Job Centre forcing people into work?

Jack_bauer24

Most of you aware that I am on WCA (Work Capability Assessment) regarding my mental health due to depression and anxiety, but this user on Digital Spy forum has stated that Job Centre are trying to get people off benefits by June, is this correct? this has got me worried now because I am not in the right frame of mind for working yet. I also got a telephone appointment with my work coach on 7th March for (Work Focused Interview) - but I have left a message on my journal asking why they need to ring me as they know I am on the WCA phases so it's pointless them ringing me as my mental health isn't going to get better by then. 

How can Job Centre force people into work who are ill or suffering from mental health? it's madness. I have attached the link for that Digital Spy forum, please see post 16. 

https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2424845/job-centres#latest

Jillanddy

Within reason, I sincerely hope that Job Centres are trying to get people off benefits, since that is their job. I am also hoping that they do it all the time, and not just for June.

I have no idea about your personal circumstances, but my understanding of the work focussed interviews is to enable them to discuss your circumstances, what (if anything) you might be able to do to move towards employment, and what support might be available. That isn't really the same thing as "forcing people who are ill into work". If you are not able to work, and not able to do anything at all to improve your position in moving towards work, and there is no support that would help you do so, then you just need to discuss that with them, surely?

elsien

I agree with Jillanddy. 

I also do not work for the DWP, or hate benefit claimants (having been one myself) and suspect that your anxiety may be causing you to read more  into comments than is actually there.

Your digital spy person appears to have completely the wrong end of the stick. 

The DWP aim is to move people off benefits and into work, where they are fit bit unemployed, or have been unwell but are now well enough to do so. That has always been the case, nothing has changed in that respect. if you’re not well enough then you go into the relevant group. 

No idea where they’ve got the June deadline from. 

The_Fat_Controller

Maybe best not to read too many internet forums where people speculate rather than state facts.

Get the info from the horse's mouth and lessen your stress.

TELLIT01

elsien said:

I agree with Jillanddy. 

I also do not work for the DWP, or hate benefit claimants (having been one myself) and suspect that your anxiety may be causing you to read more  into comments than is actually there.

Your digital spy person appears to have completely the wrong end of the stick. 

The DWP aim is to move people off benefits and into work, where they are fit bit unemployed, or have been unwell but are now well enough to do so. That has always been the case, nothing has changed in that respect. if you’re not well enough then you go into the relevant group. 

No idea where they’ve got the June deadline from. 

Exactly that.  There are people out there who are perfectly capable of working but would prefer not to and get by on the benefits available to them.  I would stress there are an awful lot more who are capable of working and are desperate to get a job.

As I understand things, the period allowed for people to find work in their preferred areas of expertise is being reduced.  After this point, they will be expected to take on any suitable job.

mcpitman

I also hope that DWP are trying to get benefits claimants back to work. The benefits are temporary as per design.

What I don't like is when claimants expect the benefits payments and are horrified when the hand the feeds them, clothes them and houses them dares to check the circumstances of the ongoing claim.

Funnily enough when you ask for help, the person helping is allowed to ask "Why?".

That said, correctly diagnosed illnesses should be cared for and assessed regularly. I have no objection to helping people with benefits, just the incredulous "how dare they" attitude, really, really winds me up.

antonic

Jack_bauer24 said:

Most of you aware that I am on WCA (Work Capability Assessment) regarding my mental health due to depression and anxiety, but this user on Digital Spy forum has stated that Job Centre are trying to get people off benefits by June, is this correct? this has got me worried now because I am not in the right frame of mind for working yet. I also got a telephone appointment with my work coach on 7th March for (Work Focused Interview) - but I have left a message on my journal asking why they need to ring me as they know I am on the WCA phases so it's pointless them ringing me as my mental health isn't going to get better by then. 

How can Job Centre force people into work who are ill or suffering from mental health? it's madness. I have attached the link for that Digital Spy forum, please see post 16. 

https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2424845/job-centres#latest

I don`t know your personal circumstances and I am hope that the DWP are treating you correctly, but as others have said the job of the DWP is to support everyone who needs support and to assist people in getting back to work (if they are suitable for employment).
The DWP should also be checking and "encouraging" those who don`t have a valid reason not to work back to work.