Incapacity Benefit-pathways

tatiepot

Hello everyone,
I wondered if anyone knew what Pathways involved.
I am a new Carer for my husband who suffers from Paranoid Schizophrenia and Bi-polar Disorder.Today, I had to attend an interview at Jobcentreplus, to be honest I was stressed to death but they were very nice I was only there for , at the most 15 minutes, they asked about working and I told them , I couldn't continue my job as they wouldn't give me unpaid leave and my family were falling apart.(another story). Anyway, she mentioned that my husband would probably have to attend an interview with her colleague with regards to his situation being on IB as he was the new Pathways advisor.
Obviously, I haven't mentioned this to him but I am greatly concerned as it would be nigh on impossible to get him to attend. I told the lady this and said that he has never attended any interview due to the severity of his illness and she said, yes, but all that has changed now.
This post is to put my mind at rest because I thought as he has been given ill-health retirement from work , this situation would not arise.
Any comments would be most appreciated.
Thanks for reading.

dmg24

Hi tatiepot,

Welcome to MSE.

Pathways to Work is a programme that looks at getting those on IB back into employment. The focus of the programme is on finding things that the claimant can do, and also looking at how the claimant's health condition can be managed in the workplace.

There is a summary here.

tatiepot

THANKS FOR THAT dmg24, sounds a benefit to help people I guess, but my husband does not even speak to me.He leads a weird existance and doesn't even want to leave the house. I am left to get on with it with a CPN calling in fortnightly who he doesn't speak to either.I guess, honestly, the question is Can they make him go! I guess they could stop his IB, but, truthfully it wouldn't matter at all to him, just to me!

dmg24

Strictly speaking, they can stop his IB if he does not attend.

However, there must be provisions in place for those that have a genuine reason for attending, but I'm not sure what they are. Hopefully someone will be along soon who knows more x

Edit: Have just had a look at the Decision Makers Guide, and the interview can be waived or deferred. If you have a look here, and then go to Volume 1 and Chapter 5, all the information is there x

tatiepot

P.S. My apologies aswell for not saying thank you to dmg24 but I will hit that button too.For the welcome and advice I have read the pathways thread too.
Just to let you know, aswell my husband was a Foreman for the Council and ended up Litter Picking and couldn't cope.
Thanks again

tatiepot

I guess that is the way it will go. Do you think it makes a difference that he gets DLA or that he was retired early from work at 44 years old.Or am I clutching at straws.
Thanks

dmg24

I've edited my above post with more information. The decision would ultimately be down to the decision maker, but a report from your husbands CPN would certainly help if they are initially unwilling to defer or waive the interview.

Just to add, on the link above, search for the information on Incapacity, as the first section applies to Lone Parents x

healy

dmg24 wrote: »

Strictly speaking, they can stop his IB if he does not attend.

However, there must be provisions in place for those that have a genuine reason for attending, but I'm not sure what they are. Hopefully someone will be along soon who knows more x

Yes the interview, it sounds like a work focused interview, can be deferred or waived so if he is called for an interview it would be best to speak to the adviser at the Jobcentre Plus and explain the situation. It is also possible for people to be seen at home if necessary.

tatiepot

Thanks Dmg24 I have read that info, just the fact that if necessary they can do a home visit would be a tremendous help to me. After reading, I thing it was not just an interview for me as a carer but because I have recently put a claim in for Income Support and I am waiting to hear back from them.
I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction. x

tatiepot

Thanks Heally too! there is a bit of a time warp here, as I read everything and there were no posts then hey presto, there you both were!
Many Thanks
The doctors at the hospital and CPN, do help but I guess I still get frightened, I do appreciate your help. XX

dmg24

Not sure if you're aware of the Depression Support Thread? You'll get lots of support and advice there x