Asked to attend work focused interview but I get LCWRA

apricotgirl

Hi, I’ve been getting lcwra for a couple of years but I’ve just had a message to attend a work focused interview in a couple of weeks. “This is to discuss what you’ve done to increase your chances of getting work or earning more. We’ll agree the next steps and talk about any other support you may need.”
This has come out of the blue as there have been no changes to my circumstances. Is this a mistake? I’m not really sure how to reply to this message and would be grateful for any help.
Thank you

Rubyroobs

Yes it sounds like a mistake. you can reply via your journal, there should be on the option on the main body of the journal to send a message to the work coach.

apricotgirl

Thank you Ruby, yes I can reply on my journal but I don’t know what to say. I know that sounds daft but I don’t know how to phrase it and not sound rude by asking if it’s a mistake 

Muttleythefrog

I would send message to work coach saying something like

"I am confused by the requirement to attend a Work Focussed Interview as I have LCWRA and so understand I am not required to engage such or seek work - can you clarify?"

I would quickly check your claimant commitments to make sure they're correctly set for LCWRA
... From your account - Home - Work plan and commitments - your commitments

should say "

• complete all activities in my to-do list
• report changes to my circumstances promptly, including changes to work"

TimeLord1

Is it a telephone appointment? So you're on UC. LCWRA is all your payments via UC, or do you also receive New Style ESA? How long have you been on UC, two years max?

It could be part of the push to offer people the chance to help them back into employment; this is meant to have already started. 

apricotgirl

Thank you Muttley, that’s very helpful. I checked my claimant commitments and they are exactly what you have texted they should say. As well as getting the journal message, it’s also now posted in my to do list to attend this interview.
Last week, on my journal I got a general message which said something like ‘ this my not apply to everyone but some people are entitled to extra help to get back into the workplace with one to one coaching. If anyone is interested, please reply via journal’. I didn’t reply, but wonder if it’s connected?

apricotgirl

TimeLord1 said:

Is it a telephone appointment? So you're on UC. LCWRA is all your payments via UC, or do you also receive New Style ESA? How long have you been on UC, two years max?

It could be part of the push to offer people the chance to help them back into employment; this is meant to have already started. 

Hi Timelord, yes it’s a telephone appointment. I get UC and LCWRA, don’t get new style ESA. Close to 3 years I’ve been claiming 

Muttleythefrog

Ah I suspect it is connected although you didn't reply to say you were interested... as above it may be part of their 'push' to help sick/disabled people into work

TimeLord1

It will probably be to see if they can offer you any help in getting back to work. Remember, without an assessment, your status cannot be changed by an advisor, so it will be up to you to say' I am unable to do any work-related activity because of your condition, etc. So just be sure what they're asking you to agree to, check your current UC commitments, and tell them to refer to previous Work capability assessment outcome. I would imagine there will be a lot of this for certain groups.

TimeLord1

You will probably get a letter also confirming the local job centre appointment with whoever it's with on the UC journal message.

apricotgirl

Can I (politely) refuse to attend ? Just seems a waste of time and more added stress. Maybe I Should ask if it’s voluntary. The thought of having to explain to ‘Rob’ an agent, all my many health problems including very personal bladder ones doesn’t seem right. Like you say - please refer to my previous WCA outcomes