.

If, you can't get to the appointment you need to prepare yourself to challenge any sanctions, and give yourself the best chance of your sanction appeal succeeding

Alice_Holt

allison445 wrote: »

I should have appealed to be put in the support group.

When your ESa renewal form arrives-

Contact your local CAB for help to renew, and then (with their help) appeal (if necessary) to get into the Support Group;
Make sure your renewal ESa 50 fully explains why participating in the WRAG causes a significant risk to your health,
Get the support of your GP, so you can provide medical evidence. At the least make sure s/he knows your current stituation.

Are you getting PIP?
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test
If not get help from your local CAB to apply.

allison445

Thanks Alice I have decided to try and attend the appointment if I try and don't manage then at least I know I tried.
I did the pip test and it would seem I qualify but to be honest I would rather try to manage with out relying on benefits.
I was maybe a bit stupid hoping that I would be back at work and my condition would only be short term. I'm now looking at the wider picture and just trying to manage some semblance of a life with the hand I've been dealt I need all my energy for this without having to deal with the dwp and jumping through hoops.
I feel lucky I actually have a choice I know a lot of people don't.

Alice_Holt

Do remember that PIP is paid to offset the additional costs of a disability / illness.

It is not taxed or means tested.

It would help you with the costs of taxis / aids etc.

I recall that even David Cameron claimed DLA for his child.

allison445

Wanted to update this for anyone who is attending there first interview with Ingeus.
The Ingeus my appointment was with was Glasgow city center.
I arrived at 14.20 my appointment was for 14.30
I eventually got seen at 14.55 wasn't too fussed as it gave me time to recover from the trip.
The adviser toke some details about my condition.
Its kind of like a happy happy camp.
Look on the positives and I quote at least I'm not dying.
Appointments will be weekly and I must attend workshops the adviser things confidence building would be great for me another quote by the end I should be happy making a bus journey all by myself.
Asked about my expenses getting there I told her it was just the parking costs her face lit up and she said that's great you manage to drive no I didn't my license was taken away due to my health condition.
I was then handed £5 which I never asked for.
I did manage to get a private room unfortunately it was surrounded by windows with no coverings .
I really can't give them anything less than 10 out of 10 for effort and 10 out of 10 for ignorance they really don't have a clue about medical conditions and how they effect people.