On Long-Term Fit Note, Awaiting WCA Assessment but Asked to Join Restart Scheme UC

Cefalu24

I have been on UC for six months and have a fit note until the end of September due to a long-term mental health condition. At the beginning of this month, I attended both a 'work coach support – health' appointment and a 'work search review.' At these meetings, it was agreed that I do not need to look for work and could continue with the couple of hours I am currently doing. Also, I have submitted a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) form and am waiting for my assessment, which they have taken into consideration.

They scheduled a follow-up work search review for September. However, today I received an invite to attend another 'work search review' this week, specifically "to consider your suitability for the Restart scheme to see if it is the right support for you, (which you may now be eligible for due to receiving Universal Credit for 6 months or more)."
 

Why do they suddenly want me to attend a work search review to discuss the Restart scheme, when only a few weeks ago, after attending two meetings, I was told that I do not need to look for work?

NedS

Cefalu24 said:

I have been on UC for six months and have a fit note until the end of September due to a long-term mental health condition. At the beginning of this month, I attended both a 'work coach support – health' appointment and a 'work search review.' At these meetings, it was agreed that I do not need to look for work and could continue with the couple of hours I am currently doing. I have submitted a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) form and am waiting for my assessment.

They scheduled a follow-up work search review for September. However, today I received an invite to attend another 'work search review' this week, specifically "to consider your suitability for the Restart scheme to see if it is the right support for you, (which you may now be eligible for due to receiving Universal Credit for 6 months or more)."
 

What does this mean, and how is this even fair? Thank you.

I'm not sure I understand your question? How is it fair that you are being offered support? How is it fair that you are only now being offered this support having had to wait 6 months to become eligible? Or did you mean something else?

rosewalk

I think that you need to confirm what advice you are seeking. Do you want to go on to a Restart scheme? Are you working at the moment ? 

Cefalu24

NedS said:

Cefalu24 said:

I have been on UC for six months and have a fit note until the end of September due to a long-term mental health condition. At the beginning of this month, I attended both a 'work coach support – health' appointment and a 'work search review.' At these meetings, it was agreed that I do not need to look for work and could continue with the couple of hours I am currently doing. I have submitted a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) form and am waiting for my assessment.

They scheduled a follow-up work search review for September. However, today I received an invite to attend another 'work search review' this week, specifically "to consider your suitability for the Restart scheme to see if it is the right support for you, (which you may now be eligible for due to receiving Universal Credit for 6 months or more)."
 

What does this mean, and how is this even fair? Thank you.

I'm not sure I understand your question? How is it fair that you are being offered support? How is it fair that you are only now being offered this support having had to wait 6 months to become eligible? Or did you mean something else?

Sorry if I wasn't clear and thank you for your response. How is it fair to ask me to join the Restart scheme when, only a few weeks ago, I was told I did not need to look for work because of my health condition, yet now you want me to do so?

NedS

Cefalu24 said:

NedS said:

Cefalu24 said:

I have been on UC for six months and have a fit note until the end of September due to a long-term mental health condition. At the beginning of this month, I attended both a 'work coach support – health' appointment and a 'work search review.' At these meetings, it was agreed that I do not need to look for work and could continue with the couple of hours I am currently doing. I have submitted a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) form and am waiting for my assessment.

They scheduled a follow-up work search review for September. However, today I received an invite to attend another 'work search review' this week, specifically "to consider your suitability for the Restart scheme to see if it is the right support for you, (which you may now be eligible for due to receiving Universal Credit for 6 months or more)."
 

What does this mean, and how is this even fair? Thank you.

I'm not sure I understand your question? How is it fair that you are being offered support? How is it fair that you are only now being offered this support having had to wait 6 months to become eligible? Or did you mean something else?

Sorry if I wasn't clear and thank you for your response. How is it fair to ask me to join the Restart scheme when, only a few weeks ago, I was told I did not need to look for work because of my health condition, yet now you want me to do so?

Well, presumably your long term goal is to be healthy and working? How do you intend to reach that point and what support do you require to get there? Talking with your work coach about the support available and deciding if this particular support is right for you seems reasonable and not unfair. To be clear, they are not asking you to look for work right now, they are asking if you would like support to help move in that general direction, as hopefully at some point your mental health will improve to the point you are able to work, and will most likely improve quicker if you are taking positive steps to move forward in life. You will be required to engage in some shape or form if you wish to claim means-tested benefits, so best to have that conversation openly and constructively to find some form of engagement that is actually beneficial to you rather than the alternative. 

I agree it's unfair that this support was not available to you on day one of your benefit claim, as this may have helped you to move back towards work quicker, but that's just the way they structure that particular support scheme I'm afraid.

Rubyroobs

I have a client in a similar situation. Sent in a UC50 earlier this year, waiting for an assessment then did a couple of weeks of very light work and they insisted on another UC50 being complete. Still waiting for an assessment but had a phone call to attend the restart scheme but did then agree to put it back until Sept/ Oct time.
I think it's just a new scheme that they are keen to get people engaged with.

HillStreetBlues

My issue is they are putting the cart before the horse, The outcome of the WCA should be used as the basis of what courses a person might or might not be up too. Will the Restart team that you meet have a mental health expect training up, or will it be people who have no idea of what issues a person might have.

Cefalu24

Rubyroobs said:

I have a client in a similar situation. Sent in a UC50 earlier this year, waiting for an assessment then did a couple of weeks of very light work and they insisted on another UC50 being complete. Still waiting for an assessment but had a phone call to attend the restart scheme but did then agree to put it back until Sept/ Oct time.
I think it's just a new scheme that they are keen to get people engaged with.

Thank you! This is really helpful to know. 

Cefalu24

HillStreetBlues said:

My issue is they are putting the cart before the horse, The outcome of the WCA should be used as the basis of what courses a person might or might not be up too. Will the Restart team that you meet have a mental health expect training up, or will it be people who have no idea of what issues a person might have.

Thank you, you are right, it feels that way. 

TheShape

OP, what does you current Claimant Commitment require you to do?

What is recorded in the Hours per Week section of your Commitment?

Muttleythefrog

Agree with above... it does seem let putting cart before horse. I understand the desire to assist people back into work but that should be based on the circumstances of health and disability/barriers which have not been established by a WCA yet. All can advise is engage as required pending that WCA.