Incapacity benefit advice ?

sara_501

Hi All

I've been off work sick since last year and just recently had a medical exam

The letter I received said I wouldn't be contacted again until after May '09 - is this usual? Will I be called again before then?

thanks in advance

Sara_501

[Deleted User]

I assume you recently completed an IB50?that being so you must have scored above 15 points to be considered unfit for work,its not unusual for the first award to be for 12 months,they will contact you next year with another IB50 to claim again.
I also assume the monthly interviews with the JC+ are work focused interviews?have they asked you to make an action plan?if so remember you can ignore it once agreed,although dont stop attending the interviews otherwise you could lose benefits.

dmg24

sara_501 wrote: »

they're pathways to work interviews... not sure if that's the same

is once a month interviews normal?

Yep, Work Focused Interviews are part of Pathways. An interview once a month is quite normal x

Oldernotwiser

woodbine wrote: »

I also assume the monthly interviews with the JC+ are work focused interviews?have they asked you to make an action plan?if so remember you can ignore it once agreed,although dont stop attending the interviews otherwise you could lose benefits.

Although you're technically correct, I do wonder why you keep encouraging people to "ignore" any action plans and help offered by JCP to enable people with difficulties to get back in to the workplace. This is the second time you've posted this advice in the last couple of days and I find it negative and unhelpful.

[Deleted User]

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Although you're technically correct, I do wonder why you keep encouraging people to "ignore" any action plans and help offered by JCP to enable people with difficulties to get back in to the workplace. This is the second time you've posted this advice in the last couple of days and I find it negative and unhelpful.

my advice is that you "can" ignore it something alot of people arent aware of and therefore its advice they maybe thankfull for,however if the action plan is a positive and helpful one then its there to be acted upon.I have had examples of action plans consisting of nothing better than useless bits of paper,to some very positive ones.
Its the second time ive posted this as in both cases it seemed as though it may help,i`m unsure as to how you think its unhelpful when its not something the JC+ staff would explain:rolleyes:
The problem with the JC is that they are all about off loading people off I/B,and not really helping them at all,and some of the outside agencies under govt contract are either closing offices or in some cases have already gone into liquidation.

dmg24

woodbine wrote: »

my advice is that you "can" ignore it something alot of people arent aware of and therefore its advice they maybe thankfull for,however if the action plan is a positive and helpful one then its there to be acted upon.I have had examples of action plans consisting of nothing better than useless bits of paper,to some very positive ones.
Its the second time ive posted this as in both cases it seemed as though it may help,i`m unsure as to how you think its unhelpful when its not something the JC+ staff would explain:rolleyes:
The problem with the JC is that they are all about off loading people off I/B,and not really helping them at all,and some of the outside agencies under govt contract are either closing offices or in some cases have already gone into liquidation.

Your view of the JCP is very negative woodbine, and this reflects in your posts. I also picked up on the fact that this is the second time that you have said it.

Whilst the information is helpful to know, perhaps the way that you present it needs to be more balanced? x

[Deleted User]

dmg24 wrote: »

Your view of the JCP is very negative woodbine, and this reflects in your posts. I also picked up on the fact that this is the second time that you have said it.

Whilst the information is helpful to know, perhaps the way that you present it needs to be more balanced? x

possibly,however too many people try and put a positive spin on WFI and pathways,and whilst its true that some people have found them to be helpful its very often the case that the way they are delivered is not so helpful,I just think that those who come on here worried,even frightened about being hauled in for these interviews should be made aware of facts that the staff at JC+ will not be quite so forthcoming with,if that comes across as negative so be it.

dmg24

woodbine wrote: »

possibly,however too many people try and put a positive spin on WFI and pathways,and whilst its true that some people have found them to be helpful its very often the case that the way they are delivered is not so helpful,I just think that those who come on here worried,even frightened about being hauled in for these interviews should be made aware of facts that the staff at JC+ will not be quite so forthcoming with,if that comes across as negative so be it.

Please stop posting in bold, it appears that you are shouting. Again, I'm not the first (or the second) that has mentioned this!

To reiterate what I said earlier, by all means give the information, but please check that it is balanced and therefore not misleading. The way that you have phrased it really does give a bad impression. Perhaps it would be better to say something along the lines of:

If you disagree with points in your plan, then you should discuss this with your Advisor. If you are still unable to agree, it is not actually compulsory to follow through on any of the points. However, if it is seen that you are not complying with the requirements of the Pathways programme, this could affect your benefit entitlement.

Balanced!

[Deleted User]

sorry i wasnt aware that "bold" was shouting,I always thought that was CAPITALS???
The information i gave in the context i gave it was in NO way misleading,having given advice on a number of benefit forums over many years,in an effort to allay the fears of some people, I will post what i see fit to post,whilst you of course must post what you think is right to post.
I wont however be dictated to in any way.

dmg24

woodbine wrote: »

sorry i wasnt aware that "bold" was shouting,I always thought that was CAPITALS???
The information i gave in the context i gave it was in NO way misleading,having given advice on a number of benefit forums over many years,in an effort to allay the fears of some people, I will post what i see fit to post,whilst you of course must post what you think is right to post.
I wont however be dictated to in any way.

No one is telling you to stop posting, nor is anyone dictating to you! However, people will correct you where your information is incorrect or phrased in a way that is misleading.

[Deleted User]

dmg24 wrote: »

No one is telling you to stop posting, nor is anyone dictating to you! However, people will correct you where your information is incorrect or phrased in a way that is misleading.

I never suggested that anyone was telling me to stop posting,I have no objection to being corrected when i`m wrong
(we all learn that way)but only when i`m wrong:beer: